Love Me Tender

Elvis' first movie, Love Me Tender, premiered Nov. 15, 1956 at New York's Paramount Theatre.

Vance Reno (Richard Egan), two of his younger brothers and some members of a cavalry group from the South steal the pay of the Northern army. After their return they learn that the war is over already. They split the money and return home. To Vance the reunion is a disappointment, because he had been reported as dead two years before, and his youngest brother Clint (Elvis) has married Vance's girl. Conflicts and misunderstandings because of the stolen money follow each other. The brothers are arrested and freed again. Clint gets shot while he is defending his brother Vance during a fight, and he dies.

Actor Richard Egan who played Vance Reno, older brother to Elvis' character, Clint, was a high ranking officer in the U.S. Army during W.W.II. He received a master's degree at Stanford and taught school at North-western before deciding to become an actor. He won a Golden Globe award in 1953 as Most Promising Male Newcomer.

Neville Brand played Mike Gavin, the man who shot and killed Elvis' character. Brand had joined the Army in 1939, intending to make it his career, and became the fourth most decorated GI in World War II. While in the army he made his acting debut in army training films, which changed the direction of his life. Brand went on to play in 79 movie roles and 29 TV roles. His heavy features and gravel voice made him a natural tough guy. He would play gangster Al Capone in four different projects.

Elvis Presley & Debra Paget in Love Me Tender

Mildred Dunnock played Elvis' mother. Dunnock was nominated twice for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar - first for Death Of A Salesman (1951) and then for Baby Doll (1956). She was a schoolteacher before becoming a character actress. 

Bruce Bennett played Major Kincaid. Bruce Bennett was his name as an actor. Before that he was known as Herman Brix, a silver medal winner for shot put in the 1928 Olympics. He was personally picked by Tarzan creator Edgar Rice Burroughs to follow in the footsteps of fellow Olympic stars Johnny Weissmuller and Buster Crabbe to play the role of Tarzan on the silver screen. He would go on to play in 119 movies. Bennett left showbiz for regular business in 1960.

Barry Coe, who played Mr. Davis, won a Golden Globe in 1959 as Most Promising Male Newcomer, nominated with Troy Donahue, George Hamilton and James Shigeta. Shigeta's greatest fame came with the film Flower Drum Song and he later co-starred with Elvis in the film Paradise, Hawaiian Style.

Producer David Weisbart would go on to produce three more Elvis movies: Flaming Star, Follow That Dream and Kid Galahad. Weisbart's credits included producing Rebel Without A Cause (1955) and an Oscar nomination for Best Editing for Johnny Belinda (1948).

Director Robert D. Webb had won an Oscar as Best Assistant Director for 1937's In Old Chicago.

Writer Robert Buckner had won both a Writers Guild Of America award and a Golden Globe award for Bright Victory (1951) and had received an Oscar nomination for writing for the film Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Soundtrack

- Love Me Tender
- Poor Boy
- Let Me
- We're Gonna Move

All songs written by Ken Darby [billed as Vera Matson] although credited as Elvis Presley and Ken Darby [billed as Vera Matson])

Directed-Robert D Webb
Writing Credits-Robert Buckner
Produced by David Weisbart
Screenplay Robert Buckner
Based on a story by Maurice Geraghty
Music by Lionel Newman
Assistant Director Stanley Hough
Technical Advisor Colonel Tom Parker
Hair styles Helen Turpin
Sound Alfred Bruzlin and Harry M Leonard.

Cast Overview
Richard Egan - Vance Reno, Debra Paget - Cathy Reno, Elvis Presley - Clint Reno, Robert Middleton - Mr. Siringo, William Cambell - Brett Reno, Neville Brand - Mike Gavin, Mildred Dunnock - Martha Reno,Bruce Bennett - Mr. Kincaid, James Drury - Ray Reno, Russ Conway - Ed Galt, Ken Clark - Kelso.Barry Coe - Davis,Paul E Burns - Jethro, LQ Jones - Flemming, Jerry Sheldon - Train Conductor.