www.elvis.com |
Frankie and Johnny, 2
Frederick De Cordova was the director for "Frankie and Johnny."
The long-time producer/director had many TV credits including "The
George Burns and Gracie Allen Show," "December Bride," "Leave It To
Beaver," "My Three Sons", "Burke's Law," "The Smothers Brothers
Show" and "Mr. Belvedere." He is best known for "The Tonight Show
Starring Johnny Carson" for which he received four Emmy Awards.
Elvis played Johnny in "Frakie and Johnny." Johnny's sidekick Cully
was played by Harry Morgan, who has had many roles in film and TV
since 1942, including his recurring roles on "December Bride, "Pete
and Gladys," "Dragnet" and "Hec Ramsey." However, he is best known
for his portrayal of Colonel Sherman T. Potter on the TV series
"M*A*S*H," for which he received eight Emmy Award nominations,
winning one. He also received a nomination for the series "December
Bride."
Anthony Eisley played Clint Braden. The former stage actor had
become a household name in the very popular 1959 TV series "Hawaiian
Eye."
Gravelly voiced Robert Strauss played Blackie. Earlier, he played
Sam, the owner of the Pirate's Den in the Elvis movie "Girls! Girls!
Girls!" The son of a theatrical costume designer, he worked as a
singing waiter before becoming a successful actor on Broadway. He
portrayed "Animal" in the play "Stalag 17" and his reprisal of that
role in the movie version earned him a 1954 Academy Award
nomination.
Naomi Stevens was Princess Zolita the gypsy fortune teller. Among
her credits are many roles on TV series including "The Flying Nun,"
"The Doris Day Show," "The Streets of San Francisco," "The
Montefuscos" and "Vega$." She also played Queen Liliuokalani in the
movie "The Hawaiians."
Stevens's fellow gypsy was played by veteran actor Henry Corden, who
has had numerous TV and movie roles. However, you might want to
close your eyes and listen to his voice and see if you recognize it
- he has been the voice of Fred Flintstone for over thirty years and
has other animated characters.
Earl Barton was the choreographer for "Frankie and Johnny" as he had
been for the Elvis movies "Roustabout" and "Harum Scarum." Joining
him were a number of the Earl Barton dancers including Wilda Taylor,
who had played both Little Egypt in "Roustabout" and Amethyst in "Harum
Scarum." Another of his dancers, Judith Chapman, has since gone on
to numerous roles on TV that include recurring roles on "Ryan's
Hope," "General Hospital," "One Life To Live" and "Days of Our
Lives" among others.
Elvis reported for pre-production on May 11, 1965 and he was
released on June 24, 1965. The film premiered in Baton Rouge,
Lousiana on March 31, 1966. Co-stars Donna Douglas, Sue Ane Langdon
and Nancy Kovack attended. It was the #48 movie for the year of
1966, grossing over $2,000,000. The single "Frankie and Johnny"
peaked at #25 in an 8-week run on the chart. The soundtrack album
spent 19 weeks on the chart and peaked at #20. |
