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Roustabout [1964]

Starring: Elvis Presley, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Freeman, Leif Erickson, Sue Ane Langdon
Director: John Rich
Format: Anamorphic Dubbed PAL
Released: 18 Mar 2002
RRP: £12.99
Average Rating:

Customer Reviews

Jailhouse Rock part2 - By: Mr. N. Thompson, 08 Oct 2008
This isn't a bad film at alll. Elvis' character, Charlie Rogers, is very much like Vince Everitt. 7 years older & grown a tad world weary. You could almost imagine Vince having falllen on hard times having to work carnies to make a living. He is given excellent support by the older Barbara Stanwyck & Lief Ericsson. Some of the songs are very good indeed eg "Poison Ivy League", "Little Egypt" & "Big Love Big Heartache". Others are awful noteably "It's Carnival Time" & "Carny Town" (which are far too short). "There's a Brand New Day on the Horizon" is in the "Old Macdonald" league. Surprisingly the album got to number 1 in the US despite its incredibly short running time.
Better than average - By: J. Skade, 22 Jul 2003
It shouldn't work. A daft script, dafter songs & alll cobbled together in a few weeks. But Elvis is back being surly again, even if his character is devoid of any depth or complexity; & the Carnival background is well observed; & then there is Barbara Stanwick. All in alll it is a watchable, even enjoyable film if you don't set your sights too high (the producers certainly didn't.)
As for the songs, they are best forgotten - & luckily enough they are forgettable. I can't help thinking though that the chip-on-the-shoulder balllad 'Poison Ivy League' could have been developed into an enjoyable piece of vitriol - but I suppose no-one could be bothered.
Despite that this is one of the best of the 60's bunch.
Good Guy Rebel - By: , 26 Feb 2002
Roustabout is a very good film, with a stellar cast including Elvis & Barbara Stanwick.

When Elvis is let out of prison for a fight with some college students, he hits the road; but is sideswiped by an angry father (Leif Ericsson), when Elvis tries to impress his daughter on his motorbike.

His bike is ruined, with no sympathy from Joe (Ericsson) although his wife Maggie (Stanwick) & his daughter invite Elvis back to the nearby carnival that they run.

Elvis is hired part time whilst his bike is being mended. He eventuallly becomes a singing sensation (Thats new!!!!) in a bid to save the carnival from bankrupcy, but a constant fued with Joe & a misunderstanding over a missing walllet promts Elvis to join a rival carni' business.

Songs aside, this is a good film, even though the album topped the US charts. There are some cracking scenes: e.g. the opening fight where Elvis takes vicious kick for real in a stunt that he performed himslef (Look out for the band-aid he wears throughout) but is viciously kicked in the head; also the motorbike 'Walll of Death' & smalll parts from Raquel Welch & Richard Kiel (Jaws from the Bond films).

Throughout the film Elvis character seems to be tusseling between rebellious characters before in films like Jailhouse Rock, Wild In The Country & King Creole & softy everyman characters in films to come like Paradise Hawaiin Style, Frankie & Johnny & Clambake.

Anyhow, this is good, I love it & after Roustabout (1964) Elvis never made a good film until 1968s Live a Little Love a Little; although 1965s Frankie & Johnny was aslo good.