American director Norman Taurog was born in 1899, literally during the first gasps of cinema. What an improbable journey. He was born into a world before cinema had even cohered into an artform … and he ended his career helming 9 “Elvis Movies”, all of which were hits. Taurog’s final film was Live a Little, Love a Little, a completely forgotten “Elvis film” and a wonderful film – I keep pounding the drum for its rediscovery. I wrote about Live a Little first for Jeremy Richey’s wonderful blog Moon in the Gutter (which I reprinted here), and then for in my piece for Film Comment about Elvis as an actor. I also discussed it – among other things – during my talk on Elvis’ movie career in Memphis.
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I love Live a Little. Elvis had quite a bit comedic talent. He’s funniest when he’s at his most disgruntled.
I completely agree with Taurog’s observation, both about acting in general and Elvis as an actor in particular. I’ve always thought that Joel McCrea was perhaps the greatest “listener” in movie history, among many others who excelled at this underrated skill. I think it’s an especially appealing ability in leading men because it conveys the sense that they don’t consider themselves on some lofty level above their leading ladies; on the contrary, they believe their partners are truly equals, as expressed by the simple fact that these leading men want to hear what they have to say.
Joel McCrea!! Totally agree! and agree with your assessment on why this is such an appealing quality in leading men.