Week 1 Video Reviews
Jailhouse Rock
Artist's Name:
Elvis Presley. Elvis was one of the most famous musicians of the late 1950's and early 1960's. He brought rock n roll to a whole new level which earned him the nickname "The King". To this day, his popularity has not diminished. Every year, thousands of people travel to his home, called Graceland, which is located in Memphis Tennessee.
Song Title:
The song is titled "Jailhouse Rock
Year
1957
Narrative of Video:
Filmed in black and white, the scene is set in a mock two-tiered jail. The video begins with the camera at a wide angle so that the audience can see the inmates sneaking out of their cells. The camera quickly changes and moves in closely on Elvis Presley who is wearing a boldly striped shirt depicting a jail uniform. He begins singing “Jailhouse Rock” as he slides down a pole outside of his jail cell. After reaching the floor, he begins doing the moves that made him famous while he continues to sing the song. His fellow "inmates" are around him performing a dance routine that coincides with the lyrics of the song. The camera moves in and out giving both wide angle shots and close ups of Elvis. As the song comes to a close, they all move back up toward their cells. The sound of a machine gun is heard and they close the cell doors which ends both the song and the scene.
How the Music and Video Relate:
The high energy dancing meshes well with the high energy of the song and fits well with the words “everybody in the whole cell block, was dancing to the jailhouse rock.”
Review:
This scene is a classic and is definitely the high point in the film, "Jailhouse Rock". The song still rocks today and the movie scene that showcases it has not lost any of its original power either.