Millie Perkins about Elvis: "He never used his star power — never. Maybe he should have."

Millie Perkins (87 years old) was born in May 12, 1936 in Passaic, New Jersey. Perkins is now retired from working in film and television besides a modelling career as well. After playing the title role in the 1959 movie "THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK", "WILD IN THE COUNTRY" (1961) was Millie Perkins's second movie. She was just about Elvis' own age when they worked together. The filming for Wild In The Country took place between November 1960 and January 1961. Millie was a 24-year-old actress and Elvis turned 26 by the time the movie principal photography was finished in January 1961. In a 1990 interview she talked a bit about her impressions on Elvis Presley while working with him in the early 60s:

"Elvis turned out to be someone I liked very much. I felt there was a man with a heart and soul there who truly cared about people. Certainly he treated me as if he cared about me; there was a mutual respect between us. But his life was on a level that my life was not on. I was married to Dean Stockwell at the time, and he was — I felt like he was drifting. The guys were on the set every day, you know, wrestling on the floor. I didn’t even know what girls he was dating at the time, because it didn’t interest me, his personal life seemed so silly. And yet I knew he was a victim of it. I felt like Philip Dunne [Wild In The Country's director] fawned all over Elvis. Elvis’ attitude was — I saw Elvis looking around that set and summing up people faster than anyone else could have, and I felt that after a short period of time he was disappointed in Philip Dunne, but he was too polite and well behaved to say anything. He tried very hard to make this film better than his other movies, and you saw him trying and asking questions. And I just believe the sad thing is that [the director] did not have the ability to help Elvis through it. I remember doing this one scene; we were sitting in the truck, and we were supposed to be driving home from a dance or going to a dance, and in the script he was supposed to break into song, turn on the radio and start singing. And to me it was like, "Yuck," I was very young, and I thought, "My sisters are going to tease me, this is so embarrassing and tasteless." You see, I was a snob, too. But — and this was the nicest thing — while we were rehearsing, finally the director walked away, and Elvis looks at me and says, "God, this is so embarrassing. Nobody would ever do this in real life. Why are they making me do this?" So there we were, both of us having to do something and we just wanted to vomit. He never used his star power — never. Maybe he should have. Maybe he did it on some other level, but he sure didn’t do it on the set. I felt like he was younger than me, this very humble person who would make statements about what he believed in. And I would think, "He’s saying that to show me he’s a fine human being." All I know is that there was a person there with a refined heart and soul, and I say refined on any level you want to look at it. When you meet someone like that, you know they’re there, even if they’re sitting there eating fifteen lollipops — that’s beside the point. That’s just what they’re doing at that time, but that’s not the essence of the person. The essence of Elvis was as fine a person as I’ve ever met; he treated me as well as anyone has ever treated me in this business."

— Millie Perkins (Betty Lee Parsons in Wild In The Country) about working with Elvis Presley. This 1990's interview excerpt was taken from the book in which it was quoted, "Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley" by Peter Guralnick (1998).

Millie Perkins as Betty Lee Parsons and Elvis Presley as Glenn Tyler in Wild In The Country (1961)

Millie Perkins as Anne Frank in George Stevens' "The Diary of Anne Frank" (1959).

Huh, it's like a filter to see what I would look like as an old man...

Elvis Presley and Carolyn Jones in “King Creole” (1958)

I would give my soul.

December 19, 2003

Actress Hope Lange died of colitis at age 70. (The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Blue Velvet, Death Wish, Pocketful of Miracles, The Young Lions, Peyton Place, Bus Stop, Clear and Present Danger, Wild in the Country, I Love You Goodbye, The Best of Everything, In Love and War)

Elvis Presley | Wild in the Country (1961)

Watch Wild in the Country Tomorrow!

Hey kids, grab your popcorn and a bottle of Old Seminole Tonic and join your friends in the Elvis Movie Gang tomorrow to live chat EP's 1961 melodrama Wild in the Country!

Saturday, July 1st at 1 PM PST/ 3 PM CST/ 4 EST/ 9 UK/ 10 EU/ 6 AM Australia

Come here to watch it at Kosmi

Come for the fingers over his lips, stay for the door slam!

Let me know if you would like to be added to the Elvis Movie Gang taglist, dates are spontaneous and announcements are sometimes made at the last minute. Blame @be-my-ally because I didn't think people were still into this, but I live for a good Elvis movie live chat and will keep organizing them as long as anyone shows up.

@whositmcwhatsit @vintageshanny @missmaywemeetagain @ellie-24 @from-memphis-with-love @powerofelvis @loving-elvis @deke-rivers-1957 @lynettethemadscientist @generoustreemystic @tacozebra051 @prompted-wordsmith @kingdomforapony @lookingforrainbows @ooihcnoiwlerh @ipreferheinousbitch @richardslady121 @elvisabutler @roadtogracelandx45 @dkfixates @eliseinmemphis @amydarcimarie @ab4eva @tarot-sybarite @sillybookmarks @caitlin1996 @ashtag2887 @xenaspace3-blog

ECU Film Ranking Part 1

This will be a 3 part series where after 10 or so movies, I'll rank them in reverse order with 10 being the worst and 1 being the best. My ranks are based on how much I liked the movie, how much I liked Elvis' character, and how well made it was. Each entry will have an explanation so I hope my opinions make sense. If you have any disagreements feel free to share them. Enjoy!

Roustabout

The problem with this movie is simple: it completely misses the point of Charlie's character. When you think about what the movie wants us to believe, Charlie is supposed to be a grown man who's got a chip on his shoulder about being made an orphan and wants his respect. While the movie does show him as pushing back when he's being disrespected, Charlie isn't a jerk who needs to get rid of the chip on his shoulder. If anything Charlie is a saint for having to deal with people who actively hate him. In fact outside of bit characters and Mr. Carver, everyone else is infinitively times worse. How are we supposed to think Charlie needs to learn his lesson when the whole time we're on his side of most confrontations? Overall, it was a good story concept with terrible execution as it a completely wasted potential storylines and an amazing soundtrack.

(John Lennon wrote Revolution 9.)

Wild in the Country

On paper this should be an absolute banger of an Elvis movie: An angry young man who has no faith in himself until he meets someone who inspires him to be better. Too bad the movie felt like it had no idea on how to work with that concept. You get the feeling that each writer had a different story idea but was never able to execute it from start to finish. For instance, the ending was supposed to be tragic but instead became bittersweet in the most mild way possible. Given how this movie initially sets this serious tone where a character's bad actions will have consequences, the ending does a complete 180. Nothing of consequence happens and the movie suffers because of it. If the most intense part of the movie is done and over with in 5 minutes with no time to even digest what happened before we see Glenn go off to college you just sit there thinking "what was the point of that if nothing came out of it?" It's slightly better because at least the first third gave us some of Elvis' best character moments with Glenn giving an emotional monologue about his life.

Love Me Tender

Story wise it's a step up from the other two, but still suffers from executing a vision. The entire 3rd act destroyed whatever character arc Clint had going for him. I get the idea that Clint suddenly turning on Vance and Cathy just because practical strangers filled his head with ideas was something that was added at the last minute to make Elvis more relevant despite an originally smaller role. I can understand Clint being insecure about his manhood and doubting his wife's loyalty, but the execution of that was terrible. Just fix Clint's character arc in the 3rd act, and this movie would've been fine.

Paradise, Hawaiian Style

There's nothing wrong with Rick as a character. The problem's that he's boring. He doesn't have much of a character arc as it's not like him saving Danny showed a new side of him. His womanizing is his character flaw and the driving factor of his irresponsibility. Him rescuing Danny doesn't change that and it definitely doesn't give his romance with Friday any weight as I simply don't believe they have any chemistry. Then again, the only vision this movie had was to showcase actual Hawaii and the Polynesian people. For the 1960s they did that in a pretty respectful way. Drums of the Islands is a great finale song with beautiful visuals. It's a nice finale to conclude an otherwise boring movie. But what a finale it is.

Clambake

As much as I love Scott's character arc, the songs are a mixed bag and the production at times is bad. I also wasn't that enthused about Scott and Dianne's relationship as I thought Dianne was boring. The side characters are fine but again nothing to write home about. I do think that if this was given more time it would've been better, but as it stands it's not at all the worst story. The ballads keep the soundtrack from being completely terrible. It's in general a very mediocre movie with an amazing character arc.

(Joe DiMaggio wore the number 5.)

Production wise this is easily the worst one as some of the effects are so bottom of the barrel of what they wanted to achieve. The story had elements that would've been amazing but simply never expanded on them. However, JODIE IS PEAK. Way more interesting than Josh and easily could've been the main character. The revelation that he's not Pappy's son alone should've been talked about in the movie as opposed to being a throwaway line. His ballad for Midge easily the best song in the movie. Such a shame this movie was rushed out. I genuinely think if they had Elvis just be Jodie, it would've been an absolute banger. The side characters have more personality than Josh and it carries what would've otherwise been a boring movie.

Jailhouse Rock

This movie is ICONIC but character wise Vince falls a bit flat and I have mixed opinion his relationship with Peggy. Vince waffling between liking Peggy and being cold to her is strange. Especially since Peggy simply disappears for a long period of time. When they get together at the end it's like all of the justification for why things were forgiven happened off screen as opposed to naturally seeing it play out. If you simply boil it down to a cocky young man falling off his pedestal and opening up to people, then the movie works. It's very well made but there are still wrinkles that keep it from being in my top 3.

(2 and 3 are interchangeable. They're about even so the difference is simply what I like a little bit more today.)

GI Blues

Story wise I don't see anything that's really wrong with this movie. I think Tulsa is a good character. Any criticisms I have boils down to how I would've written the same story but in a different way. I guess the one criticism I do have is that we get the lie reveal plot element over in done with so little time, that there was no point of even including it. Overall, it's still a well made and enjoyable movie but it doesn't blow me away.

Girl Happy

This is low key one of the best stories in an Elvis movie. It does the lie reveal cliche right as it gives this plot element enough time to develop, climax and then resolve itself naturally. Nothing about this is forced therefore everyone involved feels like they're real people. The point of the conflict is that Rusty is supposed to watch Valerie without her knowing that he's been asked to watch her. If Valerie knew, then she wouldn't want to be around him and would only become more sneaky. The emotional conflict of her finding him and Deena together isn't anyone's fault as it wasn't like anyone wanted to act out of malice. Everyone reacted within reason and despite the miscommunication, this is a situation where telling the truth would've only complicated things. You feel bad for everyone involved and regardless of who you think is in the right, you can totally understand where the other side is coming from. The songs are still very much a mixed bag and that's why I can't put it as my number one, but as a love story it's very underrated.

(You know I had to do this lol.)

Loving You

What can I say it's Elvis' story if he had an actual happy ending. As much as I don't like how Glenda is as a character the ending makes you think she will change. Deke is such a lovable character and it only makes you wonder why he doesn't have a lot of friends. I was angry for Deke when he just forgave Glenda that quickly by coming back. I'm not sure if it's simply because that's who Deke is, or if it's on the writers for not showing us his thought process. It's similar to my criticisms for GI Blues segment. It's simply a matter of "good concept, I just would've executed it a little differently". The songs are all functional to amazing. The movie is very well made as it doesn't feel the need to blast you in the face with color. If anything Deke going from generic "farmer's clothes" to a vibrant white/red combo is so fitting. When Deke is on stage he really comes to life. Even in his regular clothes, it's like they added a brightness to them. Unintentional I'm sure but it's incredible how Deke's clothes reflect his rise from nothing. He goes from being lonely and having low self esteem to feeling joy knowing he isn't alone anymore. Such a shame it's lost in the shuffle of his other 50s movies. This one definitely stands out on its own.

AN: Thank you all for following along with my reviews. If I missed a tag I'm real sorry.

Tagging: @arrolyn1114, @thedaisymaisy, @that-hotdog, @peaceloveelvis, @imaginationlast, @fuzzymusic94, @helen06dreamer, @sfull12345, @briefpandatimemachine, @alittlemoreelvis, @lynettethemadscientist, @motht-eeth, @ash-omalley, @spooky-hazex, @teamnefarious, @blighted-star, @ab4eva, @oh-my-front-door, @father-of-2cats, @atleastpleasetelephone, @xanatenshi, @crazymadpassionatelove, @burnthheparaphilia, @aliengoth3, @smokeymountainboy, @stormie-ryan23

@yksuwyksud, @tacozebra051, @alienelvisobsession, @vintageoldsoul, @ohmygiddd, @lovininapinkcadillac, @stephthestallion, @mistyspresley, @bisexualwvtson, @ahundredlifetime, @karel-in-wonderland, @elvispresleywife, @georgefairbrother, @moonchild-daniella, @musiclover712, @worldofyns, @sillybookmarks, @g00d2balive, @leighpc, @generoustreemystic, @peskybedtime, @thetaoofzoe, @renegadewarrior, @vintagepresley, @tupelomiss, @myradiaz, @pinkcaddyconfessions, @kiankiwi, @presley72elvis, @delulubutidontcare, @januarypresley1969, @livelaughelvis, @hooked-on-elvis, @slayingjd, @ilivebecauseiamforced, @dusintv, @cattcb, @eapep, @jaqueline19997, @richardslady121, @iloveelvis2, @lett-them-eatt-cake, @if-i-can-dream-of-elvis, and @lookingforrainbows.

Watching his movie on his birthday 🍿 I love him in this movie, ugh.

Glenn, what are you doing boy? This is your third time running away 😭

Elvis celebrating his twenty sixth birthday on the set of “Wild In The Country”, 1961.

Hope Lange and Elvis on the set of Wild in the Country (1960)

Elvis' 26th Birthday celebrated on set with Hope (Friday Jan. 8, 1961)

[FAN STORY] Breaking into "Wild In The Country" filming set (1960)

Elvis Presley with fan Cheryl Bass (1960).

Some Elvis fans broke into the "Wild In The Country" filming set (Wild in the Country started filming in November 1960), among them a young girl named Cheryl Bass (who tell us this story), and camped outside Elvis' bungalow hoping to see their idol as soon as he finished the shootings for the day.

They did met Elvis and the star was amazed, wondering how they could have done this with all the security around, but he was not in the slightest mad or anything. He actually laughed his ass out, so loud he unfortunately brought one of the studio's policeman's attention to his devoted fans presence in there.

The guy wanted to guide the girls out of the filming set but Elvis did intercede for them, probably saying he didn't mind having them there — in Cheryl's words: "He stuck up for us," — but the policeman didn't listen. Probably he was following straight orders to keep curious eyes away from the filming set.

What is the most amazing thing is: On their way out, Elvis threatened the policeman saying, "Harm a hair on those pretty heads, sir, and I'll have your badge."

🥹

I know it's the cinephile in me but I have a huge fascination with Elvis's film career.

A short summary is that he wanted to be a serious actor in dramatic roles, and while he did get chances to show off his serious acting chops, he eventually just ended up in cheesy, formulaic musicals which just got worse and worse because his demon of a manager cared more about making money off of the movie soundtracks which lead to Elvis become bitter and depressed about how his film career had turned out. Eventually though he did the 68 Comeback Special on TV and was on top of the world again, but that's a story for another day (or you could research it yourself).

To give another summary about his film career each decade, there were the four pre-army films in the 50s, wildly considered to be his best films, and my favorite of his movies came out that decade (King Creole) so I'd say I agree. Although they were musicals they had still had more of a serious feel than the musicals that would come later, andElvis's characters in these were rebellious, sort of edgy characters (especially in Jailhouse Rock and King Creole).

His post-army films in the 60s were where things changed, with him going from playing rebel characters to starring in family-friendly formulaic musical comedies. Now I'll admit I'm a bit of a hypocrite here. More than anything I mourn the fact that he never got to be the type of actor he wanted and was instead stuck making these types of movies. However, I admit I do have films from this period that I enjoy (G.I. Blues, Blue Hawaii, It Happened at the World's Fair, Viva Las Vegas and Girl Happy). That being said, I don't want to watch every film from this period because I know a lot of them are downright terrible and I guess I want to avoid them out of respect or to avoid second-hand embarrassment. But I'll get back to the 60s period soon.

In the 70s, he didn't actually have anymore films, save for two concert films, Elvis: That's the Way it Is and Elvis on Tour (I highly recommend both if the idea of Elvis concert films sounds interesting to you).

Now back to the 60s. I said that his films at that time were just musical comedies, and that's true. BUT, he did actually make three serious, dramatic films at that time too. The problem is, audiences at the time made them all flop because they wanted to see more formulaic musicals. Yeah, he could've finally had a chance to become the type of actor he wanted but audiences decided they wanted shitty musicals. 

The first one was Flaming Star, a Western. Interestingly, there were gonna be four songs in this movie, but Elvis demanded that two of them be removed, and thankfully it worked. The first song in the film is actually just a song played over the opening credits with the film's title in the lyrics, and the second one is one played in the beginning during a party scene. Since the second song was played during a party scene and therefore fit into the scene naturally as opposed to a song from a musical where breaking out into song and dance happens spontaneously and doesn't make sense logically, I don't consider this film a musical. Anyway, it's an excellent film imo.

The second one is Wild in the Country which is my favorite of the three. In this one Elvis plays a troubled man ordered to live with his uncle on probation and is sent to a psychiatrist who helps him pursue a literary career, but he ends up falling in love with her as well which causes a scandal (a lot more stuff happens but that's my attempt at giving a shitty plot synopsis). The first time I watched it I was floored by how amazing of a film it was which made me even more furious that audiences in the 60s let it flop because we could've had more roles like this. It kept reminding me of his rebel roles from the 50s which is probably a big reason why I loved it so much. Now this one did have a few songs in it but overall it's definitely a dramatic film first and foremost.

And the last one is Charro, another Western. Look, I wanted to like this one so badly. Elvis in a completely non-singing serious role in a dramatic Western? And he has an awesome beard? That sounds awesome! Unfortunately...I found this one so BORING. It's painful to admit, but it's true. I saw a Letterboxd review say that this feels like a sequel because all the characters have an implied history together, and yeah I know what they mean (not saying a film can't have characters with implied history that's up to the audiences to figure out, but here it just feels like it was done wrong. Idk, I can't explain it). It felt like it wanted to have a Spaghetti Western feel, so the whole time I kept thinking how amazing it would've been if it was more like one of Clint Eastwood's iconic Spaghetti Western films like the Fistful of Dollars trilogy. Definitely my least favorite of the three, I'm sad to say.

Soooo yeah. I hope you enjoyed my long-ass ramble, this was actually me trying to contain myself from writing more because like I said, I just find his film career fascinating lmao.

Elvis Presley and Hope Lange in “Wild in the Country” (1961)

January 06, 1961

A birthday party for Elvis on the set of Wild In The Country.. Cast and crew presented him with a plaque saying “Happy Birthday, King Karate.”

I may not be here tomorrow

But I'm close beside you today

So lie to me a little

Say you love me a lot

And I'll be true to you in my way

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Happy Anniversary, My Darling Glenn ❤️

I’m On a Mission!!!!

A really fun one too!

To watch and own all 31 Elvis movies that he starred in! 

So far, I own 7 of the 31! I’m on my way!

Wish me luck, guys!!!

I’ve always loved Elvis music, but this is my first time going through his movies and it’s a treasure trove for sure! I don’t say that ironically. I really do love the films I’ve seen so far.

So far, I own and have watched:

1. Jailhouse Rock (watched it for the second time tonight and it’s still just as good as the first time round!)

2. King Creole (my favorite of his so far!)

3. GI Blues

4. Blue Hawaii

5. Follow That Dream

6. Viva Las Vegas

And I just ordered and will be watching to add to my collection:

7. Wild in the Country

I’ll post reviews on new Elvis movies I watch here, so keep a lookout for that if you’re a fan. 

This is going to be such a fun endeavor, and might take some time too. 

Rock n roll! :D