“King Creole” with Elvis Presley at the Chappaqua Library tonight

April 24, 2009
by Carol Durst

For some of us, it is hard to think back 50 years and recall the social stigmas of “bad” boys who got into fights and “bad” girls who took an active interest in sex. This film opens with the New Orleans morning call, “crawfish!!!!” and the music swings us back to that long-ago time and place. Yes, Elvis starts to swing his hips here, and Ed Sullivan would not allow his TV cameras to show that on his Sunday evening program - but you sure do see it here.

This 1958 black and white film demonstrates some of Elvis’ best acting, most lyrical singing and greatest self-assurance as he matures in his performance right before our eyes. The story line offers a few clichés of the times and some interesting twists, (it is based on a novel by Harold Robbins, A Stone for Danny Fisher) with a cast that was about to become the Hollywood “A” list. Elvis’ costars included Carolyn Jones, Walter Matthau and Vic Morrow. 

The music became Elvis’ sixth album and he is backed by terrific musicians through every song. One can imagine this film with its intended lead, James Dean, as the “troubled” young man, but once Elvis was engaged, the music moved the story into his terrain. 

Classic scenes around the family dinner table, drinking scenes in the clubs and the mobster’s lair ground this in the 1950’s, and the black and white images of early morning and late night New Orleans make this an intriguing film noir. The film was directed by Michael Curtiz, who also directed Casablanca, Mildred Pierce and Yankee Doodle Dandy among many others. It was produced by Hal Willis, who was nominated for 16 Academy awards.

I promise the home baking will be straight from the South. Come join us at the Chappaqua Library theatre tonight at 7:00 p.m!

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