Roustabout (1964) was Elvis Presley’s 16th film and a popular one at the box office. The movie is notable for its cast of actresses, particularly the legendary Barbara Stanwyck.
The most significant relationship on set was between Elvis and Stanwyck. A screen legend with a career spanning decades, Stanwyck was Elvis’s most distinguished co-star to date. Elvis was reportedly in awe of Stanwyck and worked hard to meet her professional standards. She, in turn, was impressed with his punctuality, good manners, and ability to deliver his lines. Stanwyck herself was intrigued by the idea of working with Presley, as it would expose her to a younger audience.
Producer Hal B. Wallis, who had worked with both stars before, famously said, “You’ve got it all wrong. Elvis is acting in Miss Stanwyck’s picture.” This quote highlights the high regard in which Stanwyck was held, and the mutual respect between the two stars was a key element of the behind-the-scenes atmosphere.
When Hollywood correspondent Armand Archerd asked Barbara how she and Elvis got along on the set. Elvis showed the “utmost respect” for her, she responded. He insisted on calling her “Miss Stanwyck,” despite her kidding him about it. Summing it up, “I liked him,” she said. Later she told Hedda Hopper, “He’s a perfect gentleman. After working with some people here, I was pleasantly surprised.”
In Al DiOrio’s 1983 biography of Barbara Stanwyck, he included the following statement that Stanwyck had made while working with Elvis Presley during the filming of Roustabout in 1964: “So many people expect the swelled head and all that sort of thing. As a matter of fact, very honestly, so did I. It is not the case. Elvis was a wonderful person to work with. His manners are impeccable, he is on time, he knows his lines, he asks for nothing outside of what any other actor or actress wants.”
Joan Freeman, who played Cathy Lean, Elvis’s love interest said, “First of all, I’d like to let people know what a fine person Elvis is. He’s very considerate and so modest you’d never know he was a big star with admirers in every corner of the world.” In real life, she and Elvis did not spend much time together off-set.
Joan Staley, who played Marge the waitress, recalled a particular scene with Elvis where her character slaps him. She asked if it could be “pulled” (i.e. fake/slightly off-frame) but Elvis said “no … I want you to slap me.” So that slap in the filmed scene is real.
Roustabout was an early, uncredited film appearance for Raquel Welch, who was just starting her career. She was one of the college girls at the tea house. “Roustabout in 1964 was my very first film in Hollywood,” she said. “I was a bit player in the opening moments. Like many adolescents of the 1950s, I had been completely gaga over Elvis. I saw him live in San Diego in one of his early shows. It was my first rock ‘n’ roll music concert ever. That was the first time that I ever conjured up what a sexy guy could be.
“But when I saw him on the set of Roustabout, I was a little bit taken aback because something had changed about him. It seemed like he was more packaged. His clothes were not the same, his hair was obviously dyed now, and it was all sprayed into place. It was a little shocking to me because it was a whitewashed, cleaned-up Elvis. They took all the sex out of him!”
Teri Garr was another future star who had an early, uncredited role. She appeared as a college girl and was a backup dancer in several musical numbers.
On set, Elvis seems to have had cordial, friendly relationships with many of the supporting actresses and extras. For example, extras or bit players (like Diane Libby, Suzanne Covington) recalled that Elvis would talk to people, sign autographs, etc.
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