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Directed John Rich
Writing Credits Allan Weiss (story), Anthony Lawrence
Producer Hal Wallis
Associate Producer Paul Nathan
Production Manager Frank Caffey
Technical Advisor Colonel Tom Parker
Music Joseph J. Lilley
Choreographer Earl Barton
Hair Style supervisor Nellie Manley
Technicolor and Techniscope




Cast Overview
Elvis Presley .... Charlie Rogers, Barbara Stanwyck.... Maggie Morgan, Joan Freeman .... Cathy Lean, Leif Erickson .... Joe Lean, Sue Ane Langdon .... Madame Mijanou, Pat Buttram .... Harry Carver, Joan Staley .... Marge, Dabbs Greer .... Arthur Nielsen, Steve Brodie .... Fred, Norman Grabowski.... Sam, Jack Albertson .... Lou, Jane Dulo .... Hazel

Elvis plays a coffee bar singer who has a fight and takes off on his motorcycle. He gets a job as a Roustabout in the carnival run by (Barbera Stanwyck). He falls for a pretty girl (Joan Freeman) and his singing soon makes the rundown carnival a success. Deciding to quit after a fight with a customer and his romance going badly, Elvis leaves to take up an offer from another carnival. With his departure the show takes a nose dive and soon the creditors are knocking on the door. There is only one chance left. Joan goes after Elvis and persuades him to return and save the carnival. He does so, learning the meaning of hard work and true love.

"ROUSTABOUT"
Written by Bill Grant, Bernie Baum & Florence Kay, Performed by Elvis Presley
The title tune from the film heard over the openning credits. A passable grabber with backing from the Mellomen. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the LP Elvis In Hollywood (1976) and on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"POISON IVY LEAGUE"
Written by Bill Grant, Bernie Baum & Florence Kay, Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis belts out a rocker in the tea house with humourous undertones. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"WHEELS ON MY HEELS"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis sings this rocker as he drives along the highway on his Motor Bike. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"IT'S A WONDERFUL WORLD"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis sings this pleasant number on the Ferris Wheel. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"IT'S CARNIVAL TIME"
Written by Ben Weisman & Sid Wayne, Performed by Elvis Presley
A rollicking, fun tune about the fair with smart, showy lyrics done over an imitation Wurlitzer. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"CARNY TOWN"
Written by Fred Wise & Randy Starr, Performed by Elvis Presley
A zany piano and Rock and Roll type atmosphere, but strictly a novelty tune. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"ONE TRACK HEART"
Written by Bill Grant, Bernie Baum & Florence Kaye, Performed by Elvis Presley
Song with Elvis warning his lover. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"HARD KNOCKS"
Written by Joe Byers, Performed by Elvis Presley
Short rocker with a throbbing drum beat. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"LITTLE EGYPT"
Written by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Performed by Elvis Presley
Stage number with Elvis singing about a show girl. The movie version differs from the record with different vocal backing. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"BIG LOVE, BIG HEARTACHE"
Written by Dolores Fuller, Lee Morris & Sonny Hendrix, Performed by Elvis Presley
One of Elvis' best movie ballads with strong vocal backing. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

"THERES A BRAND NEW DAY ON THE HORIZON"
Written by Joe Byers, Performed by Elvis Presley
An inspirational number sung high and with passion. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Later on the Double Features CD Love In Las Vegas and Roustabout (1993).

Recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios, 7000, Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood. March 1964.

Musicians:
Elvis Presley (vocals), Scotty Moore, Tiny Timbrell, Billy Strange (guitars), Bob Moore, Ray Siegal (bass), D.J. Fontana, Hal Blaine, Buddy Harman, Bernie Mattinson (drums), Floyd Cramer, Dudley Brookes (pianos), Boots Randolph, (sax), the Jordinaires & the Mello Men (vocals)

The soundtrack for Roustabout was recorded in a leisurely manner and this, plus the variety of material, perhaps accounts for the fact that the album sold better than most of the other film packages, actually reaching the top of the hit parade for a brief period.

The song "I Never Had It So Good" was an alternative for the "One Track Heart" sequence. It was never recorded by Elvis.

The tapes for the session were delivered to RCA on August 25th. On November 14th it entered the Billboard album chart and reached number one. It would be Elvis' last album chart topper for eight years. The album reached number 12 in the U.K in January 1965. Despite this success, RCA did not release a single from this gold award soundtrack.

Trivia

Producer Hal Wallis used two veterans of his 1948 movie "Sorry, Wrong Number" in this film, Barbra Stanwyck and Leif Ericson.

Working title for this movie was"Right This Way Folks".

The film introduced future sex symbol star Raquel Welch to movie goers. She is featured in the first few minutes of the film and her opening line is "Uh how come they call this place a tea house?". Richard Keil who was later to play "Jaws" in the James Bond movies appeared as the strong man at the carnival.

Elvis refused to use a double during the fight scenes and for the first time in his career suffered a kick in the head which needed nine stitches. Paramount quickly wrote a crash scene into the script that would allow Elvis to wear a plaster over his eye.

Filming began on March 9th 1964 at Thousand Oaks, California.

For the interior shots three main sound stages at Paramount were opened and combined for the first time in the studio's history.

It is rumoured that Mae West was offered the part of Maggie Morgan, but turned it down.

Barbera Stanwyck's jeans in the movie were specially created by fashion stylist Edith Head.

On February 15th 1965, a dancer by the name of little Egypt sued RCA records, Paramount and Elvis Presley Music for 3 million. She claimed her name was used without permission. She lost the case. The original Little Egypt was Catherine Devine and she caused a sensation at the Chicago World's fair in 1893.

Roustabout opened on November 11th 1964, reaching number 8 on the weekly Variety top grossing list. For the year it achieved number 28 and returned $3 million.

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