A Shot in the Knee: Frankie and Johnny

FRANKIE AND JOHNNY (US, 1966)

Original title: Frankie and Johnny

Filming date:

April - June 1965

Release date:

March 31, 1966

Running time:

87min

Production company:

United Artists

Budget:

US$ 4,5 million

Box office:

US$ 2,7 million

Main cast:

Elvis Presley

Donna Douglas

Sue Ane Langdon

Nancy Kovack
Harry Morgan
Anthony Eisley

Soundtrack:

"Frankie and Johnny" (single)
[b/w "Please Don't Stop Loving Me"]
(March 1, 1966)
"Frankie And Johnny" (LP)
(April 2, 1966)

"Frankie And Johnny" (LP)
(Re-release - December 1976)
"Frankie and Johnny" (CD)
(FTD - November 2003)

Frankie and Johnny is Elvis' twentieth film. In it, Johnny and his girlfriend Frankie are musical attractions on a floating casino on the Mississippi River who find fortune - and trouble - when an agent takes them to Broadway.

After the great disappointments with "Harum Scarum" (1965), MGM passed Elvis' contract to its subdivision, United Artists. The production company, in turn, wanted to try to revive the singer's name in the movies with a more focused and dramatic story than what the audience was used to seeing in the 3 or 4 previous films.

However, there were many problems: the scriptwriters were the same, the producers had the same idea of ​​"renewal", the studio wanted "cheap, quick and commercial fun" and, of course, Colonel Parker only wanted to make a profit to pay for his gambling. It soon became clear to Elvis that this would be a standard production with "more of the same", a waste of time and his talent.

United Artists even tried to make a big production in terms of names. The idea was to bring Ann-Margret to act alongside Elvis again, since the actress still had contractual obligations for one more film with the company, but Margret declined the offer to do "Stagecoach".

Elvis began filming, with much regret, on April 11, 1965. For his leading lady partner, United called Donna Douglas, who was "America's sweetheart" at the time for her role in the series "The Beverly Hillbillies" (1963-1971). As supporting actresses, Sue Ane Langdon and Nancy Kovack completed the trio of beauties in the production.

The film was one of the least successful in Elvis' film career, failing to recoup its budget and leaving a debt of approximately $2 million. As stipulated in his contract, Elvis received a fee of $700,000 plus 50% of the profits - approximately $1.3 million.

SOUNDTRACK

To help the atmosphere of the film, several famous songs from the 20th century, such as "When the Saints Go Marching in" and "Down By the Riverside", were used in the soundtrack. The main theme of the production was released on a single that contained "Please Don't Stop Loving Me" on its B-side on March 1, 1966.

Twelve songs were recorded for the production between May 12 and 19, 1965 at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. All were used in the film and on the LP released on April 2, 1966 (although this date is disputed). The album peaked at #20 on the charts upon its release. RCA reissued the LP on its budget label (Camden) in November 1976 with new cover art and omitting three tracks.

FTD reissued the album in 2003 in a version that included all the outtakes from the recording sessions and other bonus features.

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SUPPORTING CAST

DONNA DOUGLAS

Born Doris Ione Smith in Pride, Louisiana, on September 26, 1932, Donna first devoted herself to a modeling career, being elected Miss New Orleans in 1957. After moving to New York, Hal Wallis, producer of several Elvis films, cast her as a supporting actress in "Career" (1959).

Her career began on television in 1960, appearing in several series of the time and in her most iconic role, Elly May Clampett, in the world-famous "The Beverly Hillbillies" (1962-1971). "Frankie and Johnny" was filmed during the cast's vacation in 1965, but it did little to help her film career because she was always cast in country roles.

In 1982, Douglas decided to dedicate herself to Gospel, releasing four albums. In 1993, she filed a lawsuit against Disney, claiming that the film "Sister Act" plagiarized her book. In 2011, another controversial lawsuit involved CBS and Mattel, due to the release of the Elly May Barbie, for which Douglas claimed she never gave permission for the use of her image or character.

Donna Douglas died of pancreatic cancer on January 1, 2015, at the age of 82.

SUE ANE LANGDON

Born in Paterson, New Jersey, on March 8, 1936, Sue Ane was the daughter of soprano Grace Lookhoff and grew up in a musical environment. She made her television debut in 1955, and her first chance in the movies came in "The Great Impostor" (1961), with Tony Curtis.

The actress appeared in several series such as "The Andy Griffith Show", "Gunsmoke", "Perry Mason", "Bonanza" and "Happy Days". These works that demonstrated her talents earned her leading roles in the movies "The Rounders" (1965), "A Guide For the Married Man" (1967), and others, in addition to "A Fine Madness" (1966), which earned her a photoshoot in Playboy. With Elvis, the actress starred in "Roustabout" (1964) and "Frankie and Johnny".

Sue Ane married director Jack Emrek in 1959 and remained with him until his death in 2010. She retired in 1991 to focus on her health and family and currently, at age 88 (2024), lives on her ranch in the San Fernando Valley, California.

NANCY KOVACK

Born in Flint, Michigan, on March 11, 1935, Kovack became interested in acting when she moved to New York City and became one of Jackie Gleason's assistants. She appeared in several TV series, including "Star Trek", "Bewitched", "I Dream od Jeannie", "Batman" and "The Invaders".

With her profile rising, Kovack began to land roles in Hollywood films, most notably in "Jason and the Argonauts" (1963), "Diary of a Madman" (1963), with Vincent Price, "The Outlaws is Coming" (1965), with The Three Stooges, and "Frankie and Johnny".

On Broadway, she appeared in The Disenchanted. Her last film role was in "Marooned" (1969), a science fiction drama. In the same year, she married conductor Zubin Mehta, then music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Currently, Nancy Mehta, at 89 (2024), dedicates herself solely to following in her husband's footsteps in various places around the world where he is hired as conductor of famous orchestras such as those in Munich and Valencia.

HARRY MORGAN

Born Harry Bratsberg on April 10, 1915 in Detroit, Michigan, he became interested in acting in 1935. His film debut was with "To the Shores of Tripoli" (1942) and his great success began with the biopic of Glenn Miller, "The Glenn Miller Story" (1954).

During the same period, Morgan was in several other films and dramatic productions such as "Dragonwyck" (1946), "Inherit the Wind" (1960) e "How the West Was Won" (1962). In fact, "Frankie and Johnny" was one of the lowest points in his career.

His return to fame came in 1967 as Detective Bill Gannon, his best-known role, in the series "Dragnet" (1967 - 1970). In the following years, his participation in "M.A.S.H." (1972 - 1983) is well remembered, as well as his numerous projects in cinema, TV and theater, including directing some films. Recurring appearances in the series "3rd Rock From the Sun" (1996 - 2001) populated the last years of his career.

The actor passed away in his sleep on December 7, 2011, at the age of 96.

ANTHONY EISLEY

Born Frederick Glendinning Eisley on January 19, 1925 in Philadelphia, he became interested in acting at an early age. His film debut was in 1952 with "Fearless Fagan", and television would cast him in mid-level roles in series the following year. His national success came in 1958, under contract with Warner Bros., which changed his name to Anthony.

Although he appeared more in high-budget films, Anthony always declared that he liked low-budget productions and horror stories, such as "The Wasp Woman", which he filmed in 1959, and "Frankie and Johnny". Eisley starred in the series "Hawaiian Eye" (1959-1963), playing a detective much appreciated by Elvis.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the actor had special guest appearances on series such as "Dragnet", "Perry Mason" and "The Wild Wild West". His most memorable role was as Griff, played by the actor in the 1964 film "The Naked Kiss". Between 1980 and his retirement in 1991, the actor appeared in low-budget horror films such as "Deep Space" (1988).

Eisley died of a massive heart attack on January 29, 2003, at the age of 78.