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.

Both 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'King Creole' in particular are proof that some of Elvis' early films are pretty good or more and that he could give a good performance when his material allowed it. Can understand totally the indifference at best towards his later films though. 'King Creole' is (along with 'Jailhouse Rock') often considered Elvis' best film, and even more widely his performance is considered his best, Elvis even called 'King Creole' his personal favourite and it is more than easy to see why on all counts.

Maybe 'King Creole' is a touch overlong, and the female characters are not as interestingly written as the male ones, somewhat lazy and it's the performances that stop them from being completely vapid. Otherwise there is very little to dislike. Have commented a couple of times on the writing and stories not being strong suits in Elvis' films, but 'King Creole' is a pleasant exception. The writing is surprisingly gritty and suspenseful, with few soap-operatic or corn elements, and the story is darker and meatier than the usual story for an Elvis film, thus one of the most absorbing.

As for Presley, his role here shows a dark and vulnerable side and he does it with intensity, charisma, swagger, charm and emotional honesty and no stiffness. Of his performances, which largely varied dependent on his material, it is agreed that this is his best. He has one of his best supporting casts, particularly a terrifyingly reptilian (while also remarkably complex for a mobster heavy) Walther Matthau, a touching Carolyn Jones and perfectly weasel-like Vic Morrow.

The songs are absolute knockouts, especially the title song, the sultry "Trouble" and the moving "As Long as I Have You". All performed by The King of Rock and Roll in his glorious and vocally distinctive prime. Michael Curtiz directs assuredly and with finesse, making one of the best-directed Elvis films, while 'King Creole's' film noir photography and atmosphere are strikingly done.

In conclusion, very good, tied for Elvis' best film and the best Elvis had to offer. 8/10 Bethany Cox

By this time Elvis Presley was a big movie box office name due in no small measure to the astute management of Colonel Tom Parker. I have no doubt that the Colonel got him Michael Curtiz as a director and a top flight supporting cast consisting of Oscar winners like Dean Jagger as the King's father and Walter Matthau as the villain of the piece. And other such outstanding players as Carolyn Jones, Vic Morrow, Paul Stewart, and Dolores Hart.

Presley steps into James Dean territory here, had he lived I'm sure Dean would have played the part of Danny Fisher in what would have been a non-musical story or one where Dean's singing would have been dubbed. Danny Fisher is just the kind of troubled youth searching for himself that Dean excelled with in East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause. In fact in the relationship between Presley and Jagger you can see a lot of the dynamics of Dean's and Jim Backus in Rebel Without a Cause.

Elvis has had to go to work because his father has been unable to hold down a job ever since the death of his wife. So's Elvis's sister, Jan Shepard, also had to work. He gets a break in Walter Matthau's club with an impromptu audition, but it's rival owner Paul Stewart who hires Elvis. That sets the stage for a lot of the action to come.

For those who are used to seeing Walter Matthau as the lovable grouch starting from The Odd Couple it would surprise many to learn most of his early roles were bad guys. He's an exceptionally nasty bad guy in King Creole.

The title song became one of Elvis's early best sellers and it is also the name of the club Matthau owns in the New Orleans French Quarter. Presley has some other good numbers in this film as well.

Some other reviewers have mentioned that Elvis should have done more dramatic stuff like King Creole. Maybe he should have, who knows. But I think the point should be made is that first and foremost Elvis was a singing icon, not an acting one. As were the idols of former generations Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. I don't think Elvis was willing to push himself as player in the same way they were. Neither Crosby or Sinatra also had a manager with as tight a control over them creatively as Colonel Tom Parker. Both Crosby and Sinatra got Oscars, but it was for parts that they knew they could handle and went after, especially Sinatra. Maybe Elvis in the words of another icon, knew his limitations or the Colonel did.

King Creole also was one of the first of Harold Robbins's novels to be made into a film. Yet it's never thought of as a Robbins film like The Carpetbaggers or The Betsy. It's an Elvis film, first and foremost.

And that's good enough for fans of the King and others.

Obviously I am referring to Rebel without a cause and maybe not so obviously I am comparing the role of Elvis to what James Dean was able to make ... or rather how people perceived him generally speaking. I think it is undeniable that Elvis was great at singing (multiple occasions to prove this here too),but I don't think many had him high on an acting range. He sort of proves those wrong here.

And while the story and the plot are strong enough to carry on and be quite powerful today too, the fighting/stunts have not aged as well mostly. Then there are some character traits that some may not feel most comfortable with ... but what rebel really gave anything what people thought about him? Love/relationships included ... a very fine Walter Matthau helps elevate the movie too. A movie that I was not too aware of, but that generally is suspensful enough to keep aynone on their toes ... and may be just the right movie to start off anyone unaware of Elvis (as an actor)! Old school style.