Product Details

• Actors: Elvis Presley, Judy Tyler, Mickey Shaughnessy, Vaughn Taylor, Jennifer Holden
• Directors: Richard Thorpe
• Writers: Guy Trosper, Nedrick Young
• Producers: Kathryn Hereford, Pandro S. Berman
• Format: Black & White, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Warner)
• VHS Release Date: July 8, 1997
• Run Time: 96 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304479751
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,568 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Elvis Presley's third and best film is this musical romp released in 1957, just as the Big "E" was reaching the peak of his hip-swiveling pre-army success. Filmed in ultra-cool black and white, the movie stars Elvis as a good ol' boy who saves a woman from an assault but kills her attacker, so he's convicted of manslaughter and sent to jail. While doing time he takes up the guitar and becomes a singing sensation, ready for the big time when he's finally released. He becomes a big star but his inflated ego gets him into trouble with his former cellmate and his new girlfriend. Short on plot but heavy on rock & roll, this EP classic features such hit songs as "Treat Me Nice," "Baby, I Don't Care," "Don't Leave Me Now," and, of course, the classic title song, performed in an elaborate jailhouse number that Elvis choreographed himself. This is Elvis in all his big-screen glory, and the movie's upbeat ending made it a huge success during its original release. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elvis at his cinematic best, August 20, 2002

By 

Scott McKone (Nova Scotia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elvis / Jailhouse Rock [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Slap my hand for being slow to get around to it but I have only recently seen JAILHOUSE ROCK for the first time - in fact at the 25th anniversary of his passing.

Elvis's acting is nothing less than superb in this film. It shows how gifted an actor he REALLY was and how insultingly poor most of the latter scripts were, to effectively lower a talented actor to the level of the writers plots. (The quality of many movie songs is also an insult. I can only have nightmares about any songs that may have not have been good enough to made the cut.)

JAILHOUSE ROCK reminded me what a phenominal "mover" Elvis was, in the league of the finest dancers or athletes. Sadly the memory of his many gifts are often clouded by over the top impressionists and silly glitzy Vegas trinkets. The man was a formidable singing AND acting talent and this film is the proof.

My general feeling is pan and scan stinks and should be avoided at all costs. Enjoy the full width version and see exactly what the director captured as Elvis gave possibly his best film performance ever.

If only we could go back in time...keep Elvis clean of drugs, keep the scripts to this level, and put Col. Parker on a slow boat nowhere.

If I can dream.....

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everybody....Let's Rock...., September 12, 2004

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Elvis / Jailhouse Rock [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Only a year and 2 films after his first introduction into the film biz(Love Me Tender/1956), Elvis displays his flair for acting as he turns in a captivating performance in "Jailhouse Rock"(1957). The range of emotions as he goes from a happy-go-lucky laborer to a sullen and hardened ex-con(and I haven't even gotten to the musical performances yet) is simply amazing. To the delight of his fans, he would go on to make many more films singing and hip-twisting, over the years, but this one, for me is THE ONE!

He plays, Vince Everett, a nice young man who unintentionally killed someone during a brawl. While in the joint,he learns to play the guitar(after being told he had no talent....HA!), and when he gets out tries to sell himself as a musician, with no luck. He starts his own record label, to get himself out there, and along the way, becomes rich and famous. The problem is that his time in prison has hardened his heart and soul, and a few people get hurt along the way.

Needless to say the musical performances by Elvis are absolutly outstanding. The "Jailhouse Rock" number is so wonderfully choregraphed and filmed, it's a sight to behold. A couple of the other great songs we are treated to in this fabulous musical are, "Young and Beautiful", and "Treat Me Nice".

Directed by Richard Thorpe, the cast includes Mickey Shaughnessy, Dean Jones and Judy Tyler, as Peggy,the girl who hangs in there even after being used and abused by Elvis(can you blame her?)

This film is a cinematic treasure, one that may be enjoyed by film fans and music fans alike. Just try and get "Jailhouse Rock" out of your head after the view!

enjoy..Laurie

also recommended:
Studs Lonigan (1960)
Almost Famous/American Beauty

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the Kings best films...great restoration!, August 8, 2007

By 

Richardson "Clarence" (Sunny California USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Jailhouse Rock (Deluxe Edition) (DVD)

One of Elvis' very best films ( I know that's not saying much but this IS a good one)...and its been upgraded substantially by Warner Bros from the previous edition.
the bonus featurette is okay...could have been much better with more artists and less "writers" as talking heads...Russ Tamblyn was a nice addition!

an all time Rock movie classic ...and from my standpoint a must own..
black and white and widescreen print.