Flaming Star (1960)

Undescribable Perfection

Pretty Good

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Elvis Presley does a lot of acting but barely any singing in this gripping film version of Clair Huffakers' novel, scripted by the author and Nunnally Johnson. The King plays Pacer Burton, a half breed living in West Texas after the Civil War. His father is white rancher Sam Burton (John McIntire), and his mother is former Kiowa tribe member Neddy Burton (Dolores del Rio). The Burton family tries not to get involved when Neddy's people start to wage war, but Pacer will eventually have to make a choice as to which side he'll take.There are two songs, both of which are over and done with before the ten minute mark, leaving us with a fairly meaty story of racism, tolerance, and loyalty, a number of very credible performances, and some well executed action scenes. The great Don Siegel is in fine form as he directs the film towards an emotional finish, and gives us a couple of startlingly violent moments along the way. Of course, this being 1960, Hollywood still wasn't ready to be truly politically correct when it came to the portrayal of Indians in American film. However, the story does have characters whom one can understand even if they don't condone what they do."Flaming Star" has some very poignant moments (the "flaming star" of the title is an omen of death), all enhanced by a rousing, moving music score composed by Cyril J. Mockridge and Irving Gertz. Lovely widescreen photography is another strong asset.The King is highly engaging in the lead, delivering a performance of real depth and passion. Films like this show that he could be genuinely good as an actor without falling back on charm. The supporting cast is excellent, and full of familiar faces: Steve Forrest (as Pacers' older half brother), Barbara Eden, del Rio, McIntire, Rodolfo Acosta, Karl Swenson, Ford Rainey, Richard Jaeckel, L.Q. Jones, Perry Lopez, Virginia Christine, Roy Jenson, Red West. Horror genre legend Barbara Steele was originally cast in Edens' part, but walked off the picture after an argument with Siegel."Flaming Star" remains an emotionally affecting film for much of its relatively brief duration (92 minutes all told).Eight out of 10.

"Flaming Star" is a Western hailed as one of Elvis Presley's best serious-acting gigs. It came out in 1960 and was his 6th film in four years.Elvis stars as Pacer, a half-breed, living in the wilderness with his white father (John McIntire) & older brother (Steve Forrest) and Indian mother (Delores Del Rio). Barbara Eden is also on hand as a britches-wearing girl with eyes for Pacer's brother. Things get tense when a band of Kiowas starts attacking settlers and request Pacer's assistance. Aside from the title song over the credits, Elvis only sings one song near the beginning. Beyond that, this is a serious Western with flashes of tragic violence. It's worthwhile for Elvis fans and a few other worthy factors (great wilderness locations, Barbara Eden, etc.), but it's not really a good film.As a Western, "Flaming Star" has too much of what made Westerns in general laughable before the 60s. There are many exceptions, like "The Last Wagon" from 1956, but -- generally speaking -- the downside of Westerns before the 60s include contrived plot elements, an unrealistic vibe, bad music, white actors playing Natives and dumb Indian dialogue. "Flaming Star" is guilty on at least three of these counts.As far as contrived plot elements go, there are just too many "Yeah, right" moments. For instance the guy who survives the Indian raid and hides out in a hole in the desert for days, half-dead and half-mad, just waiting to be used to move along the story. Or the scene where Pacer and his brother threaten a little girl to attain the services of the town's doctor -- they let the girl go BEFORE taking the doctor. Why would the doctor go with them if the girl was no longer in danger? Why wouldn't the town's people attack them once the girl is freed? Or the two cowboys who seek hospitality at Pacer's ranch, would ANYONE really be that rude and savage to two people kindly offering them help, half-breed or not? Bad scripting like this just takes the viewer right out of the story.The white actors in Indian roles present a huge problem visually. How could anyone assume Pacer is an Indian since he looks (and dresses and sings) exactly like a white dude, not to mention the other Indians. Delores Del Rio looks more Hispanic than Native, why assume she's an Indian? Despite this, the Natives are portrayed fairly realistically. What kills it is the lame dialogue they're stuck with, words & phrasing that would make Tonto proud. I couldn't help mimicking such lingo with my wife after the film: "Me Chiefy Wiefy go to front room to listen to pleasant noise while moon lodge high in sky" (lol). At least "Flaming Star" is entertaining in this respect, it's just not the kind of entertainment the filmmakers intended.If you want to catch a great Western from the same period check out Marlon Brando's "One-Eyed Jacks," released in 1961. It's the seminal 60's Western and far superior to most of the Spaghetti Westerns it influenced. What's really interesting is that Brando was originally supposed to play the role of Pacer in "Flaming Star" and the script was later rewritten for Elvis. Marlon, thankfully, chose to invest his time, money and talents into the making of "One-Eyed Jacks." "Flaming Star" was shot in Utah and Thousand Oaks, California, and runs 92 minutes (but seems longer, in a bad way).BOTTOM LINE: "Flaming Star" is worthwhile for Presley fans and a few other factors. It's got a good, serious vibe and is sometimes violent; it also has great wilderness locations. But it's shackled by most of the things that made Westerns eye-rolling experiences before the 60s and 70s (not that all Westerns in the modern era are good, of course). You could sum it up as a curious Elvis-led period piece.GRADE: C-

FLAMING STAR is generally regarded as the film which provided Elvis Presley the best performance of his disappointing film career.It is totally out of kilter in what you would expect from a typical Elvis "romp".With a top director (Don Siegel),a literate script and story (by western veteran Clair Huffaker) and a solid supporting cast (John McIntire,Dolores Del Rio,Steve Forrest,Barbara Eden) behind him,there is indeed a very good case for this being the King's best dramatic performance,along with his other two oft-quoted top big screen vehicles (JAILHOUSE ROCK,KING CREOLE).Elvis himself only sings two songs,over the titles and in a fairly light-hearted opening scene during a birthday party for his half-brother (Forrest) involving family and friends at his parents' ranch.After these jollities,things quickly turn very grim;in a surprisingly graphic (for it's time) sequence,the friends aforementioned are brutally massacred by a group of Kiowa Indians;it is revealed soon after that Elvis is half-white,half Kiowa,and finds himself on the receiving end of much racist abuse from the same family and local townspeople thereafter.After seeing his parents killed,he decides he's had enough of the hostility he receives for being a half-breed,and reluctantly returns to his mother's people.But after witnessing a Kiowa attack on his brother,he again changes sides and nurses his half-sibling,guiding him by horse into town for medical treatment.But being torn between two races becomes too much for him;he rides into town one more time to bid goodbye to his brother,and rides away,dying,into the valley to see the 'flaming star',like his mother before her passing.All this is very well done,with a convincing performance by Presley.He shows himself perfectly capable of delivering his lines persuasively and effectively,with the right kind of resonance and depth;the number of sad,terrible events that overtake his life are believably conveyed,and he more than holds his own with such reliables as McIntire and Ms Del Rio.If there is a problem with FLAMING STAR,it is so relentlessly solemn and downbeat,with so many tragic events and often brutal killings abound.Siegel does a fine job of the direction (particularly with the action,in which he was always something of a master),but the sheer gloominess of the plot does not make for great entertainment;escapism this definitely isn't.This was probably the reason it wasn't a particular box-office success when first released;Elvis' manager,Colonel Tom Parker (curiously credited as a consultant on the film) apparently got cold feet after FLAMING STAR,and decided to plop Elvis into the fluffy,trite,and later increasingly asinine musicals for which he became so familiar with the next film onwards,in which all virtually had the same plot.Presley himself tired of this,and stopped making films in 1970.This was a considerable shame as Elvis certainly proved he was a perfectly good movie actor in this and his two other best films (as mentioned previously); if the script,production team,supporting cast and story were up to scratch.Post-FLAMING STAR,he rarely at all got the chance to work with anything like this quality,and although the King of rock n'roll was never the King of movie acting,subjects like FLAMING STAR proved that he was by no means a peasant or commoner when decent material was at his disposal.It is something of a tragedy that the Colonel didn't present him with such after this film.RATING:6 and a half out of 10.

Line Elvis Presley up with a good script, great direction, and a plausible plot and you get "Flaming Star". Although the film could've done without his singing, at least it comes across as a natural part of the birthday party sequence and isn't overwhelming and stupid. Don Siegel, of Clint Eastwood fame, was always a good director, and much underrated. He holds this film together well, with Elvis as a half white, half Kiowa young man who must decide where his allegiance lies when the Indians have finally had enough of the whites. Addresses well the issues of prejudice in an era when that was mostly taboo. A couple of chilling moments, and a gritty performance by the always competent John McIntyre as Elvis' father. Barbara Eden is subdued as the love interest, and Delores Del Rio is simply wonderful as his long suffering mother. The skirmishes are well handled, and the ending is not trite, but realistic. Many claim Elvis did better work in his earlier films, but I disagree, this is his best effort, and a solid one at that. Tune in just to watch Elvis handle the two baddies who try to take advantage of his mother -- you NEVER mess with Elvis' mother!