Love Me Tender

Elvis plays Clint Reno, the youngest of his brothers who stays behind to tend the family farm while the others go off to fight in the Civil War. The family receives word that the oldest brother, Vance (played by a very handsome Richard Egan) is killed. Cathy, Vance's love, has lost her family in the war and now that Vance is killed, she has no one. Clint marries her and believes that she loves him the way in which he loves her. He does not realize that her heart still belongs to Vance.

Their lives are forever changed when Vance along with his brothers, reappears. He is intent upon marrying Cathy, of spending the rest of his life with her. He soon finds out that she is not free. She is now Clint's wife. Shattered and heartbroken, he conceals his feelings from his younger brother. Yet, he cannot contain the overwhelming love he has for Cathy. Nor can Cathy remain so indifferent. Knowing that Clint will soon discover the feelings they still have for each other, he makes plans to go away. But Fate intervenes.

One reckless act during the war jeopardizes Vance's future. He and his fellow soldiers have taken money. Money that has been traced back to them. They are ordered to return it or face prison. Vance and his brothers agree to this intent upon finding the other members of his troop that took part in this robbery.

Unexpectedly, Clint meets up with the members of Vance's troop and learns the horrible truth. Vance had always loved Cathy. Had longed to marry her. He believes that he was played for a fool and his jealousy and anger escalate causing him to act rashly.

Love Me Tender is an excellant story. This isn't a musical nor does Elvis sing in every scene. The plot is tightly woven with sadness, betrayal, jealousy and a love that will not be denied.

Beforwarned, the ending isn't happily-ever-after. Elvis does die yet I believe that there could have been no other ending. He could never have made Cathy happy especially once Vance came back. With every glance she cast his way, the longing was there in her eyes. And this he knew . . .

An excellant plot, believable characters and the sound of the King's voice. What better way to spend an afternoon. :)


B&W or color?   March 12, 2006
V. A. D. SILVA (Rio de Janeiro, RJ Brazil)
I bought mine and it's in black and white, not colorized as the store claims to be. So I would give all the stores selling this item as colorized version a zero star!!!!


This is where it all started.   March 12, 2008
Brandon Pegg (Kansas City, MO United States)
Want to see where the King of rock and roll got his start in Hollywood? Watch Love me Tender. Elvis was many things, including a very good actor. Let yourself slip away to a simpler time on the silver screen and enjoy seeing Elvis when he was still fairly innocent.


This is where Elvis Presley's movie career really began!   June 18, 2009
Timothy Swan (Boring, Oregon USA)
Thursday, November 15th, 1956, was a rather interesting occasion; because, it was on this date that the educational system of New York City suffered a very unusual setback. It seems as though thousands of young teenage girls who had attended classes that very morning had suddenly vanished; like they had just disappeared off the face of the earth. Well, what the school authorities did not know that the young girls did know about was that they had snuck off to the historic Paramount movie theater in the heart of Times Square in New York to be among the first to actually witness a screening of Elvis Presley's very first feature film debut. A very large cardboard cut-out was seen placed atop of the theater's marquee, covered by a sheet of canvas. When the canvas was removed, the image revealed was that of Elvis Presley, smiling while strumming his guitar. Naturally, the girls all went crazy when this happened. This was an elaborate publicity scheme masterminded by Elvis' manager Col. Tom Parker. Originally released during the 1956 Thanksgiving holiday season, "Love Me Tender" quickly recovered its 1-and-a-half million dollar investment costs within less than three days in the cinemas. This was not only Elvis' screen debut; it was also the first and only time in his film career in which he recieved co-star billing. The movie was originally titled "The Reno Brothers". However, due to the rise in Elvis' overwhelming popularity, the studio decided to change the film's title. This was intended to capatalize on the film's title song, which eventually became another number one hit for Presley. The movie itself wound up becoming the second-highest grossing film of the year 1956, behind "Giant" starring Rock Hudson and James Dean. Elvis would follow this film with 3 more during the 50s: "Loving You", "Jailhouse Rock" and "King Creole". Shortly thereafter, he would go on to serve a 2-year stint in the United States Army overseas in Germany. Elvis himself had a very unique on-screen presence that helped to make him one of the most original personalities in the history of popular entertainment. Many people have thoroughly enjoyed his film career, which spans a total of 33 motion pictures. "Love Me Tender" is a truly classic movie with a brilliant stand-out performance from Elvis Presley, highlighted by 4 songs on the film's soundtrack. If you are a fan of the king, then this is one film event that you will most definitely enjoy. His 4 films from the 50s are considered perhaps his very best, and this is where it all started.