Flaming Star

Flaming Star is a 1960 Western film directed by Don Siegel and starring Elvis Presley, Barbara Eden, and Steve Forrest. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Clair Huffaker, which was published in 1958. Elvis Presley's performance in the film was praised by critics, including those from The New York Times and Variety (magazine). The movie was produced by David Weisbart and released by 20th Century Fox.

Introduction

The film Flaming Star is set in the American West and tells the story of a Native American named Pacer Burton, played by Elvis Presley, who is caught between his Kiowa heritage and his European-American upbringing. The movie explores themes of identity, loyalty, and violence, and features a range of characters, including Barbara Eden as Roslyn Pierce and Steve Forrest as Clint Burton. The film's director, Don Siegel, was known for his work on other Western films, such as The Duel at Silver Creek and The Gun Runners. The movie's screenplay was written by Nunnally Johnson and Clair Huffaker, based on Huffaker's novel of the same name, which was published by Doubleday (publisher).

Plot

The plot of Flaming Star revolves around Pacer Burton, a Native American who is struggling to find his place in the world. Pacer is caught between his Kiowa heritage and his European-American upbringing, and is forced to navigate a range of challenges, including violence and prejudice. The film features a range of characters, including Barbara Eden as Roslyn Pierce, a schoolteacher who becomes involved with Pacer, and Steve Forrest as Clint Burton, Pacer's half-brother. The movie also explores themes of identity, loyalty, and violence, and features a range of locations, including the American West and the Kiowa Indian Reservation. The film's plot is similar to other Western films, such as The Searchers and Red River (film), which were directed by John Ford and Howard Hawks, respectively.

Production

The production of Flaming Star was overseen by David Weisbart, who worked with director Don Siegel to bring the film to life. The movie was shot on location in Arizona and Utah, and featured a range of Native American actors, including Ricardo Montalban and Dolores del Río. The film's cinematography was handled by Charles G. Clarke, who worked with Don Siegel to create a range of visually stunning scenes. The movie's editing was handled by Hugh S. Fowler, who worked with Don Siegel to create a fast-paced and action-packed film. The film's production was also influenced by other Western films, such as The Wild Bunch and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which were directed by Sam Peckinpah and George Roy Hill, respectively.

Music

The music for Flaming Star was composed by Cyril J. Mockridge, who worked with Elvis Presley to create a range of memorable songs. The film features a range of musical numbers, including the title song, which was written by Sid Wayne and Sherman Edwards. The movie's soundtrack was released by RCA Records and features a range of Elvis Presley's most popular songs, including A Little Less Conversation and Can't Help Falling in Love. The film's music is similar to other Western films, such as The Alamo (1960 film) and How the West Was Won (film), which featured music by Dimitri Tiomkin and Alfred Newman (composer), respectively.

Release

Flaming Star was released in 1960 by 20th Century Fox and was a commercial success, grossing over $2 million at the box office. The film received positive reviews from critics, including those from The New York Times and Variety (magazine). The movie was also praised by Elvis Presley's fans, who appreciated his performance in the film. The film's release was influenced by other Western films, such as Rio Bravo (film) and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, which were directed by Howard Hawks and John Ford, respectively. The film's success can also be attributed to the popularity of Elvis Presley's music, including his hit songs Heartbreak Hotel and Hound Dog (song), which were released by RCA Records.

Reception

The reception of Flaming Star was positive, with many critics praising Elvis Presley's performance in the film. The movie was praised by critics from The New York Times and Variety (magazine), who appreciated the film's themes of identity, loyalty, and violence. The film was also praised by Elvis Presley's fans, who appreciated his performance in the film. The movie's success can be attributed to the popularity of Western films in the 1960s, which included films such as The Magnificent Seven (1960 film) and One-Eyed Jacks, which were directed by John Sturges and Marlon Brando, respectively. The film's reception was also influenced by the work of other directors, including Akira Kurosawa and Sergio Leone, who directed films such as Seven Samurai and A Fistful of Dollars, respectively. Category:Western films