Elvis’ 16th movie, Roustabout, opened on November 11, 1964. It used to be more fun doing these pictorials on the early Elvis movies that were mostly pretty good. But, I found it hard to get cranked up for Roustabout, because I just don’t really care for it.
Part of the problem for me is Elvis’ love interest in this movie. Joan Freeman just doesn’t work for me as woman Elvis would be attracted to. Or, maybe she just didn’t have the attributes needed to keep my interest. You women get to oogle at Elvis, but us male fans need our eye candy, too. Girls like Ann Margret, Yvonne Craig, Barbara Eden, Shelley Fabares, Tuesday Weld and Michele Carey. These love interests added some sizzle.
In Roustabout, the only sexual tension came from Sue Ane Langdon, who as fortune teller Madame Mijanjou wanted Elvis badly, but he pushed her away for Joan Freeman. Stupid move.
Speaking of Sue Ane Langdon, Elvis must have liked her, because she later appeared in Frankie and Johnny with him.
This publicity photo shows Sue Ane Langdon, Donna Douglas, and Nancy Kovack. Now that’s some eye-candy.
So, what else does this dull movie have interesting enough to put in this article? How about the opening credits? Think about how many Elvis movies start with him travelling down the highway (or the air or the water) singing the title song. Here are some examples:
Follow That Dream
Girls, Girls, Girls
Kid Galahad
It Happened at the World’s Fair
Fun in Acapulco
So, when Roustabout starts, we hear the title song and see a convertible coming down the road.
Naturally, we think it’s Elvis behind the wheel. But, no, it’s four college kids. Surprise.
See the dark haired girl in the back seat? This is Raquel Welch in her first movie role.
Raquel had one line. She says to this waitress, “How can you call this a teahouse, dear?
See the guy next to Raquel in the blue letter sweater? He also showed up later in Girl Happy.
Roustabout has another actor in it with duel credits in Elvis movies.
Jack Albertson as stage manager/MC at the roadhouse where Elvis performed in Roustabout.
Jack Albertson as Captain Salbo in Kissin’ Cousins
And there is on person who appeared in Roustabout and five other Elvis movies as a dancer.
That’s Teri Garr to the right of Elvis. Check her out in other Elvis movies by clicking here.
Here’s some other Roustabout tidbits.
Elvis beats up on these two college smart-asses using karate. He used that a few more times in his movies, didn’t he? In Roustabout, Elvis actually has four fights. Seems like that should be a record, but I’m not going to watch all the movies again to find out for sure.
Uh, oh, Elvis landed in jail. How many times has that happened in Elvis movies? Let’s see, Jailhouse Rock, Girl Happy… probably more.
While looking for photos of Joan Freeman, I came across this one:
Joan looks hotter here, but who is that with her? Give up? It’s Roy Orbison in his one and only movie role, The Fastest Guitar Alive.
The movie was made in 1967 and is thought by some to be a classic because it is so weird.
How’s this for a plot device? Turn that little knob and a rifle barrel comes out of a secret compartment and you’re ready to shoot-‘em-up.
In this promo shot both Roy and Joan look pretty good.
And this is them kissing.
I always end these Elvis movie pictorials with a shots of him kissing his leading ladies, so here’s Elvis and Joan Freeman.
Frankly, I think Roy got the better kiss from her.
But, don’t worry, Elvis. You got this one from Sue Ane Langdon.
You should have given in, Elvis, and enjoyed the sizzle.
© 2014 Philip R Arnold, Original Elvis Blogmeister All Rights Reserved www.ElvisBlog.net
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