Loving You

Loving You is an American motion picture directed by Hal Kanter, released by Paramount Pictures on July 9, 1957. The film stars Elvis Presley, Lizabeth Scott (in her final major film role) and Wendell Corey. It is Presley's second movie, his first in Technicolor and the first with his character as the primary focus.

NBC bought the rights to the film in later years (unlike most Elvis films released by Paramount that were acquired by Viacom years before becoming the former's parent company, with Magnetic Video and CBS/Fox Video holding video rights before 1997), and the underlying rights to this film are now held by Universal Studios through its 2004 merger with NBC (Universal also owns most of Paramount's pre-1950 sound features, and five Alfred Hitchcock films originally released by Paramount). NBC technically continues to hold the copyright, while US video rights are held by Lionsgate Home Entertainment under NBC's license (at one point such rights were owned by Warner Home Video).

Synopsis

Markle and Warner, believing in his potential, want to promote the talented newcomer to fame and fortune, giving him every break they feel he deserves. At first, Warner, a washed-up country music entertainer, sees Deke's addition to the act as merely a side act, and that Warner will return to the limelight. He learns the painful truth after Glenda tearfully tells him that the promoters she works with don't want Warner anymore...and that Deke is their only shot left at the big-time.

Primary Cast

Background

Following the release of Love Me Tender Presley had complained that he felt uncomfortable playing a character so different to his own personality. Writer and director Hal Kanter, who was working on a movie version of Mary Agnes Thompson's short story A Call For Mitch Miller, spent time with Presley in December 1956 to get a better understanding of his individuality as a person and performer. Using this research he was able to adjust his script to suit Presley's persona for the lead role.

The film originally had three working titles; Lonesome Cowboy, Something for the Girls, and Running Wild. The latter was used by Ed Sullivan when Presley made his final appearance on his show. However, by the time Presley showed up for filming the title had been changed to match the Leiber & Stoller song "Loving You". The script had been written to suit the inclusion of songs specifically written for the film, a practice that would continue throughout most of Presley's Hollywood career.

For his first role in Technicolor, Presley decided that he would look better on screen with dark hair. His screen idols, including Tony Curtis, had dark hair and Presley had always admired their acting abilities and the way they looked on screen. He decided to dye his hair black and with a few exceptions, including his time in the U.S. Army, he would keep it dyed for the rest of his life.

Presley's parents, Gladys and Vernon, were both present during the filming of the final scene of the film and appeared on screen during the musical number. Following Gladys' death a year later, Presley insisted that he would never watch the film again because it would remind him too much of his mother.

Loving You premiered in Memphis on July 10, 1957 at the Strand Theater. Presley did not go to that showing, instead opting to take current girlfriend Anita Wood and his parents to a private midnight screening. The film opened nationally on July 30, 1957 and peaked at #7 on the Variety National Box Office Survey.

Presley reported for work on January 21 1957, and filming completed on March 8.

Soundtrack

References

External links

Category:1957 films Category:1950s musical films Category:1950s romance films Category:American musical drama films Category:American romantic drama films Category:American romantic musical films Category:Paramount films Category:Films directed by Hal Kanter