Today in History – Elvis Presley starts filming first movie

CAIRO – 22 August 2017: On August 22, Elvis Presley debuted as an actor in his first feature film, 'Love Me Tender,’ which he also recorded a soundtrack for. Elvis arrived to Hollywood for filming on August 16, 1956, which began days later on the 22nd and commenced on September 21. The film officially premiered on November 15, 1956.

As a show of just how influential Presley was, the film was changed from its original title of 'The Reno Brothers' to 'Love Me Tender', after one of the songs that Presley performed for the movie. Directed by Robert D. Webb, the plot involves Clint Reno, played by Presley, who is the youngest of the Reno brothers, confederate soldiers who decide to rob a train just as the Civil War ends.

Clint receives news that his eldest brother, Vance, was killed, however he was actually busy performing the robbery, and upon returning to his brothers, Clint goes off and marries Vance's old girlfriend, Cathy. Meanwhile, the FBI are on the lookout for the perpetrators of the train robbery.

Though the film was not exactly a critical success, Elvis's fans adored it, with 1,500 fans lining up to see the film on its premiere. The soundtrack was also a commercial hit, with the single 'Love Me Tender' reaching over $1 million in sales.