23 quotes
Reflection on Past Experiences and Music
Vince Everett
Ladies and gentlemen, a little while back, I had a kind of a vacation with a bunch of men in a big place way out yonder. And while I was there, well, these uh, these men, kind of guests, you might say, uh, we'd get together and horse around a little bit and sing and - cause we were havin such a good time. And uh, we always had a lot of fun with this one: The Jailhouse Rock'.
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Elvis Rocks the Screen in Jailhouse Rock
Taglines
Elvis in Action as Never Before!
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Facing Challenges and Recognizing Limits
Hunk
Don't worry about me, sonny. I'll get along...One flop ain't a man's whole life. How'd you expect me to follow that three ring circus you put on?
Vince
Ah, you couldn't have followed a juggler.
Hunk
Naturally, I haven't got your talent.
Vince
That's right. You haven't. So what are you gonna do?
Hunk
I don't see where that's any of your business.
Vince
Now look, Hunk. I'm gonna be honest with ya. I'm not gonna put the breaks on my career now. I don't want you as part of my troupe. You're not good enough. It's been a long time, Hunk. Music changes every six months. You gotta change with it.
Hunk
I was in show business when you were runnin around in wet pants and I'll be in it when they can't even remember your name.
Vince
Fine, but not with me.
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Talent Perception in Performance Evaluation
Peggy
I didn't think you were very good, Vince.
[about his singing]
Vince
I'm no worse than a lot of em.
Peggy
And no better.
Vince
OK, you're used to the top talent. What are you wasting your time working me over for?
Peggy
I like the way you swing a guitar.
Vince
Well, I guess I did get a lot of wrist action into it, didn't I? Well, that's all she wrote. My musical career started and ended with one song.
Peggy
I don't know why. Not until you've given yourself every chance.
Vince
But if they won't listen to me, I can't hold a gun on em.
Peggy
Did you ever listen to yourself?
Vince
How can I listen to myself when I'm singing?
Peggy
Make a tape recording. Maybe when you hear yourself, you can discover what's wrong.
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A Request for Directions and a Dream
Vince
Where's the nearest pawnshop?
Cleaning Woman
Oh, down the street to the right, a couple of blocks. What you gonna do? Buy yourself a diamond ring?
Vince
No. I'm gonna buy a guitar and sing love songs to you.
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Keeping Up with Partnerships
Vince
Hey, how'd you know about the record company?
Hunk
Oh, I got to keep up with the activities of a partner.
Peggy
You've got more partners than a square dance.
Hunk
Yeah, I taught the boy plenty.
Peggy
You'll find out just how well you taught him. Good night.
Hunk
That's a pretty little thing.
[as Peggy left]
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Dispute Over Song Ownership and Recording Rights
Jack Lease
Listen, Sonny. You don't own that song. It's a published tune. Anyone can record it.
Vince
You turned it down. You said you didn't like it.
Jack Lease
We simply didn't want to record it with an unknown.
Vince
What about my arrangement?
Jack Lease
So see your lawyer. You can't copyright an arrangement.
Vince
You're a thievin rat!
[goes after him]
Jack Lease
Now you listen to me, sonny.
Vince
Don't "sonny" me, you louse! Crawl back under your rock, you snake!
[grabs him; slaps him a couple times and throws him back in his chair]
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First Dramatic Singing Role in Jailhouse Rock
Taglines
His first big dramatic singing role!
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Ex-Cons Planning a Music Career Together
Hunk
We'd be a natural together, both ex-cons. The publicity would be sensational. Look, you get out in six months. I follow you 12 months later. Whaddya say, boy?
Vince
You mean we sing together?
Hunk
Together or alone, it makes no difference. We hire a couple of other acts - we got our own show. We play the circuit and we roll.
Vince
I don't know anything about how to get any bookings.
Hunk
Let me worry about the business end. Here - I made a contract for us. We split everything right down the middle.
Vince
Hey. How come you're willin to give me 50% of your earnings? I mean, uh, like you said, you're the one who's got the experience and the name.
Hunk
One simple reason: I got faith in your possibilities. Sure, you're never gonna command the dough I can. But, with training, you'll do all right. Besides, I need a young man to appeal to the kids. I'm levelin with ya, boy. Alone, son, you'd be like a lamb in a pack of wolves. Go ahead.
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The Value of Experience in Unlikely Places
Hunk
You know, I got a spot for you in the show. I'll teach you a new tune.
Vince
I don't know. What's the percentage in singin for a bunch of cons?
Hunk
Experience, you lunkhead! That's the percentage.
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Debating Musical Talent and Experience
Hunk
You will never make a guitar player. You got no rhythm in your bones!
Vince
Well, I never heard of anybody payin money to hear a guitar player.
Hunk
Well, don't pay any attention to me. I was only in the business for 10 years. That's all.
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Recognition and Talent in Success
Hunk
Well, you made it, huh boy? I've been readin about it and I feel proud of ya.
Vince
Yeah, I've been lucky so far.
Hunk
Lucky? Talent. I knowed you had it the minute you opened up your mouth. Now you're goin on the TV.
Vince
You know everythng, don't ya?
Hunk
I feel good. What's your plans for me, boy?
Vince
Well, I ain't exactly got any, Hunk.
Hunk
You got no plans for Hunk, your old partner?
Vince
Well, what do ya want to do?
Hunk
I want a spot on that TV show.
Vince
Times have changed. Styles have changed. You might fall flat on your face, boy.
Hunk
I might get lucky like you, too.
Vince
I tried your style, just like you taught me. Boy, I laid a bomb.
Hunk
But you ain't me.
Vince
Well, I guess I owe you that much, but I don't know how it's gonna work out, Hunk.
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Elvis Presley: The Rebel of Song
Taglines
M-G-M Presents Elvis Presley - Rebel of Song
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Struggling with Headaches and Stress
Vince
How's your headache?
[long kiss]
Sherry
I'm coming all unglued.
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Starting a Record Company: A Bold Idea
Vince
On the inside, they're Cub Scouts compared to Jack Lease. If you make something, they might steal it from ya. But they'd be too honorable to go around sayin they made it themselves. So, if they steal from ya, there's only one thing to do. Start your own record company...Certainly, what's the mystery? We can find out the details from a lawyer, or something, and, well, you don't have to own a factory. I found that out. You contract for the pressings.
Peggy
But, you just don't go out and start your own record company just like that!
Vince
Well, why not? It's done every day. We're just as smart as those other birds. Look, I make the decisions now. I can't louse things up any worse than you did!
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Unexpected Changes in Plans
Vince
I want to introduce you to a new member of the troupe....Laury's a real cool little singer. I'm takin her to New York with me.
Peggy
Oh! In that case, I don't think I'll go.
Vince
Oh! Were you planning to go? What for?
Peggy
No reason I can think of now.
Vince
Got nothin to do with the record business.
Peggy
Of course not.
Vince
It's just like you said that night in Joplin - You and me, it's strictly business.
Peggy
Let's keep it that way. Let me know when you want to cut another record, Pard.
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Conflict Over Selling Out in Music Deal
Vince
We got an offer for the label, Peg. It's just too good to turn down.
Peggy
An offer? What kind of an offer?
Vince
To sell out to Geneva Records. Wait a minute. Wait'll you hear the deal. Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars, a capital gain. That's 225,000 in cold cash for you, after taxes.
[raises his hand]
Peggy
But, Vince, I don't wanna sell out.
Vince
I'm afraid you got not choice, kid. I own...
Peggy
I know. Sixty percent.
Vince
That's the way the mop flops. You'd think I was tryin to rob you. After all, you're getting practically a quarter of a million dollars.
Peggy
Dollars? Dollars? Is that the beginning and the end of the world for you? Is there no emotion left in you but the lust for money?
Vince
Emotion? What emotion? It's strictly business between you and me. You said that.
Peggy
I don't care what I said. We started this thing together. We nursed it and brought it up, you and I. It may just be a ledger page to you and Mr. Shores... but to me it's part of my life! Oh, go ahead and sell it! I don't care what you do!
[goes away crying]
Vince
Nothin but a record company.
[shrugging]
Hunk
It's not just the record company that's botherin her.
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The Value of Sympathy in Prison Life
Hunk
It's a lesson to remember. Without money, you might as well be dead.
Vince
Yeah.
Hunk
That's all the sympathy you'll get from me. Pity's a commodity. In here, you buy it and sell it just like anything else.
Vince
Hey, what are you, man? Some kind of an animal?
Hunk
That's right, buddy. I'm an animal in a jungle, and I got a motto: Do unto others as they would do unto you, only do it first'.
Vince
Yeah. That's right. Do it first.
Hunk
And it's just as bad on the outside. Worse. Remember that.
Vince
I don't aim to forget it.
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Confrontation Over Insults and Expectations
Peggy
Well, you finally got your sensation. I hope you're satisfied.
Vince
Get off my back, kid. I ain't in the mood.
Peggy
You insulted my father, my mother and me and that's just unforgivable!
Vince
Well, what do you expect? I come out, have a little beer, the first thing you know some old broad's pushin me in the corner with some stupid question.
Peggy
They were just trying to bring you into the conversation.
Vince
They can shelve their conversation. I'm not even sure they were talkin English.
Peggy
I think I'm gonna just hate you.
Vince
Uh-uh, You ain't gonna hate me. I ain't gonna let you hate me.
Peggy
How dare you think such cheap tactics would work with me!
Vince
That ain't tactics, honey. It's just the beast in me.
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Elvis Presley Shines in Jailhouse Rock
Taglines
MGM Presents ELVIS PRESLEY at his greatest
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Perceptions of Beauty and Professionalism
Peggy
Tell me what you see?
Vince
About five-four, weigh 115, pretty well stacked.
Peggy
Well, I'm glad you find me pleasing.
Vince
I don't find you nothin'. I'm a singer.
Peggy
Well, I'm afraid I misunderstood. If you buy me a fresh drink, I'll tell you about the figures.
Vince
Buy your own drink.
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Taking a Stand Against Injustice
Hunk
Trampin on me is one thing, sonny. Hurtin a little girl like Peggy is another.
[takes off his jacket]
Vince
Now just don't you get no ideas, Hunk.
Hunk
There comes a time when you gotta take a hand in things, and that time is now.
Vince
Don't push me, Hunk.
Hunk
I'm gonna beat the hell outta you.
[rolls up his sleeves]
Vince
Don't try it. You're talkin crazy, man.
Hunk
You know you got it comin', son.
Vince
I said don't try...
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Celebrity Modesty and Quick Adaptation
Peggy
He has adapted very quickly.
Hunk
Well, there's not much oxygen up there where he is, and a man gets light-headed.
Peggy
Most actors when they become stars go through a brief period of being modest.
Hunk
Not our boy. He became a heel overnight. What are you doing here today, Peg?
Peggy
I guess I like punishment.
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