ROUSTABOUT

 

" ROUSTABOUT "

Roustabout reached #8 nationally at the box office in 1964 based on the Variety survey. The film finished as #28 on the year-end list of the top-grossing movies of 1964 and earned $3 million at the box office.

While the New York Times declined to review the film, Variety was lukewarm, faulting mainly the script, but noted the film would likely be a box-office hit based upon its star names, songs, and Technicolor, Techniscope qualities. The performances of the cast and the selection of music in the movie were praised. Presley insisted on doing his own stunt work, including a fight scene in which he incurred a head wound. Since a motorcycle accident had been filmed, it was decided to write the head wound into the script. The film and soundtrack would be Presley's first work following the arrival of The Beatles.

The film generated a best-selling soundtrack album that went #1 on the Billboard charts.