WILD IN THE COUNTRY

US, 1961, 114 minutes, Colour.
Elvis Presley, Hope Lange, Tuesday Weld, Millie Perkins, John Ireland, Gary Lockwood.
Directed by Philip Dunne.

Wild In The Country was an attempt to give Elvis Presley a more serious star vehicle than his routine musicals. 20th Century Fox also did this at the same time starring him in Flaming Star, directed by Don Siegel.

Clifford Odets (Golden Boy, Story on Page One) adapted a novel by J. R. Salamanca for this film, directed by Philip Dunne (Prince of Players, Hilda Crane, Blue Denim, Ten North Frederick). The film received the De Luxe Colour treatment in Cinemascope. Presley, who portrayed a rough young brother with creative potential in a small town, had three leading ladies: Hope Lange as a counsellor, Tuesday Weld as the girl around town contrasting with Millie Perkins as the prim girl.

There is a supporting cast which includes John Ireland, Gary Lockwood and Rafer Johnson in a small role. Presley gets to sing the title song - as well as a song to each of his leading ladies (worked thematically into the plot).

The film was made at a time when psychology was still of cinema interest but of suspicion to the popular audience. An interesting variation on the usual Presley film.

1. Entertaining film? Star vehicle? Elvis Presley in more serious story and role? The film as a piece of Americana?

2. Production values, colour photography, the atmosphere of the small town, Cinemascope? Musical score, the insertion of songs - the title song, the particular song to each of the women stars? Inserted thematically into the plot?

3. Elvis Presley and his image by 1960? Putting him in a film where he had to exhibit both physical strength and intelligence? Creative potential? The opening fight - the clash with Hank, with his father - and this continuing throughout the film, especially in the inquest scene? Glenn and his going before the Parole Board, Macey taking his side, Irene interested in him? His going to work with his cousin? The cousin's plan for Glenn to marry Noreen and become her baby's stepfather? His hard work for his cousin? The discussions with Noreen and being in the same house with her? His relating to her wildness and passion? The contrast with Betty Lee and her primness, her family and their expectations? Taking her out and the clash with Cliff Macey and his friends? His going to counselling sessions with Irene - his initial hostility and suspicion, her breaking through this, his devotion to his mother, her death, his relationship to his father and his severity? His not being able to go to college? His drinking, moods? His writing the short story about Cliff Macey? His cousin's plan, Noreen's birth day party, the clash between the two? Macey and his hold over the cousin and preventing him attacking Glenn? Irene and the short story, Glenn taking it to her, their going to the college professor? Glenn and his going out with Noreen, drunk, throwing things at Irene's door? His next day apology? Trapped on the road with Irene - the motel - falling in love? Irene's fear, his reaction? His reaction to Irene's engagement to Macey? His anger, threats, the clash with Cliff and punching him? Escaping the town with Noreen, taking her father's money? The police taking him back? The court sequence? Irene's attempted suicide? Macey's lies? The happy resolution? Love for Irene, going to college? A credible character? A portrait of a 1960s southern boy? The control-,of the environment?

4. Irene: her poise, widow, on the Parole Board, interest in Glenn, sense of superiority, compassion? Relationship with Phil and not wanting to marry him? Her point about his not wanting to make a decision about leaving his wife? Her interviews with Glenn? their repartee? Her recognition of his gifts, reading his story? Her own home life, social life with Phil Macey, friendship with her maid? The two of them watching Glenn drunk during the night? Taking Glenn to see the professor? The night at the motel and her passionate feelings? Her fear, going to Phil? wanting to be married? The court sequence and people antagonistic to her, her telling the truth, Macey's denial? The credibility of her attempted suicide - her being found, saying that she was ashamed?

5. Betty Lee and her family, good, proper, tight values and her expectations on Glenn?

6. The contrast with Noreen and her sluttish attitudes, the child and the pretended father, her wishing to be away from the town, drinking, the devil in her, provoking Glenn, the plan for him to marry her, his liking for her, her love for him? The drinking nights, taking the money, the escape? Their being caught?

7. Phil Macey and his background, place in the town, marriage, wealth, wanting to divorce his wife, marry Irene, his dislike of Cliff? His anger at Glenn and his lie in the courtroom? His changing after Irene's attempted suicide? Cliff and his friends, spoilt, weak heart, death?

8. Brixton and his plan for Glenn and Noreen, his hold over Glenn, Macey exercising his power over Brixton?

9. The supporting cast: Sarah and her friendship with Irene, Davis and his work for Macey, presence at the court, the professor and his interest in Glenn?

10. A 1960s blend of character and situation, melodrama - popular entertainment and the touch of the soap opera?