LOVE ME TENDER

US, 1956, 95 minutes, Black and white.
Richard Egan, Debra Paget, Elvis Presley, Robert Middleton, William Campbell, Neville Brand, Mildred Dunnock, Bruce Bennett.
Directed by Robert D. Webb.

Love Me Tender was Elvis Presley's first film. It may have been begun as an ordinary 20th. Century Fox Civil War western with Debra Paget and Richard Egan. Presley was introduced as Egan's younger brother, staying at home during the Civil War, marrying Egan's sweetheart. When the war is over, there is conflict about stolen money. Presley is persuaded to turn against his brother - but is shot as he ultimately realises the truth. As a Civil War story, the film is conventional but enjoyable.

However, four songs are added for Presley's performance - especially at a picnic. Slightly ironic to see him gyrating with the 19th. century bonnetted girls all responding to him as mid-20th. century girls! He also sings the title ballad over the final credits. Entertaining - but interesting as the beginning of Presley's film career.

1. Enjoyable Americana? Elvis Presley vehicle?

2. Black and white photography, the atmosphere of the Civil War? Action? Musical score? Songs for Presley? The plaintive note of the title ballad at the end?

3. The title, the focus on Vance and Clint and their relationship with Cathy? The focus on the love story and emotion?

4. The atmosphere of the small American towns after the Civil War? Life at home? Families sending brothers and sons off to war? The experience of the defeat of the South? The return home? Payroll robberies in the name of war? Dilemmas about keeping money to build again after the war? Emotional conflicts? The tensions of the return home? The pursuit by the Northern authorities of the stolen money? The atmosphere of the West, shootouts?

5. Vance and his role in the family, love for Cathy, tensions, going to the war, relationship with his brothers, the experience of the war, the taking of the money, the return home and concealing the money? Vance's relationship with his mother? The discovery of the marriage? The strain on him? On Cathy? The picnic? His decision to leave? Clint misunderstanding him? The arrival of the authorities, the pursuit of the partners, Vance wanting to give back the money, the plans with Cathy? Clint turning against him? The final confrontation? Clint shooting at Vance? Clint's death? The tragic repercussions of the war?

6. Elvis Presley as Clint, the younger brother, at home, holding up Vance as an idol, his relationship with his mother, love for Cathy? The war, Vance's not returning? Marriage? Vance's return, his joy? His turning against Vance at the persuasion of the gunslingers? His jealousy and suspicion? Confrontation with Cathy? Shooting at Vance? His sorrow, his being shot? His singing 'Love Me Tender' over the final credits? The introducing of the rock 'n roll style songs for his performance? In keeping with the film?

7. Cathy and her place on the farm, her love for Vance, his not returning, love for Clint, marriage? The strain with Vance's return? The truth? The giving back of the money, involvement in the shootout?

8. The boys' mother, her looking after them, a sympathetic woman? Her grief at the end? The boys and the leadership of Vance, going to the war?

9. The money-making ex-soldiers and their wanting to keep the money, defy the law? The character who persuaded Clint to turn against Vance, goading him on?

10. The authorities? Their sympathetic treatment of Vance and his brothers? The confrontation at the picnic? The arrest? The attack on the train and their being taken?

11. The film as a piece of Americana, the atmosphere of the Civil War, tensions between North and South? Ordinary family life? Disrupted by the war? Crimes and punishment? The violence of the West?