Roustabout

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"Elvis Presley as a Roving, Restless, Reckless, ROUSTABOUT"
  • PG
  • 1964
  • 1 hr 41 min
  • 6.0  (3,278)
  • 50

Roustabout is a 1964 movie starring Elvis Presley, Barbara Stanwyck, and Joan Freeman. It was directed by John Rich and produced by Hal B. Wallis. The movie follows the adventures of a vagabond musician named Charlie Rogers (Elvis Presley) who finds work as a roustabout with a traveling carnival. Along the way, he encounters a series of colorful characters and gets tangled up in their drama, all while trying to find a place to belong and a girl to love.

The movie begins with Charlie Rogers wandering aimlessly down the highway, his guitar slung over his shoulder. He has no money, no prospects, and no real home to speak of. But when he stumbles upon a carnival setting up in a small town, he sees an opportunity. He convinces the carnival owner, Maggie Morgan (Barbara Stanwyck), to give him a job as a roustabout, setting up and tearing down the equipment and attractions.

At first, Charlie is a bit of an outsider among the carnival workers, who are mostly rough and tumble types with their own cliques and rivalries. But he soon befriends a few key people, including Cathy Lean (Joan Freeman), a pretty dancer who catches his eye. Cathy is dating Joe Lean (Leif Erickson), the carnival's muscle-bound strongman, but there is clearly some tension between them.

As the carnival travels from town to town, Charlie gets to know the various acts and attractions, including a bearded lady, a snake charmer, and a motorcycle daredevil. He even gets a chance to show off his own musical talents, performing a few songs on stage. But he also gets pulled into the drama of the carnival workers, including a feud between Maggie and rival carnival owner Harry Carver (Pat Buttram), and a brewing conflict between Joe and his on-again, off-again girlfriend Cathy.

Throughout the movie, Elvis Presley delivers a range of musical performances, including songs like "Roustabout" and "Little Egypt." He also shows off his trademark moves in a few dance sequences. But the movie is more than just a showcase for his talents – it's a colorful, energetic romp through the world of carnival life. The supporting cast is strong, with Barbara Stanwyck delivering a tough-but-caring performance as the carnival owner, and Joan Freeman bringing a sweet innocence to the role of Cathy. There are also plenty of comedic moments, particularly from Pat Buttram as the conniving Harry Carver.

Ultimately, Roustabout is a story about finding your place in the world, and about the bonds that can form between misfits and outcasts. Charlie Rogers may not have much money or stability, but he finds a sense of belonging with the carnival workers. And as he navigates the various conflicts and romances that crop up along the way, he learns that sometimes the most important thing is to stay true to yourself.

Overall, Roustabout is a fun, entertaining movie that showcases Elvis Presley at the height of his fame. It may not be a highbrow masterpiece, but it's a great example of the kind of upbeat, lighthearted fare that ruled the box office in the 1960s. Whether you're an Elvis fan or just looking for a fun, feel-good movie, Roustabout is well worth checking out.

Roustabout is a 1964 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 50.

Roustabout
Description
Where to Watch Roustabout
Roustabout is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at The Roku Channel, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Roustabout for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1964
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 41 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.0  (3,278)
  • Metascore
    50
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