Wild in the Country

Wild in the Country. The film is a 1961 American drama directed by Philip Dunne and starring Elvis Presley, Hope Lange, Tuesday Weld, and Millie Perkins. It was produced by Jerry Wald and written by Clifford Odets, based on the 1958 novel The Lost Country by J.R. Salamanca. The movie features Elvis Presley as a young writer, and it was filmed on location in Napa Valley, California, and at 20th Century Studios in Los Angeles, California, with Boris Kaufman serving as the cinematographer and Lionel Newman as the editor.

Plot

The plot of the film revolves around Glenn Tyler, a young writer played by Elvis Presley, who is struggling to find his place in the world. He is torn between his love for Noreen Martin, played by Tuesday Weld, and his desire to pursue a career in writing. Along the way, he meets Irene Sperry, played by Hope Lange, a beautiful and sophisticated woman who becomes his mentor and love interest. The story is set in the American South and explores themes of love, family, and identity, with Glenn Tyler drawing inspiration from the works of William Faulkner and Ernest Hemingway. As Glenn Tyler navigates his relationships and career aspirations, he is influenced by the writings of F. Scott Fitzgerald and the music of Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.

Production

The production of the film was overseen by Jerry Wald, who worked closely with Philip Dunne to bring the story to life. The screenplay was written by Clifford Odets, who drew inspiration from the novel The Lost Country by J.R. Salamanca. The film features a mix of drama, romance, and music, with Elvis Presley performing several songs, including A Little Less Conversation and I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell. The production team included Boris Kaufman as the cinematographer, Lionel Newman as the editor, and Kenyon Hopkins as the composer, with 20th Century Studios serving as the primary filming location. The film's production was also influenced by the works of Tennessee Williams and the French New Wave movement, with Philip Dunne drawing inspiration from the films of Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut.

Cast

The cast of the film includes Elvis Presley as Glenn Tyler, Hope Lange as Irene Sperry, Tuesday Weld as Noreen Martin, and Millie Perkins as Betty Lee Parsons. The cast also features John Ireland as Frank Tyler, Gary Lockwood as Clint Richards, and William Mims as George Deever. The actors were directed by Philip Dunne, who worked to bring out the best in each performer, with Elvis Presley drawing inspiration from the acting styles of Marlon Brando and James Dean. The cast's performances were influenced by the works of Arthur Miller and the Actors Studio, with Hope Lange and Tuesday Weld both being members of the Actors Studio.

Release

The film was released in 1961 by 20th Century Studios and was distributed to theaters across the United States. The release was accompanied by a marketing campaign that highlighted the film's romantic and dramatic elements, with Elvis Presley's music being a major draw for audiences. The film was also screened at several film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Berlin International Film Festival, with Philip Dunne and Jerry Wald attending the screenings. The film's release was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the Feminist Movement, with the film's themes of love and identity resonating with audiences.

Reception

The reception of the film was generally positive, with critics praising the performances of the cast, particularly Elvis Presley and Hope Lange. The film was also a commercial success, grossing over $2 million at the box office and becoming one of the top-grossing films of 1961. The film's success can be attributed to the combination of Elvis Presley's music and the dramatic storyline, which appealed to a wide range of audiences, including fans of Rock and Roll and Country Music. The film's reception was also influenced by the works of Tennessee Williams and the Southern Gothic genre, with the film's themes of love and identity being compared to the works of William Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor. The film has since become a classic of American cinema, with Elvis Presley's performance being cited as one of the greatest in his career, alongside his performances in Jailhouse Rock and Viva Las Vegas.