Roustabout (1964)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Blistering performances.

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

my above summary cleverly leaves out some negatives: too many songs (as good as they all are, esp. a Classic remake of a semi-hit for the COASTERS, called LITTLE Egypt) and too many embarrassing moments from a script just one draft short of "done".we must believe that Elvis, as itinerant odd-jobber, riding his Honda (in lieu of a Harley? Paramount, how could ya?), geetah strapped on back (his best gig is rockin' wherever there's an opening) gave his role some thought as the great Barbara Stanwyck took the challenge to play Owner of struggling Carny.yes, the Big El swaggers in, reluctantly to...save the day and fall in....NO SPOILER!. Elvis really sells his scenes (a coupla times, I had to look away, in epic embarrassment, but...OK).typically, he has to fight off young ladies and middle aged drunks. (fight scenes are pretty damm good).most of the vinyl and CD soundtrack is horribly mixed. as usual, the *movie* mix is more professional.NOTE: terrific, uptempo "alternate" theme song, I'M A ROUSTABOUT, was canned, originally, in favor of the more politically-correct Perry Como style tune. thankfully, it finally came out in the early 2000s! check it out!

I know Elvis Presley made better films after this (at least in my mind) but this must have been the beginning of the end of his movie career. The only reason I give this 4 out of 10 is because there is makings of a decent movie here. But the writing is so bad, and Elvis is made to sing a bunch of ridiculous songs (except Little Egypt.) This movie makes me hate Colonel Parker more than I already hate him. There is a story here about a young man who ends up working in a carnival and falling for a girl (basis for all EP movies.) But with a supporting cast such as this, it should have been better. It had Barbara Stanwyck in it for goodness sake, not to mention several veteran character actors. I think by this point Elvis didn't care anymore because why would he make such schlock. He must have been forced into it because he needed the money to keep up the Colonel and his ever growing entourage. He deserved better than this.

I really enjoyed this comedy because I love Elvis's acting. I think he should also tried to pursue his second career as an actor in Hollywood beside his singing career. He always tired to be funny in his movies. I also love his singing. Through the year of 1956 to 1967. I think his voice quality still maintained the early Elvis singing quality which I like the most. Of course the song "Roustabout," he really demonstrated his character greatly. Overall, I love the movie- Roustabout. If people listen Elvis's recording in that movie, then they should notice that his voice sounded different compares his recordings from 1968 to 1977. I think I'm a big of early Elvis. He was a good looking guy with a beautiful voice.

Welcome to 1964. Elvis is still stuck in movie limbo, the Beatles are ready to conquer America, and this movie pops up. Elvis has one of his better roles since Flaming Star, as he plays a angry young man named Charlie Rogers, who is not that likable at all. After Charlie gets sprung for getting in a fight with some college students, he heads down the road to nowhere for the next gig. That's when he meets Maggie, Cathy, and Joe. Joe runs him off the road and destroys the Big E's guitar and 'cycle in the process. Maggie offers him a job as a roustabout in her carnival until his bike is repaired.Elvis sheds the family friendly 60s image for this role. He is a cross between likable and a jerk. He has the benefit of working with a fine supporting cast. Barbara Stanwyck shines as Maggie, who lives and breathes the carnival life (She also keeps this film from being just average). Joan Freeman is great as Cathy, a love interest that plays much harder to get than any other Elvis movie femme fatale. Even Billy Barty shows up in a short role. Steve Brodie and Iris Adrian show up again to reprise their loud, annoying husband/wife roles (they just have different names and backgrounds in this one). The King manages to belt out 11 forgettable songs that include his better than average take on "Little Egypt". This film also shows an era when the carnival was a profitable business (I laughed at seeing an orchestra pit inside a carnival tent). The 'Wall of Death' scene was also the basis of the Irish film, Eat The Peach. All in all, a better than average performance for Elvis in a standard formula film.