Elvis was so big in 1957 that this smash wasn't even his biggest hit that year: according to. It opened nationally on November 8. “Jailhouse Rock” is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. [11] Richard Thorpe, who had the reputation of quickly finishing his projects, was chosen to direct the film. Jailhouse Rock was Presley's third film and his first for MGM. Look favored the movie, describing the reception of an audience in a Los Angeles theater that "registered, loud and often, its approval of what may accurately be described as the star's first big dramatic singing role. In commemoration, Elvis' record label re-released this in the UK where it went straight to #1, making it the oldest recording ever to top the UK charts. In the movie of the same name, Jailhouse Rock, Presley did an elaborate number of dancing inside the jail with the song. In April, Leiber and Stoller were called for a meeting in New York City to show the progress of the repertoire. Vince records "Treat Me Nice" which Peggy takes to Geneva Records. Presley was impressed by Stoller and convinced MGM to cast him as the band's pianist in the film. In April 1957, the studio called a meeting with the writers in New York City to be updated on the progress of the work. "[47] Within a few months, Vince officially becomes a star. Sha-Na-Na played this at Woodstock in 1969. The rest of the UK Top 10 on January 24th, 1958: The next day, Peggy informs Vince that the song has been sold. He was taken to the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, where he spent the night after the cap was removed. Stukka63 from St.augustine,fla. The elaborate choreography for the title tune, the long takes and uninterrupted screen time given to the other numbers, and the musical pacing—the rock 'n' roll builds in quality and intensity—all show an indigenous appreciation of Presley's rock 'n' Roll. However, Peggy is no longer on speaking terms with Vince, as his success has made him arrogant. [52] In 2004, Jailhouse Rock was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, as it was deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. Although they had never met before, the one week older Tamblyn and Presley got along fine, immediately, then practiced a few moves and by the next morning, Presley had the complicated scene totally within his grasp, resulting in the scene often been cited as his greatest musical moment on screen. A monthly update on our latest interviews, stories and added songs, This was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who also wrote ". In an odd twist, the next five positions on both charts were also the same songs: "Wake Up Little Susie" by the Everly Brothers, "You Send Me" by Sam Cooke, "Silhouettes" by the Rays, "Be-Bop Baby" by Ricky Nelson, and "Honeycomb" by Jimmie Rodgers. Millions of kids learned about grammar, history, and astronomy from them. The song was released as a 45rpm single on September 24, 1957, to coincide with the release of Presley’s…, Jailhouse Rock (Live at the Montreal Forum, 1981), Jailhouse Rock Medley (Live at the Hammersmith Odeon, 1975), Medley: Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On [On Stage in Memphis]. Lyrics to 'Jailhouse Rock' by Elvis Presley: The warden threw a party in the county jail The prison band was there and they began to wail The band was jumpin' and the joint began to swing You should've heard those knocked out jailbirds sing [35] Leiber and Stoller were invited to the recording session of April 30, where they met Presley. Cyndi Lauper came up with the title "Time After Time" when she saw it in TV Guide magazine. This was featured in the Elvis movie of the same name, where Elvis plays a wrongly accused convict who becomes a star when he gets out. Meanwhile, during an inmate riot in the mess hall, a guard shoves Vince, who retaliates by striking the guard. Jimi Hendrix followed Sha-Na-Na to close out the festival. [22] Impressed with the dance sequence, Kelly himself applauded the final product. After the song was recorded, it was clear that it was going to be a hit, so the movie was renamed Jailhouse Rock. The wife of producer Pandro S. Berman convinced him to produce a film with Presley in the lead role. Leiber and Stoller, who had not written any material, traveled to New York where, instead of working, they toured the city. Before pre-production began, songwriters Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber were commissioned to integrate the film's soundtrack. The line, "Number 47 said to number 3, You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see," is a sly reference to prison sex but was not offensive enough to create any controversy over the song. Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise" was the first-ever country single to earn diamond certification (10 million units sold) from the RIAA. The movie got its name from this song. Boyca remarked upon the low production costs of the film, and said that Presley was "in top singing and personality form. "[44] British magazine The Spectator described Presley's evolution from his "silly" performance in Loving You to "dangerously near being repulsive. "[17] The film is famous for the dance sequence (also choreographed by Presley) in which Presley sings the title track while on stage, cavorting with other "inmates" through a set which resembles a block of jail cells. [17] The Parent-Teacher Association described the movie as "a hackneyed, blown-up tale with cheap human values. Vince then signs a movie deal with Climax Studios. Just saying. Berman delegated the casting to Benny Thau, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and Abraham Lastfogel, then-president of the William Morris Agency. You shoulda heard those locked down jailbirds sing, let’s rock! [32], Jailhouse Rock earned mixed reviews from critics. The brothers and the band are seen playing this song to their fellow inmates. Weird Al Yankovic proposed a parody of "Black Or White" called "Snack All Night," but Michael Jackson asked him not to. Vince is surprised when the club owner denies him a job as a singer but offers him a job as a bar boy. [32] Presley, moved by the death of his co-star, did not attend the film premiere. It also became the third single to hit #1 twice in the UK, following ", In 2007, Chris Rock performed this on the, The Cramps recorded a version of this on the CD. "[2][3] In 2019, the Ultimate Classic Rock website named it the best rock movie of 1957. The dance sequence to the film's title song is often cited as "Presley's greatest moment on screen". John Leguizamo slams Latinx support for Trump. To test it, he sings "Young and Beautiful" to Peggy, which reassures him that his fears are unfounded. Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and dramatized by Guy Trosper from a story written by Nedrick Young, the film is about a young man sentenced to prison for manslaughter who is mentored in music by his prison cellmate who realizes his musical abilities. [17][26][27] Shooting was resumed the next day. Elvis Presley, Jailhouse Rock. [17] Alex Romero, who created moves inspired by Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, who incidentally was present at the wings when the first dress rehearsals for the scene were executed, tried his best to choreograph the sequence. When Leiber and Stoller wrote it, the film was titled Ghost of a Chance. He let the head of the studio, Benny Thau, and Abe Lastfogel, president of the William Morris Agency, decide the cast. Ever wonder how this jail party ends? Mötley Crüe included a live version recorded at a show in Long Beach, California on their 1987 album. The title was a play on this song. [33][nb 1], Before the production began, rock 'n' roll songwriting partners Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller were commissioned to create the film's soundtrack. Test your metal - Priest, Maiden, and Beavis and Butt-head show up in this one. The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists: "Complete National Film Registry Listing | Film Registry | National Film Preservation Board | Programs at the Library of Congress | Library of Congress", "Librarian of Congress Adds 25 Films to National Film Registry", "Elvis in 'Jailhouse Rock' Keeps Fans in Tears", "Young Judy Tyler Gives Her Formula for Broadway Success", Cue: The Weekly Magazine of New York Life, "Jailhouse Rock – Synopsis/ Jailhouse Rock – Review", "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–2012", Elvis sings The Wonderful World of Christmas, From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee, Elvis Presley: The Searcher (The Original Soundtrack), From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis, Amazing Grace: His Greatest Sacred Performances, Command Performances: The Essential 60s Masters II, Suspicious Minds: The Memphis 1969 Anthology, The King of Rock 'n' Roll: The Complete 50's Masters, From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters, Walk a Mile in My Shoes: The Essential '70s Masters, Peace in the Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings, The Frank Sinatra Timex Show: Welcome Home Elvis, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jailhouse_Rock_(film)&oldid=981159370, United States National Film Registry films, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, "Jailhouse Rock" co-writer Mike Stoller (of the, This page was last edited on 30 September 2020, at 16:49.