Vance Reno (Richard Egan) and his two brothers have survived the American Civil War and are eager to return to their Texas home, none moreso than Vance who is looking forward to marrying his sweetheart, Cathy (Debra Paget). The brothers are flush with cash after having knocked off a Union payroll before discovering their side, the Confederates, had surrendered the day prior, making them just thieves instead of lawful combatants. At home, things are much changed. Vance had been mistakenly declared dead and Cathy married his baby brother, Clint (Elvis Presley). Vance tries to bury his feelings and decides to leave the farm but before he can say his goodbyes, a man from the government comes to town to recover the stolen payroll.
This is not a great movie. It is a very middling Western steeped in Confederate apologia. Elvis does okay, swinging between puppy-dog enthusiasm and whiny jealousy with a few musical numbers thrown in. There's no Sullivan-Show-only-film-from-the-waist-up shenanigans here either. His trademark hip gyrations are on full display.
It does have one scene where Clint beats the shit out of Cathy in a fit of jealous rage, so if you've ever wanted to see Elvis slap a woman, there you go. Also, you are a bad person, what is wrong with you?
Love Me Tender is currently streaming on Starz, which I get through Amazon.
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