This is Elvis Presley's glorious third movie, after Love Me Tender and Loving You, when the snarl and talent were for once harnessed to a suitable plot under the experienced direction of MGM veteran Richard Thorpe. Presley plays an ex-con whose subsequent Hollywood success goes to his head, causing former cellmate Mickey Shaughnessy to lay him flat with a blow to his money-spinning larynx. Elvis creates a most unlikeable character in Vince Everett, at the same time revealing an acting talent on a par with that of James Dean, only previously hinted at in his first two movies. In addition, Elvis himself choreographed the stunning title number, making excellent use of the CinemaScope format, but it's his open-air delivery of the Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller song Baby, I Don't Care that really stirs the blood. Leading lady Judy Tyler was tragically killed in a car crash soon after shooting was completed (this was only her second movie after starring on Broadway), and Elvis himself couldn't bear to watch this film for that reason.

After serving time for manslaughter, young Vince Everett becomes a teenage rock star.