From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Charro! | |
|---|---|
| Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Charles Marquis Warren |
| Produced by | Charles Marquis Warren |
| Screenplay by | Charles Marquis Warren |
| Story by | Frederick Louis Fox |
| Starring | Elvis PresleyIna BalinVictor French |
| Music by | Hugo Montenegro |
| Cinematography | Ellsworth Fredericks |
| Edited by | Al Clark |
| Production company | National General Pictures |
| Distributed by | National General Pictures |
| Release date | March 12, 1969 (USA) |
| Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.5 million (US/ Canada rentals) |
Charro! is a 1969 American western film starring Elvis Presley shot on location at Apacheland Movie Ranch and Old Tucson Studios in Arizona. Uniquely, Presley did not sing on-screen, and the film featured no songs at all except for the main title theme, which was played over the opening credits. It was also the only movie in which Presley wore a beard. The film was novelized by Harry Whittington.
Ina Balin, Victor French, Barbara Werle, and Solomon Sturges co-starred. It was the final film for director Charles Marquis Warren who also produced and wrote it. It was also the only Presley film distributed by National General Pictures. The film made a profit but was not a runaway success, and remains one of Presley’s least-seen films despite being regarded among his best in terms of a ‘straight’ (non-musical) acting performance.
The role of Jess Wade was originally offered to Clint Eastwood, who turned it down. The budget for the movie was estimated at $1.5 million. Working titles for the film included Jack Valentine, Johnny Hang, and Come Hell or Come Sundown. Presley signed up to the project with high hopes after reading the serious, song-free script, but was left disappointed when he arrived for his first day of shooting on July 22, 1968 to find that the script he had originally signed up for had been changed beyond recognition.
The original opening scene, which was to feature female nudity, was dropped in favor of a more gentle bar scene. The story of Charro, which was written by Frederick Louis Fox, contained many violent scenes that were dropped from the film altogether. Harry Whittington based his novelization Charro on Fox’s story, and included the scenes that Warren deemed too violent for the film. A scene which featured Ina Balin nude climbing from a bath was also removed. Location scenes were shot at Apache Junction and the Apacheland Movie Ranch in Arizona.
The film, although a hit, was not received as well as Presley’s previous films. Fans were put off by the lack of songs, and critics were generally unimpressed with the film as a whole. Despite this, the film made a good profit and Presley received $850,000 for his work.
Watch the movie “Charro”
){kind=link}
Comments