Elvis Presley

Donna Douglas

Harry Morgan

Sue Ane Langdon

Nancy Kovack

Audrey Christie

Robert Strauss

Anthony Eisley

Joyce Jameson

William Benedict

Mushy Callahan

Judy Chapman

Henry Corden

Jerome Cowan

Cliff Norton

Eddie Quillan

Naomi Stevens

Wilda Taylor

Larri Thomas

Robert B. Williams

Dave Willock

James Millhollin

Charles Cirillo

Fred Curt

James Elsegood

James Gonzalez

George Klein

Joseph La Cava

Tommy Ladd

Jack Littlefield

Bert May

Kent McCord

Gary Menteer

Richard Reeves

Clark Ross

Joe Walls

Howard Wendell

Marc Wilder

Dick Winslow

John Zimeas

Frederick de Cordova

Al Overton Sr.

Fred Karger

Max Frankel

Wesley Jeffries

Morris Hoffman

Jacques R. Marquette

Gwen Wakeling

Harold E. Knox

Grant Whytock

Alfred R. Bird

Earl Barton

Edward Small

Herbert S. Greene

Dan Greenway

Harvey Clermont

Joan St. Oegger

Edna Bullock

Walter M. Simonds

Nat Perrin

Alex Gottlieb

Comedy

Music

Romance

Frankie and Johnny

Edward Small Productions

United States of America

_**Elvis on a riverboat casino in the 1890s**_

Johnny (Presley) performs on stage with his partner, Frankie (Donna Douglas), on a riverboat casino on the Mississippi River in the 1890s. To improve his luck at gambling, a gypsy woman says he should look for a redhead. When the girlfriend of the casino manager shows up (Nancy Kovack), Johnny feels he needs her to win, which rubs Frankie the wrong way. Harry Morgan plays the piano player while Sue Ane Langdon is on hand as a lonely performer.  

"Frankie and Johnny" (1966) was Elvis' 20th movie of the 31 in his acting filmography. This one has fallen into obscurity because, while fun and colorful, it doesn’t stand with Presley’s more notable flicks, like “Roustabout” (1964), “Viva Las Vegas” (1964), “Kid Galahad” (1962), “Blue Hawaii” (1961), “Easy Come, Easy Go” (1966) and “Live a Little, Love a Little” (1968).

Presley movies are known for taking the Elvis formula and inserting it into different environments. For instance, in “Roustabout” Elvis is a carnival worker, in “Viva Las Vegas” he’s a racer and in “Kid Galahad” he’s a boxer. So “Frankie and Johnny” is the riverboat casino installment. 

I think what hinders the movie is that it’s entirely set bound and so it has an artificial air, which is augmented by its campy, comedic vibe. In other words, don’t expect the serious drama of “Roustabout” and “Kid Galahad.” Nevertheless, it’s an amusing, colorful flick when you’re in the mood for something light and entertaining. And it’s good to see Nancy Kovack, who’s most famous for playing Nona in the Star Trek episode “A Private Little War” (1968). Donna of course played Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies.  

The film runs 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was shot at Samuel Goldwyn Studios and The Lot in West Hollywood.

GRADE: C+/B-

English

Frankie and Johnny (1966) Original Trailer [FHD]