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Stay Away, Joe 1/3
Elvis's twenty-sixth film was the rollicking
1968 MGM comedy "Stay Away, Joe." It was based on the
best-selling novel by award winning author Dan Cushman. The novel
became the Book-of-the-Month Club selection for April 1953.
Mr. Cushman based his book on his own native Montana where, after
graduating from college, he first became a prospector and
geologist before becoming a writer of over thirty novels and winning
a number of writing awards. The novel became the basis for
both a Broadway musical and Elvis's movie and all three were both
praised for their hilarious comedy as well as panned for their
negative depiction of Native Americans.
Burt Kennedy and Michael A. Hoey adapted the book for
the screenplay. Mr. Kennedy began performing as a child with
his parents. A decorated WWII veteran, he used his Army
training to become a stunt fencer in films,
then eventually began writing scripts for TV and
movies specializing in westerns.
Peter Tewksbury was the director and would also
direct Elvis in "The Trouble With Girls." He had previously
received Emmy nominations and awards for directing the TV series
"Father Knows Best" and "My Three Sons." He died in 2003 after
having retired to Vermont where he became a well known cheese
expert working with local food producers.
On October 1, 1967, Elvis recorded the songs "Stay
Away, Joe", "All I Needed Was The Rain" and "Dominick." Elvis
hated the song "Dominick," which he was to sing to a bull. He
made producer Felton Jarvis promise that it would never appear on a
record. Since the movie called for only three songs, this
would be the first time in Elvis's movie career that there would not
be a soundtrack album or EP released along with the film. MGM
and Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker decided to have Elvis record
another song that could be played over the opening credits and
released as a single. The song "Stay Away" was written by Sid
Tepper and Roy C. Bennett and based on the melody of the song "Green
sleeves." Elvis recorded it January 16, 1968 and it was
released as the B-side of a single along with "U.S. Male."
Filming began in Sedona and Cottonwood, Arizona on
October 9, 1967. Sedona, known for its incredible beauty and
photographic opportunities, is a favourite spot in the motion
picture industry for location shooting.
Academy Award winner Fred J. Koenekamp was the
cinematographer.
Over 100 Navajo extras from the reservation at Tuba
City were used in the movie.
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