Jailhouse Rock

Released Oct 17, 1957

1 hr. 36 min.

Musical

List

67%

42 Reviews

Tomatometer

72%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

A young man, Vince Everett (Elvis Presley), is convicted of manslaughter after being drawn into a bar fight while trying to defend a woman. In prison, Everett finds salvation when his cellmate, a country singer named Hunk Houghton (Mickey Shaughnessy), hears him sing and pegs him as a future star. Once released, Everett gets a job in a night club and meets Peggy Van Alden (Judy Tyler), a young woman who works for a record company and who, like Houghton, also sees talent in Everett.

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CodyZamboni

Movie is alot better than I remember. Elvis still plays a super jerk, but his compelling rise from ex-con, to singing and movie stardom, makes this watchable. His constant rude direspect of those who helped him on the way up, may put off alot of viewers. But top notch musical numbers, capped by the title tune, are very entertaining. So much so, that despite his major character faults, we still root for him.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/10/23

Full Review

Leo C

Though the story could've been a little more realistic and complex, the acting sort of makes up for it. I especially thought Elvis's acting was magnificent but all the actors did well too. It is just a shame that the story doesn't make any sense at all at the start; for example, Elvis's character manages to become famous by doing a concert in prison that has been broadcast on live TV - it is simply just unbelievable. But, thankfully the story gets better later on and as a result I enjoyed 'Jailhouse Rock' to an extent.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/02/22

Full Review

William L

Yes, Elvis made movies. No, you really don't need to watch them. Jailhouse Rock is one really good music video lumped together with three mediocre music videos with a story to stitch it all together, which is often weak enough that it just ends up with Elvis going, "gather 'round everyone, I'm going to sing a song" instead of bothering to come up with a reason why it would make sense in terms of narrative to have a song there. What is there in terms of the script is pretty predictable as well, a generic rags-to-riches in the entertainment industry storyline, except the main character is just generally standoffish to just about everyone who tries to help him without ever facing any repercussions. The saving grace is the intermittent music, which is still tied heavily to the audience's personal tastes when it comes to the King of Rock. The titular song is actually presented pretty well though, with a set that looks like a bandstand rendition of the musical Chicago and some fun choreography. But apart from that, modern appreciation for Jailhouse Rock as a film seems to be built more on nostalgia for the period than any of its own strengths. (1.5/5)

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

06/14/22

Full Review

Audience Member

This showcase for The King is much more entertaining then it is interesting as the narrative of the film is predictably cliche. The acting and script feel pretty wooden with the exception of Judy Tyler who actually creates some believable emotion in her role. As a musical, there is no denying the charisma Elvis brings to the screen. His performance of the titular number was the highlight of this film but everytime a musical number began the King immediately looked and felt more alive or natural then when he was hollowly reciting dialogue.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Liam D

This is where a star becomes a Megastar This Drama proves that Elvis can be a great actor and the movie is more than the iconic song and I consider it one of the MGM musicals after the golden years of Arthur Freed

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/14/21

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robert p

Nothing like Elvis Presley swinging his hips, this is probably the movie that earned him the King of Rock.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Richard Thorpe

Director

Elvis Presley

Vince Everett

Judy Tyler

Peggy Van Alden

Mickey Shaughnessy

Hunk Houghton

Vaughn Taylor

Mr. Shores

Dean Jones

Teddy Talbot

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Mildred Martin

Philadelphia Inquirer

It's just possible that this is the boy's best so far. For now, completely at ease, Elvis not only rocks but swings smoothly through the role of a kid who lands in jail for an accidental killing.

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

Colin Bennett

The Age (Australia)

Even when trying to smoulder at the camera like a new Valentino, [Presley] suggests no real emotion, other than peevish petulance.

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

Jean Yothers

Orlando Sentinel

Mickey Shaughnessy turns in a good job as Elvis' cellmate and the guy who punches him in the voice box. Judy Tyler and Jennifer Holden adequately hold up the feminine angles to the picture.

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

P.S. Harrison

Harrison's Reports

Although he is far from a finished actor, Presley continues to show improvement and does fairly well in a somewhat unsympathetic characterization... The story is synthetic, but it has been given good direction and fits Presley's personality,

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

Jeanette Eichel

Buffalo News

[The studio thinks] that adults are going to like the film -- Presley’s first really dramatic one. He does fairly well with it.

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

Sali Peltier

Tampa Bay Times

Elvis seems to be developing into quite an actor and he portrays the difficult part of the young convict with fine ability. He definitely has improved since his first movie Love Me Tender.

Apr 12, 2024

Full Review

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Synopsis

A young man, Vince Everett (Elvis Presley), is convicted of manslaughter after being drawn into a bar fight while trying to defend a woman. In prison, Everett finds salvation when his cellmate, a country singer named Hunk Houghton (Mickey Shaughnessy), hears him sing and pegs him as a future star. Once released, Everett gets a job in a night club and meets Peggy Van Alden (Judy Tyler), a young woman who works for a record company and who, like Houghton, also sees talent in Everett.

Director: Richard Thorpe
Screenwriter: Nedrick Young, Guy Trosper
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer, Warner Bros., Avon Productions
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 17, 1957, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2009
Sound Mix: Stereo
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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