Love Me Tender

1956

Love Me Tender

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

Love Me Tender Photos

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Movie Info

Elvis Presley made his motion picture debut in the Civil War drama Love Me Tender. Elvis, however, is not the star of the proceedings: that honor goes jointly to Richard Egan and Debra Paget. The story concerns three brothers--Egan, William Campbell and James Drury--who steal a Union payroll on behalf of the Confederacy, only to discover that the war is over and that they're now technically outlaws. Rather than return the money, the brothers divvy it up amongst themselves. Upon returning home, Egan discovers that his sweetheart (Debra Paget) has married Elvis, his youngest brother. Since Love Me Tender has been played incessantly on TV since the early 1960s, it is giving away nothing to reveal that the film is one of two in which Elvis Presley's character dies at the end. Naturally, Elvis is afforded plenty of opportunities to sing: the scene in which he launches into an anachronistic hip-swivelling performance at a county fair is one of the high points of mid-1950s kitsch. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating:

NR
Genre:

Classics, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Western
Directed By:

Robert D. Webb
Written By:

Robert Buckner
In Theaters:

Nov 15, 1956 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Aug 13, 2002
Runtime:

94 minutes
Studio:

Fox

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Cast

Elvis Presley
as Clint Reno

Debra Paget
as Cathy Reno

Richard Egan
as Vance Reno

William Campbell
as Brett Reno

Robert Middleton
as Siringo

Neville Brand
as Mike Gavin

Mildred Dunnock
as The Mother

Bruce Bennett
as Maj. Kincaid

James Drury
as Ray Reno

Russ Conway
as Ed Galt

Kenneth Clark
as Kelso

Barry Coe
as Davis

Paul E. Burns
as Jethro

L.Q. Jones
as Fleming

Jerry Sheldon
as Conductor

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Critic Reviews for Love Me Tender

All Critics (11) | Top Critics (1) | DVD (3)

[Elvis Presley] has all the emotions that he has heretofore expressed merely with larynx and pelvis.

Sep 21, 2018 | Full Review…

Archer Winsten
New York Post
Top Critic
Without The King, Love Me Tender is a decent horse opera that has more stand-and-talk moments than shoot-'em-ups....But Elvis really does add interest.

Mar 30, 2016 | Rating: B- | Full Review…

James Plath
Family Home Theater
Elvis's debut film and only time billed as a supporting actor.

Jul 5, 2013 | Rating: B | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
one of Elvis' most compelling works, despite a forced, artificial ending.

Aug 2, 2009 | Rating: 4/5

Blake French
Filmcritic.com
Elvis' debut in movies, and not a bad production. Set in Civil War with nice title song.

Feb 21, 2008 | Rating: 3/5

Steve Crum
Video-Reviewmaster.com
...in the long run of things, his performance transcends the material.

Sep 4, 2002 | Rating: 5/10

John J. Puccio
Movie Metropolis

View All Critic Reviews (11)

Audience Reviews for Love Me Tender

Sep 05, 2010

This is Elvis' first movie, so if you're a fan you wont want to miss it. I saw it a long time ago, so I don't remember it very well, but I do remember liking it. I'll have to see it again.

Aj V Super Reviewer
Sep 27, 2007

SOOO intense! Best movie I've seen in long time!!!

Dannielle A Super Reviewer