King Creole

1958

King Creole

Critics Consensus

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100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 21

83%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 7,162
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Movie Info

Elvis Presley delivers one of his finest early performances in King Creole. Elvis plays a teenager named Danny Fisher, who is forced to drop out of school to help support his ineffective father (Dean Jagger). Drawn to trouble like a magnet, Danny is saved from a jail term by New Orleans salloonkeeper Charlie Le Grand (Paul Stewart), who gives the boy a job as a singer. It isn't long, however, before local gang boss Maxie Fields (Walter Matthau), a shadowy figure from Danny's criminal past, puts the muscle on the boy, insisting that Danny sing at his establishment. To lure Danny to his side of the fence, Maxie relies upon the seductive charms of his gun moll Ronnie (Carolyn Jones), while Danny's true love Nellie (Dolores Hart) suffers on the sidelines. In addition to the expected musical numbers (which are cleverly integrated into the storyline), the film's highlight is a brief exchange of fisticuffs between Elvis and Walter Matthau. Together with Jailhouse Rock, King Creole is one of the best filmed examples of the untamed, pre-army Elvis Presley. The picture was adapted from Harold Robbins' novel A Stone for Danny Fisher. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Cast

Elvis Presley
as Danny Fisher
Carolyn Jones
as Ronnie
Dolores Hart
as Nellie
Dean Jagger
as Mr. Fisher
Walter Matthau
as Maxie Fields
Vic Morrow
as Shark
Paul Stewart
as Charlie Le Grand
Jan Shepard
as Mimi Fisher
Jack Grinnage
as Dummy
Brian G. Hutton
as Sal
Liliane Montevecchi
as 'Forty' Nina
Dick Winslow
as Eddie Burton
Raymond Bailey
as Mr. Evans
Ziva Rodann
as Entertainer
Franklyn Farnum
as Drugstore Lunch Counter Patron
Val Avery
Hazel Boyne
as Woman Who Asks for Water
Franklin Farnum
Minta Durfee Arbuckle
Kitty White
as Street Vendor (uncredited)
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Critic Reviews for King Creole

All Critics (21) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (21)

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Audience Reviews for King Creole

  • Aug 15, 2009
    King Creole was the first Elvis movie that I saw and I found out it was a good movie. Unlike many singers who try out their ability at acting, Elvis is actually a pretty good actor. Before watching King Creole, I never watched any of Elvis's movies because I thought that they would all be musicals and just be a bunch of people singing and acting crazy. But after watching King Creole I found out I was wrong. It was a good drama movie and now I understand why Elvis was in so many movies, not because he was a popular singer but he could also be a great actor. Walter Matthau and the rest of the supporting actors and actresses also did a good job. It's about how Elvis became a singer at a local club and gaining fame for his ability while trying to stay away from a group of punks who threatened him if he didn't cooperate. It's an all around great movie and I recommend it to anyone. Now I'll probably give a lot more Elvis movies a chance after seeing King Creole. NOTE: That was my Amazon review from the year 2000. It's still the only Elvis movie I've ever seen. I've never been a huge fan of his, I just like a few of his songs, but wouldn't mind seeing some more of his films.
    Jason O Super Reviewer
  • Jul 04, 2008
    Poor acting again by Elvis
    Terri H Super Reviewer
  • Jun 03, 2007
    Probably the closest you're going to get to a "proper" film starring Elvis. It has some semblance of plot, the B&W photography is nice and the songs do not seem quite so intrusive. It was obviously trying to cash in one the burgeoning "teen" bandwagon, but not bad.
    xGary X Super Reviewer
  • Oct 31, 2006
    My favorite Elvis movie. Kind of a James Dean story but Matthau is fun to watch.
    Michael G Super Reviewer
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