Elvis stars as a young man in New Orleans who, after failing out of high school, is working as a busboy in a nightclub to supplement his family income. He draws the attention of kept woman Carolyn Jones one night when he saves her from some drunken thugs, and this draws some unwelcome attention from the man who keeps her ... gangster Walter Matthau. His neck is saved when he demonstrates a talent for singing, and instead of killing him, Matthau offers him a job. Elvis turns Matthau down, instead taking a job at the KIng Creole, a nightclub run by nice guy Paul Stewart. Matthau enlists local thug Vic Morrow to change Elvis's mind. This is easily one of the best films Elvis appeared in. It's a fairly gritty street level crime film, shot in black and white by studio veteran Michael Curtiz and featuring a fantastic group of supporting actors. A lot happens in this film. I have left out his relationship with Dolores Hart, who he meets while robbing a five & dime with Morrow, and the struggles of his dad Dean Jagger at his demeaning job. This is a real film. The music Elvis performs is mostly a blend of light R&B and rock & roll and it suits him better than some of the pop fluff he sings in later films.

Made early in his career when he was still bursting with promise and not strait-jacketed by an image this is the best film Elvis ever made and probably his best performance. Based on one of Harold Robbins few good novels the film gives him a real character to play and shows that had he been allowed he could have progressed to becoming a fine actor. I'm not trying to knock him, in most of his films he's an enjoyable presence but except for Wild in the Country and this none of them required much in the way of stretching his ability.While he is memorable in the lead there are several other factors that help make this such a strong picture. Chief among them is the presence of the master of any genre Curtiz in the director's chair lending his firm hand to keep the film focused and compelling. Something else that adds to this is the cast. Elvis usually was supported by one sometimes two strong veteran actors or actresses but here the film is loaded to the rafters with talent. Walter Matthau, Dean Jagger, Paul Stewart, Vic Morrow and Dolores Hart all contribute strongly to the texture of the film with best in show honors going to Carolyn Jones as a fragile, damaged woman with a good heart. It's a standard role but she makes something quite lovely out of it.

New Orleans singer Elvis Presley (as Danny Fisher) gets into a scuffle on his last day of high school, and is deemed unfit for graduation. Rather than try to pass the 12th grade for the third time, Mr. Presley decides to drop out. With his mother dead and father unemployed, Presley must concentrate on earning a buck. Presley gets involved with hoodlum Vic Morrow (as Shark), who is impressed with his dirty street-fighting skills. Next, Presley becomes the featured singer at his nightclub; but, gangster rival Walter Matthau (as Maxie Fields) wants him to sing at another joint. "King Creole", "Hard Headed Woman", and "Trouble" led RCA's single and EP albums to #1 million-selling status. "Crawfish" (sung with Kitty White) is another great track.Presley pursues two women: innocent "Five and Ten" cent store clerk Dolores Hart (as Nellie) and luscious Carolyn Jones (as Ronnie). A failed songstress serving as Mr. Matthau's moll, Ms. Jones later became "Morticia " on "The Addams Family". Harold Robbins' novel "A Stone for Danny Fisher" translates into high-strung melodramatics for the rock 'n' roll superstar; he is automatically ELVIS when he takes the stage, but otherwise contributes one of his best overall "acting" characterizations. An excellent director (Michael Curtiz), photographer (Russell Harlan), and supporting cast help. There were couple of attempts to build on Presley's worth as a dramatic actor, but the studios never really exceeded the effort you'll see here.****** King Creole (7/2/58) Michael Curtiz ~ Elvis Presley, Carolyn Jones, Walter Matthau, Vic Morrow

First of all this movie is definitely different than other Elvis movies I've watched.The majority of Elvis' other movies all seemed to focus on comedy with him being a playboy with swooning girls in bikini's and really corny dialog and plots. This movie takes on a more serious and dark tone. I've read a lot of other user reviews and critic reviews. Most of them praising Elvis' acting in this movie and I agree. Elvis is good in this movie, finally getting to stretch his acting chops in a more serious role. A shame that Elvis's agent was a total controlling idiot otherwise we may have seen some gold statues on Elvis' shelf. Elvis does sing and the songs are very nice but what's good is that the songs don't overshadow his acting.Even Walter Matthau praised his acting and was upset that he didn't get an Oscar nomination.Now on to the movie itself , while Elvis shines , the movie does not. It is very slow paced and the plot itself rather unbelievable. Elvis plays a young man who is trying to find his place in life after getting kicked out of high school for fighting so he wont graduate. He has a destitute father and has to work to support him. He is a busboy in a club owned by a mobster Maxie Fields(Walter Matthau) - he sings one night and the owner of the King Creole-Charlie LeGrand(Paul Stewart) likes his singing so he hires him to sing.Of course he's a smash and now Maxie wants him to come back and sing at his club ,pretty much a sing for me or else thing. Then subplots of Maxies floozy Ronnie played by Adams Familys Morticia(Carolyn Jones)and a waitress named Nellie(Dolores Hart) ensue along with some street tough gang fights. It seems rather unbelievable that a wealthy mobster who owns half the city of New Orleans would go to such great lengths over a nightclub singer. That's where it loses me , the mob after a guy just to get him to sing in their nightclub? I think the movie is more about the mob leader Maxie's jealousy than actually giving a hoot about Elvis working in his club. The gist I see is Maxie jealous of Elvis sexually -esp since he knows Ronnie is obviously attracted to Elvis so he wants to keep Elvis in his sights and also to let others know that he can have/buy anyone he wants. Also Ronnie used to work for Charlie until Maxie bought her out.Notice how he treats her, like crap. I just got bored once it turned into an "If i cant have you then no one will" type movie. The ending of the movie is rather abrupt and wrapped up with Elvis singing a ballad. It could have been better with a more serious writer and script. 6 out of 10.