Roustabout (1964) User Reviews (41)

One of better 60s Elvis films

[MichaelMovieLoft · 6/10 · 1 August 2003]

Welcome to 1964. Elvis is still stuck in movie limbo, the Beatles are ready to conquer America, and this movie pops up. Elvis has one of his better roles since Flaming Star, as he plays a angry young man named Charlie Rogers, who is not that likable at all. After Charlie gets sprung for getting in a fight with some college students, he heads down the road to nowhere for the next gig. That's when he meets Maggie, Cathy, and Joe. Joe runs him off the road and destroys the Big E's guitar and 'cycle in the process. Maggie offers him a job as a roustabout in her carnival until his bike is repaired.

Elvis sheds the family friendly 60s image for this role. He is a cross between likable and a jerk. He has the benefit of working with a fine supporting cast. Barbara Stanwyck shines as Maggie, who lives and breathes the carnival life (She also keeps this film from being just average). Joan Freeman is great as Cathy, a love interest that plays much harder to get than any other Elvis movie femme fatale. Even Billy Barty shows up in a short role. Steve Brodie and Iris Adrian show up again to reprise their loud, annoying husband/wife roles (they just have different names and backgrounds in this one).

The King manages to belt out 11 forgettable songs that include his better than average take on "Little Egypt". This film also shows an era when the carnival was a profitable business (I laughed at seeing an orchestra pit inside a carnival tent). The 'Wall of Death' scene was also the basis of the Irish film, Eat The Peach. All in all, a better than average performance for Elvis in a standard formula film.

Roustabout (1964) ***

[JoeKarlosi · 7/10 · 16 August 2007]

Most people don't think too much of this Elvis romp compared to any other, but for me it stands out as one of the better "formula" movies the man made in the '60s. As club singer Charlie Rogers, Elvis is a little different from his usual stock characters from this period because the young man has a chip on his shoulder. He's a reckless person who never had a family and is prone to being self-centered and dismissive. After getting fired from a gig one day, he and his motorcycle are smacked up by a threesome of small-time carnival owners driving in their car, so they invite him to stick around their modest fairgrounds and work as a "roustabout" for a little cash while waiting for his bike to get back from the repair shop. Rogers is able to boost business with his singing to lure customers to the Fair.

Barbara Stanwyck plays the strong-willed carnival chief who breathes the carny lifestyle, but she's saddled with a crotchety and hard-headed partner (Leif Erickson) who once caused a tragedy to a customer by not safely securing one of the rides at the fair, and who tries to keep Charlie away from his daughter Cathy (Joan Freeman). It's refreshing to see a leading girl who can hold her own and not easily succumb to Elvis' whims. There are a few decent songs here and there, if no great ones. Raquel Welch can be spotted in the beginning of the film as one of a group of young folks going to see Charlie Rogers perform at the club. *** out of ****

It's Carnival Time!

[moonspinner55 · 6/10 · 1 October 2005]

Hot-headed singer who's prone to getting into fights gets a hankering for the daughter of a woman who runs a traveling carnival, eventually finds himself with a guitar working the run-ways. Good Elvis Presley musical, although the King himself is awfully pouty throughout. He sings several mediocre tunes in-between romantic bouts with pretty but bland Joan Freeman (who resembles both Susan Dey and a young Dorothy McGuire). Barbara Stanwyck is typically mercurial as Freeman's no-nonsense mother, and she gives the movie some kick. There are the usual carnival rowdies, a dim sub-plot involving a missing wallet, but the cinematography is colorful and the rural locations are well captured. There's a sensational tracking shot at the end done in one take, with the camera up and over the heads of the crowd, down along the run-way with the attractions and then onto the stage. A brunette Raquel Welch has a bit part at the very beginning, and Teri Garr is one of the carny dancers. An enjoyable star-vehicle for E.P.'s fans. **1/2 from ****

Elvis in a more serious role once again!

[HarryLags · 7/10 · 4 November 2016]

During the years of entertainment history there have been a plethora of stars who have left a trail of distinction in this world with their inimitable prowess in the arts, but nobody has ever reached the legendary status that Elvis Presley attained.

In 1964, Elvis Presley was cast in the role of Charlie Rogers in Roustabout, a film which starred him alongside acting veteran Barbara Stanwyck in her second last motion picture.Roustabout was directed by John Rich and produced by Hal Wallis with the screenplay by Anthony Lawrence and Allan Weiss.

By the time Roustabout was made, Barbara Stanwyck's motion picture career was in decline. That same year she starred in The Night Walker alongside her ex husband Robert Taylor, which served as her final film role.Raquel Welch makes an early appearance as one of the college kids at the Tea House.

Elvis Presley performed his own stunts in the movie.With a plausible plot and musical numbers that epitomizes the incomparable talents of Elvis, Roustabout is the true definition of a perennial classic from the 1960's.

Conclusion - It's not a great movie but it's a good movie and it's worth watching! Rated this 7/10

ROUSTABOUT (John Rich, 1964) **1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 6/10 · 25 August 2007]

Once again, this is an above-average Elvis Presley star vehicle but which, at the end of the day, offers nothing really new; still, I feel that the star’s own performance here is near the best that I’ve seen him give as he is well up to the challenge of playing a relatively complex character: alternately selfish, cocky, rebellious but, eventually, compassionate and even shrewd.

Presley, however, is let down by the plot which, as I said, is not only formulaic and, therefore, entirely predictable but rather sentimental as well, what with Barbara Stanwyck’s carny show forever on the brink of foreclosure; one other definite thorn in the film’s side is the one-dimensional nature of Leif Erickon’s grumpy characterization. On the other hand, Stanwyck’s participation adds undeniable distinction to the film (her role had previously been offered to Mae West!) and lovely Joan Freeman projects the right mix of independence and vulnerability as the heroine.

At least, the vivid carnival setting does provide plenty of opportunity for color, action, thrills, romance, comedy (courtesy of Sue Ane Langdon as a flirtatious fortune-teller) and, of course, songs which are not too bad – “Poison Ivy League”, “One Track Heart” and, especially, the Jerry Leiber-Mike Stoller penned “Little Egypt” – though, again, Elvis has certainly sung better ones in his Fifties heyday.

For the record, an uncredited Raquel Welch can be glimpsed among the college kids in the film’s very first sequence and, unless they didn’t hit it off here, it seems rather strange now that they were never paired together when she became a star in her own right a couple of years later!

Better than average Elvis flick

[JohnSeal · 6/10 · 13 March 2000]

Whenever Elvis returned to his rebel roots, his product improved. Roustabout provided him with his meatiest sixties role, a leatherclad itinerant musician who falls in with Barbara Stanwyck's travelling carnival. He's lean and mean and his songs actually work as part of the film instead of as a distraction. Recommended.

Cool bike, hot chicks!

[somic · 7/10 · 21 August 2011]

This is a very entertaining film. Elvis (Charlie Rogers) is a rebel biker who has a reputation as fighter and a womanizer. He makes a living as a traveling singer.

Early on in the film he is fired for getting into a fight with a group of college toughs. While riding his bike to the next engagement, the father of a girl he was flirting with tries to run him off the road. To make ends meet, and to earn enough money to repair his bike, he joins up with a traveling carnival.

The carnival is run by Maggie Moran, played by legendary actress Barbara Stanwyck. Elvis falls quickly for her lovely daughter Cathy, (Joan Freeman). The film takes off from there.

It's a wonderful adventure and is sure to entertain. Plus there are some great music tracks. "Little Egypt", "Roustabout", and "Big Love, Big Heartache" are great examples. The soundtrack went to #1 on the Billboard charts.

Some fun facts: Raquel Welch has a bit part at the very beginning of the film, and Teri Garr is one of the dancers. The title song, Roustabout is one everyone remembers. However Elvis also recorded another song for the film called "I'm a Roustabout". "Roustabout" was picked and "I'm a Roustabout" was never released. The song was recently discovered and was released as a bonus track on a CD in 2003. The motorcycle Elvis rides throughout the movie is a Honda 305 Superhawk.

One of Elvis's better musicals with a story & substance.

[gullwing592003 · 5/10 · 21 September 2012]

It's 1964 & this is a somewhat interesting curiosity seeing Elvis as a free spirited motorcycling singing musician. "Roustabout" shows Elvis kind of reverting back to his 1950's rebel image to a certain point but without the sideburns & duck-tail & with black leather. He's a bit of an angry young man & a hothead like his character in "Jailhouse Rock" & is self centered & unsympathetic & not too likable. But Charlie Rodgers is watered down compared to Vince Everett in "Jailhouse Rock".

It has a good cast with some big legends like Barbara Stanwyck, Leif Erickson & Steve Brodie & they elevate the movie with some memorable performances. This is a formulated musical with an edge & with serious moments so it's not all tongue & cheek & bubblegum like a lot of his '60's musicals were. Leif Erickson as Joe hates Elvis's character for most of the movie until Elvis redeems himself by the end.

There's also Pat Buttram from "Green Acres" as a big shot carnival master who gives Elvis a better offer after Elvis burns his bridges with Joe & Maggie. Other memorable scenes is when Steve Brodie arrogantly never misses the target when he keeps throwing balls dunking Joan Freeman plunging in the water endlessly. And the "Wall of Death" motorcycle show. And of course Elvis sings but his role in this story is a singer & Elvis sings 10 songs. The songs are OK but nothing to write home about.

It's not one of Elvis's best movies but it's not one of his worst either. But it's one of his better formulated musical dramas that has some realism & the characters are believable & down to earth. If you want to see Elvis in quality musicals this one & "Kid Galahad" & "Follow That Dream" are good choices because these films are more realistic & tell a story unlike the rest of the trash he was doing during most of the 1960's.Regardless if you're an Elvis fan or not stay away from most of his '60's cliché musicals they're a waste of time. But Roustabout is watchable even on repeated viewings but it's not worth buying for my money.

Hard work filtered with fun and romance at the carnival.

[michaelRokeefe · 6/10 · 29 October 1999]

Elvis plays a happy-go-lucky guy with a small chip on his shoulder. After his cycle is wrecked, he takes on a part time job at Barbara Stanwych's almost bankrupt carnival. Elvis' character sings a few songs and starts bringing crowds to the traveling show again. Joan Freeman plays the goody two shoes that for some reason has the new roustabout going in circles. Leif Erickson is a believable alcoholic, trying to protect his daughter. The soundtrack features "One Track Heart" "Big Love, Big Heartache" and "Little Egypt", plus several very short songs. Contrary of most of the songs being under two minutes long, this was a very popular album. A very pleasant movie directed by John Rich.

A curious Elvis musical

[bwaynef · 31 May 1999]

A curious Hal Wallis produced musical in which Elvis, clad in black leather for much of the film, seems to be flirting with his more rebellious past while still looking like the bland "Hollywoodized" ideal first promoted in "G.I. Blues" (short hair, short sideburns). There are a couple of decent tunes ("Little Egypt," "Big Love, Big Heartache") and the usual smattering of forgettable ones, but what makes "Roustabout" a cut above most of his other films from the era is a strong cast (Barbra Stanwyck and Leif Ericson, two veterans of Wallis' 1948 "Sorry, Wrong Number") and a stronger than usual role for Elvis himself. He's a troubled, short-tempered sort here, one who, mercifully, doesn't sing to babies.

This Movie makes me mad

[brackenhe · 4/10 · 15 June 2008]

I know Elvis Presley made better films after this (at least in my mind) but this must have been the beginning of the end of his movie career. The only reason I give this 4 out of 10 is because there is makings of a decent movie here. But the writing is so bad, and Elvis is made to sing a bunch of ridiculous songs (except Little Egypt.) This movie makes me hate Colonel Parker more than I already hate him. There is a story here about a young man who ends up working in a carnival and falling for a girl (basis for all EP movies.) But with a supporting cast such as this, it should have been better. It had Barbara Stanwyck in it for goodness sake, not to mention several veteran character actors. I think by this point Elvis didn't care anymore because why would he make such schlock. He must have been forced into it because he needed the money to keep up the Colonel and his ever growing entourage. He deserved better than this.

Not just for fanatics

[Boyo-2 · 8/10 · 10 January 2000]

This movie is light and easy going and contains enough songs to please Elvis' fans, though others may enjoy it too. The story isn't much and the acting is less, but it really doesn't matter. Elvis had charm and charisma to spare and its on fine display here. But its his movie all the way and I suppose it got critcism in its time, though who knows why. If I wasn't four when it came out, I'd have gone to see it.

It's carnival time with The King of Rock and Roll

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 12 March 2017]

Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.

'Roustabout' is not one of Elvis' better overall films, not being as good as the likes of 'King Creole', 'Flaming Star', 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Viva Las Vegas' and 'Loving You'. This said as far as his mid- 60s onwards efforts go, 'Roustabout' generally is one of his better faring ones.

Very rarely were the script and story strong suits in Elvis' films, quite often being weak links even. 'Roustabout' is not an exception. The story is paper thin and formulaic, with neither the friction between Charlie and Joe or the romance between Charlie and Cathy ever igniting and structurally it's all too pat and obvious. The former due to too much immature silliness and not enough grit, which one kind of expected when you have the rebellious sort of character that Elvis played in the 50s in films that did have tension and grit, and the latter due to the chemistry not being there and Joan Freeman being somewhat bland.

The songs generally are less than stellar and mostly very forgettable. A few do work, and they will be mentioned later, but most suffer from lacking sound mixing that give them a cheapness, sloppy lip-synching, fitting awkwardly and from being too short. "Carny Town" and "It's Carnival Time" especially apply here. The script has its fun and good-natured moments, as well as its tragic ones, but over-silliness and corn run all over it as well.

However, 'Roustabout' is a good-looking film, it's beautifully shot with a great atmosphere and the rural scenery is colourful and evocative. A few of the songs are good, the title song and "Little Egypt" being knockouts. The tender "Big Love, Big Heartache", the acid "Poison Ivy League" and the energetic "One Track Shot" also stand out. The choreography has a good deal of energy, the carnival atmosphere is just magical and the Wall of Death scene hits hard.

A good cast helps and 'Roustabout' has that (Freeman excepted), John Rich also directing more than capably. Elvis is not at his very best and has been in better shape, but there is still an easy-going charisma and vigour to his performance. Barbara Stanwyk provides compelling realism and effortless command to her role, while Sue Anne Langdon adds a good deal of lustre and Leif Eriksson relishes his unsympathetic character. Familiar faces such as Pat Buttram, Steve Brodie and Jack Albertson are fun to see, and the film also boasts short appearances from Racquel Welch, Richard Kiel, Teri Garr and Billy Barty.

Overall, not great but decent likable fun. 6/10 Bethany Cox

None of the fun of the fair.

[BA_Harrison · 3/10 · 16 July 2019]

Charlie Rogers (Elvis Presley) is a karate-chopping, motorcycle-riding, womanising rock-and-roll singer cruising the highway when grouchy carny boss Joe (Leif Erickson) runs him off the road for making unwanted advances towards his daughter Cathy (Joan Freeman). Carny owner Maggie (Barbara Stanwyck) agrees to pay for the damage to Charlie's bike and guitar, and offers him a job as a roustabout while he waits for repairs to be done.

As the days go by, Charlie continues to pester Cathy, draws in the crowds with his singing, and gets on Joe's nerves even more. A misunderstanding involving a lost wallet causes Charlie to walk out and work for rival showman Harry Carver (Pat Buttram), but when Maggie looks set to lose her livelihood, his conscience gets the better of him...

Under the strict guidance of manager Col. Tom Parker, Elvis appeared in a string of movies between 1956 and 1969, with most of his '60s films being formulaic cash-ins, the producers safe in the knowledge that the King's devoted fans would flock to the theatre regardless of quality. This '64 star-vehicle is one such money-grabbing exercise, a weak romantic drama that relies heavily on its star's charisma and vocal talent. It's a shame then that Presley's character is such a cocky, self-obsessed jerk, and that the songs are so instantly forgettable, making the film a dismal affair despite its vibrant carnival setting.

The most fun to be had from the film is trying to spot Raquel Welch, Teri Garr and Richard 'Jaws' Kiel in early blink-and-you'll-miss-'em uncredited roles.

Elvis does Karate, the Wall of Death and Colourful Carnie Cuddling.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 7 July 2012]

Released the same year as Viva Las Vegas, Roustabout is often viewed as one of the lesser lights in Elvis' 1960s movie output. Which is a shame given that it has vitality in abundance, sees the King playing a two dimensional character, features the professional workings of Barbara Stanwyck and Leif Erickson and is beautifully staged and photographed (Lucien Ballard) amongst a Carnival backdrop.

Plot sees Presley as night club singer Charlie Rogers who has a big chip on his shoulder, getting into yet another fight he gets fired and via a motorcycle run in with Maggie Morgan (Stanwyck) and Joe Lean (Erickson), ends up working at Maggie's carnival operation while he waits for his bike to be fixed. He has his eyes on Joe's daughter, Cathy (Joan Freeman), but Joe, himself carrying a heavy burden, has a big dislike for the young upstart. With the bank closing in ready to close the struggling carnival, hope may come in the form of Charlie's singing attributes, but will he stay? Will he be lured away by a lucrative offer from a rival Carnie promoter? With Charlie struggling to ingratiate himself to the Carnie way of life, and him constantly failing to show his true emotions to win around a hard to convince Cathy, the odds against him staying seems short.

Well how do you think it's going to end? Exactly the way you expect it too of course. But there is great fun and frolics along the way and it is a true spirit raising finale. The clutch of songs are not the best, though the beautiful tenderness of "Big Love, Big Heartache" and the interesting take on "Little Egypt" are reason enough to be pleased with the musical contributions. Presley delivers a good turn, a nifty blend of rebel yell and housewives baby, the carnival atmosphere is well born out and crucially the film manages to not undersell the graft that carnival workers did to put on a show for the public's entertainment. It also opens up a game for spotters of future "names", see if you can spot Raquel Welch, Teri Garr and Richard Kiel in teeny tiny roles.

A lovely enjoyable Elvis film, foot tapping and smiles guaranteed, and the King, quite frankly, rocks in this one. 7/10

Sure to please all Elvis fans

[funkyfry · 7/10 · 30 October 2002]

One of Paramount's best Elvis films. Barbara and Elvis have great chemistry -- too bad no may-december hoochy-coochy was allowed. The songs are pretty bizarre, but mostly pretty good by 60s Elvis standards. I dig the carnival atmosphere. Billy Barty pops up as........ a midget!

Solid Presley film with good songs and a decent enough story

[ODDBear · 7/10 · 11 August 2010]

Good songs, a solid performance from Elvis and a decent story in a unique setting is about what you take away from "Roustabout".

It's one of the King's later (and less ambitious) flicks but they varied in quality and "Roustabout" comes off well. Elvis is good as a restless (and quite temperamental) average Joe who lends a hand in a traveling carnival while his motorcycle is in the shops. Despite himself he starts caring for the married couple who run the place (a very charming Barbara Stanwyck the better half) and falls for their daughter.

The film looks nice, Elvis sings quality songs like the title track, "Little Egypt" and "One Track Heart" among others, he's in fine acting form and gets solid support from old pro Stanwyck and the story ain't too shabby either.

All in all; a solid Presley film.

Elvis joins the carnival

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 5 July 2013]

Screen legend Barbara Stanwyck became probably the biggest name ever to appear in an Elvis Presley movie in Roustabout. Barbara plays the owner of a carnival who takes in Presley after the King has been fired from a gig at a club. Of course she owes him after her right hand man Leif Erickson runs Elvis off the road and damages his motorcycle and guitar.

After a while what's keeping him around is pretty young Joan Freeman who is Erickson's daughter. And Presley's drawing in some big bucks and may just pull the carnival out of the red, the red being the mortgage that banker Dabbs Greer has on Stanwyck's show. That is if rival carnival owner Pat Buttram doesn't lure him away or fortune teller Sue Ane Langdon doesn't lure him with her own special lure.

I think Roustabout ranks as one of Presley's best feature films. He was starting to lose his allure to the fans of the Beatles and soon enough his pictures would become a rote formula. But as the young man with a chip on his shoulder who becomes a Roustabout at the Stanwyck carnival Elvis is at his very best.

For Stanwyck she saw this as a way of getting her name across to younger movie audiences. But after one more film she would abandon the big screen for the small one and did all her remaining work on television.

The title song and a song called Poison Ivy are the best for Elvis in the 11 numbers from the score. I didn't know Elvis went in for satire but the song is a really acid number against privileged college frat boys, I really loved it. It's also what gets him canned from that club gig.

Fans of both legends should be pleased with Roustabout.

The ROUSTABOUT DVD

[wgk27 · 29 December 2003]

I just watched one of my Christmas presents, the ROUSTABOUT DVD and was sad to observe that they "cut" parts of it out from the regular movie and video......The Tea Room scene where Raquel Welch appears after the fight scene, her part was cut! Plus the Red West bit-part was cut.

And on the DVD box it mentions Raquel Welch's "girls in shower" scene as her debut which is a GOOF. That's not her. Her debut was in the first scenes in the movie which was cut from the DVD version. Why Paramount, oh why?

Bill Kaval 12-29-03

Aged Like Milk Elvis Film

[akoaytao1234 · 3/10 · 2 April 2023]

Elvis is a punk that thinks revolves around him. In an argument with a similarly egoistic man child, he lost his footing and there goes his bike. With the downtime, he was given a refuge for the meantime by a Carnival Owner/Lover of the egoistic man child while waiting for his bike. He fell in love with that man's child and the rest was history.

This is not a good film. For the most part, its just a very dated romance. I had watched it primarily for Stanwyck's presence and she was fine for its not-so-good material. Elvis was a there and pretty much is resting on his name. The romance is just so rooted in misogyny that it kinda feels uncomfortable at times. Then the plot is rooted in corniness that it also ages it a lot - just think of those Hallmark and their 'movies'. At least they understood their demographic.

Other notes, is that it is well pictured. The supporting cast can act but is nothing to write about.

I do not know if I would seek Elvis film in the future.

Elvis joins a carnival

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 6 November 2020]

A talented drifter with no family and an attitude joins a carnival in Southern Cal and soon becomes the main attraction. Barbara Stanwyck plays the owner of the carnival, Joan Freeman the love interest and Pat Buttram a rival in the biz.

"Roustabout" (1964) is easily one of the better Elvis flicks (for me, at least), probably because the setting is the carnival & carnies, but also because the story is serious (rather than farcical) and more captivating than most. Presley's character, Charlie Rogers, makes for a great protagonist with whom to identify. Meanwhile, the presence of the towering Stanwyck is always compelling, plus Buttram's character is perfectly suited for him. A plus is the many attractive showgirls in the periphery.

I'd put it on par with "Kid Galahad" (1962) and "Viva Las Vegas" (1964), although the latter is more of a fun farce; "Roustabout" is a serious drama with some musical sequences.

The film runs 1 hour, 41 minutes, and was shot in Potrero Valley, Thousand Oaks, California, & Paramount Studios.

GRADE: B

It's Carnival Time for Elvis!

[wes-connors · 3/10 · 5 April 2009]

Vagabond singer Elvis Presley (as Charlie Rogers) gets a job working at a carnival owned by strong-willed Barbara Stanwyck (as Maggie Morgan). There, after years "playing the field," Mr. Presley gets the urge to settle down with one woman, pretty Joan Freeman (as Cathy Lean). But, Presley doesn't get along with folks like Ms. Freeman's alcoholic father Leif Erikson (as Joe Lean). After a misunderstanding, Presley leaves his budding "family", and goes to work for Ms. Stanwyck's sleazy rival, Pat Buttram (as Harry Carver). Will chip-shouldered Presley stay with the bad influence Buttram, or return to stable Stanwyck and sweet Freeman?

The waste of cast and crew involved in this boring film is criminal. The musical highlight is the Leiber-Stoller classic "Little Egypt"; although Presley lip-syncs lethargically, dancing girl Wilda Taylor is a sight for sore eyes. Presley, who hides a growing paunch and occasionally appears "under the influence," looks better during the nicely photographed "Big Love, Big Heartache". The studio mixes of the other songs sound much better on the nicely sequenced "Roustabout" stereo album, especially "Poison Ivy League", "Roustabout", and "One Track Heart". "It's a Wonderful World" received some "Best Song" Oscar buzz.

*** Roustabout (11/11/64) John Rich ~ Elvis Presley, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Freeman, Leif Erickson

My Comment

[liushu · 10/10 · 18 January 2007]

I really enjoyed this comedy because I love Elvis's acting. I think he should also tried to pursue his second career as an actor in Hollywood beside his singing career. He always tired to be funny in his movies. I also love his singing. Through the year of 1956 to 1967. I think his voice quality still maintained the early Elvis singing quality which I like the most. Of course the song "Roustabout," he really demonstrated his character greatly. Overall, I love the movie- Roustabout. If people listen Elvis's recording in that movie, then they should notice that his voice sounded different compares his recordings from 1968 to 1977. I think I'm a big of early Elvis. He was a good looking guy with a beautiful voice.

At The Carnival With Elvis

[Rainey-Dawn · 6/10 · 7 August 2022]

Charlie Rodgers (Elvis) is a wondering singer, he travels by motorcycle. Charlie ends up helping at a carnival of the people that ran him off the road and falls for the carnival owner's daughter Cathy. Charlie is the draw of the show - helping to save the carnival.

This one isn't one of the better Elvis films but it's not awful - it's definitely watchable, just not great.

6/10.

Silliness abounds in this 1964 Elvis vehicle

[paul-allaer · 5/10 · 14 August 2020]

"Roustabout" (1964 release; 101 min.) brings the story of singer-biker Charlie Rogers. As the movie opens, Charlie gets in an argument with some kids, and as a result is fired from his job. Charlie takes off on his bike, and is run off the road by the father of Cathy, a girl he was flirting with. To earn some money for his bike repair, Charlie decides to join the traveling circus run by Cathy's parents... At this point we are 10 min. into the movie.

Couple of comments: this movie is notable for its historic timing, in that it was the first Elvis vehicle to be released in the Beatles Mania era that had exploded in early 1964. Not that you can tell as such from watching the movie. Silliness abounds left and right in a wafer-thin plot (per the usual for an Elvis firm). What is lacking compared to some of the better Elvis films like "Blue Hawaii" and "G.I. Blues" is the eye-candy scenery (Hawaii, West Germany) that made these earlier films extra-enjoyable. The music in "Roustabout" is okay but nothing all that memorable, in particular given the new Beatles-oriented pop climate.

For reasons I can't explain, I had never in my life watched an Elvis movie start-to-finish but I have found myself watching a lot of Elvis movies these last couple of weeks, on HDNet TV, ahead of the upcoming 43rd anniversary of Elvis' passing away. I find myself transfixed at these period pieces of the early 1960s. "Roustabout" is okay, but not great, but still worth checking out.