Elvis Presley: The Rainmaker screentest
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- Опубліковано 2 тра 2017
- In March 1956, Elvis flew to Hollywood for a screentest. He memorised and performed a scene from "The Rainmaker", which was about to start filming.
Elvis played the part of Jim Curry, a headstrong young man, and all that remains of his test are a few black and white photographs, which are here overlaid on the same scene from the finished movie, where the part is played by Earl Holliman who won a Golden Globe for his portrayal.
Unless the real screentest turns up one day, this is likely as close as we’ll get to the real thing …
If you’re interested in the career of the young Elvis Presley you might like to follow these links:
www.georgesmithpublications.com
WalkALonelyStreet
/ georgesmithpub
Someone should post this under lost media wiki. We have the stills as evidence that this screentest existed. Maybe we can get confirmation as to whether the footage still exists.
It's so sad that he didn't get the part. The photos seemed wonderful, and I would say more than a match for Holloman. And the part was age-appropriate for him,
Thank you George! A lot of photos, some of which are new to me, and others in context. 👍🏼
It’s incredible there are only stills of the screen test remaining, but thank you for putting this together
ELVIS with his photographic memory.
He memorized his lines and the entire
cast's lines.
Elvis would have played the role brilliantly but they still would not have given him the Golden Globe Award back them. Just the way they did Elvis Presley!!! Love and Remembered Always and Forever, Forever and Always
Thanks for this George.
Many people I talk to about this doubt me. But I remember reading about it years ago. I don't think Elvis failed the screen test I think the Colonel stepped in and said no just like he did with Midnight Cowboy (with Dustin Hoffman), True Grit (with John Wayne) & A Star Is Born (with Barbra Streisand) -- three major films Elvis was considered for. It's what he wanted -- to be taken seriously.
In the film industry, Elvis got rave reviews from co-star Walter Matthau, director Michael Curtiz (Casablanca/King Creole), Vic Morrow, Richard Egan & later Barbara Stanwyck.
He sure looked good for that screen test. It was a simple, cheap test. Elvis had a lot to memorize. He really thought that he was going to be in this movie. But he couldn’t have been billed as he was in love me tender.
he did do the screen test its on the back of an original 1956 magazine
I saw this movie and I was glad Elvis was not a part of it, it was just a talking movie, nothing much happened and that part was not good for Elvis, it was just a supporting role. His role in Love Me Tender was better, there was action.
But this couldve been a good break for him cause he with the big stars. His path to acting and movies couldve been different too.
Elvis fell on B-movies 🤦♀️
This would have been a better part than Love Me Tender much ady I love that movie.
They'll find a copy someday. So he didn't read for Lancaster's part! Hmmm. By the way that's a massive amount of dialogue to speak and to memorize! By I bet Elvis worked in that script and studied it and memorize every line!
Massive elvis and burt lancaster fan...would have loved them to have been in a film together...elvis in jailhouse rock and king creole showed glimpses of how good he could have been as an actor....but parker the money man put paid to that....Elvis was also very good in follow that dream..the film was poor but he is really good....as a niaive childlike sees the best in people character...
More a stage play than movie.
It’s always been my understanding that it was Col. Tom who vetoed Elvis being in this movie. I’ve always liked Earl’s acting but I think Elvis could’ve brought more edge to the role and being in a movie with Katherine and Burt would’ve brought him more credibility as an actor.
Elvis did the read for this movie with Burt Lancaster...from what I read about it, I think it was Lancaster who didn't want Elvis at the time via no real acting experience at that time...
I’ve also read that John Wayne wanted Elvis in True Grit but Parker nixed that as well. It’s a shame because as much as I respect Glen Campbell as a musician, I think Elvis would have done a better job.
Holliman did a tremendous job playing Jimmy. I doubt Elvis could have matched Holliman’s performance. Elvis was still raw and had virtually no acting experience. The part of Jimmy called for a wide range of vocal and facial expressions, and an ability to connect with Lloyd Bridges (Noah) which frankly Elvis would have struggled with. To cast Elvis would have been to take a tremendous risk playing against the likes of Kathryn Hepburn and Burt Lancaster. Elvis was still ‘wooden’ in his acting so I’m not surprised he didn’t get the part.
I don't think Earl is very good here. He was a better cop on Police Woman.
The cast was brilliant (Burt Lancaster Katherine Hepburn) but the movie was not...love me tender much better choice...
Holloman played the part way better than Elvis could have. Elvis was an awesome entertainer, but he couldn't act very well at all.
Totally untrue, Elvis was a very good actor and had the potential to be a great actor. He acted very well in his movies with the material he was given. Obviously, early on scenes were understandably not all perfect as he was learning as he was acting in his first movies but even then great directors, producers, and co-stars recognized Elvis had a natural ability and stated given the chance he could have been really great. His dramatic acting in "King Creole" was brilliant and believable. It was the colonel who prevented Elvis from doing serious roles which is a great shame as Elvis when faced with a new challenge always succeeded brilliantly.👑
@@JC-rm7wl I suppose you have a point. I didn't mean to say he couldn't act at all. I guess in those days, things were different. He acted as good as most actors in those days.
@@Deewayne2K18 I just wished he'd had more opportunities to prove himself as a dramatic actor, however, Earl Holliman did portray the character very well in the movie👍✌