| Sing, Boy, Sing | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Henry Ephron |
| Written by | Claude Binyon |
| Based on | The Singin' Idol 1957 teleplay byPaul Monash |
| Produced by | Henry Ephron |
| Starring | Tommy Sands Lili Gentle Edmond O'Brien |
| Cinematography | William C. Mellor |
| Edited by | William Mace |
| Music by | Lionel Newman |
Production company | 20th Century Fox |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $860,000[2] |
Sing Boy Sing is a 1958 Americanmusicaldrama film released by20th Century-Fox and starring newcomersTommy Sands andLili Gentle.
The film was an expansion of the January 1957Kraft Television Theatre episode "The Singin' Idol," also starring Sands, who was billed by the studio as a newteen idol and plays anElvis Presley-type singer.
The film was Gentle's only starring role, and her penultimate film appearance. 20th Century-Fox had plans to promote her as its new dashingredhead, but suitable roles for her did not materialize.[citation needed]
Sing, Boy, Sing was released in the United States in February 1958 to positive reviews, but performed poorly at thebox office, though it did find some popularity with teenage audiences.[citation needed]
Sands'soundtrack of songs from the film was released in 1958[3] and produced a #24 hit on theBillboard singles chart with the title song.[4]
Virgil Walker is a popular singing star. His manager Joseph Sharkey keeps tight control over Walker's life.
The film was based on the January 1957Kraft Television Theatre episode "The Singin' Idol," which drew heavily onThe Jazz Singer.[5]
In the television program, which also stars Tommy Sands, but with the lead character's first name as Elwell rather than Virgil (as in the film), Walker is a singing star under the control of his manager. He visits his hometown where he reconnects with a childhood sweetheart. His ill father, a reverend, dies after pleading for Elwell to become a preacher, and Elwell is tempted to return home and follow in his father's footsteps, but his manager dissuades him.
The television program's script was written byPaul Monash and was based on the life ofElvis Presley. Sands had been discovered by Presley's managerColonel Tom Parker, and Sands had toured with Presley.[6] Parker helped Sands land lead role, which turned Sands into a star overnight.[7] He received eight times more fan mail than any had other actor who had appeared on aKraft Television Theatre episode.[8] Sands later said: "Colonel Parker was the best thing that ever happened to me."[9]
Songs performed on the show included "Hep Dee Hootie", "Rock of Ages" and "Teen-Age Crush," which reached #2 on theBillboard singles chart and sold over a million copies.[10]
20th Century-Fox had enjoyed success with films starring Elvis Presley andPat Boone. In February 1957, the studio bought the film rights,[11] and in July Sands signed on to appear in the film.Henry Ephron was assigned to produce.[12]
Ephron said thatClaude Binyon had written "a first-rate script" that "could be made at a price." He approachedOrson Welles about the part of the manager. Welles was enthusiastic and also wanted to direct the film. He explained his ideas to Ephron, who thought that they were "electric," and pitched the idea of Welles directing to the executives at Fox.Spyros Skouras said that Ephron could have Welles if he personally guaranteed any cost overruns that Welles might incur.[13] However, Ephron directed the film himself.
Filming began in September 1957.[14] Sands' costar wasLili Gentle, a Fox contract player who had appeared inWill Success Spoil Rock Hunter?.[15]
Sands cowrote some of the film's musical numbers.[16]
20th Century-Fox headBuddy Adler was reportedly so excited by a preview of the film that he signed a new contract with Sands, tripling his salary.[17]
The film opened at the Metropolitan Theatre inHouston, Texas on February 5, 1958 but was pulled two days later because of poor attendance.[1]
TheLos Angeles Times wrote that the film was "several cuts above average" and that the "real surprise package" was Sands: "[H]e's going to be a very competent actor; he already has verve, presence."[18]