Sing, Boy, Sing


Sing, Boy, Sing is a 1958 musical-drama film, released by 20th Century Fox. The film starred two newcomers, Tommy Sands and Lili Gentle.
The film was an expansion of the January 1957 Kraft Television Theatre episode "The Singin' Idol", also starring Sands. Sands, billed by the studio as a potential new teen idol, played an Elvis Presley-type singer.
The film was Gentle's only starring role, and her penultimate film appearance. 20th Century Fox had plans to promote Gentle as its new dashing red-head, but the right type of roles to offer her did not materialize.
Sing, Boy, Sing was released in the United States in February 1958, to positive reviews, but did rather poorly at the box-office, despite being somewhat popular with teenage audiences.
Sand's soundtrack of songs from the film was released in 1958 and produced a # 24 hit on the US charts with the title song.

Plot

Virgil Walker is a popular singing star who is managed by Joseph Sharkey. Sharkey is very controlling of Walker's life.

Cast

The movie was based on the TV program "The Singing Idol". This episode in turn drew heavily on The Jazz Singer.

Plot

Elwell Walker is a singing star under the control of his manager. He visits his hometown where his father, a reverend, is ill. His father dies after pleading for Elwell to take up his job of preaching for the Lord. Elwell is tempted to return home and do this, especially after reconnecting with a childhood sweetheart, Leora. His manager talks him out of it.

Cast

The script was an original by Paul Monash but very much based on the Elvis Presley story. Tommy Sands had been discovered by Colonel Tom Parker who also managed Elvis Presley. Sands and Presley had toured together and Sands had sung on Louisiana Hayride on the night Presley was discovered.
Parker got Sands cast in the lead role on the show, which turned him into a star overnight. Sands later said that because of this "Colonel Parker was the best thing that ever happened to me."
"I prefer the school of realism," said Sands. "I'd like to play dramatic teenage parts because I feel I know this kind of boy. Like him, I have many inhibitions and I'm not exactly sure what makes me tick."
Songs on the show included "Teen-Age Crush" and "Hep Dee Hootie" as well as "Rock of Ages".

Reception

The show was well received and turned Sands into a teen idol. He received eight times more fan mail than any other actor who had appeared on a Kraft show.
A song from the episode, "Teen-Age Crush", went to number two on the charts and sold over a million copies.

Production of Film

20th Century Fox had enjoyed success with films starring Elvis Presley and Pat Boone. In February 1957 they bought the film rights to the television play and in July they signed a contract with Sands to appear in the film. Henry Ephron was assigned to produce.
Ephron said Claude Binyon had written "a first rate script" which "could be made at a price". He wanted Orson Welles to play the manager and approached him. Welles was enthusiastic and also wanted to direct the movie. He explained his ideas to Ephron who thought they were "electric" and pitched the idea of Welles directing to the executives at Fox. Spyros Skouras said Ephron could have Welles if he personally guaranteed any cost over-runs incurred by the director. Ephron ended up directing the movie himself
Filming started in September 1957. Sands' co star was Lili Gentle, a Fox contract player who had been in Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?.
Sands co wrote some musical numbers in the film.

Reception

head of Fox was reportedly so excited by a preview of the film he signed a new contract with Sands which tripled his salary.
The Los Angeles Times said the film was "several cuts above average" and said the "real surprise package" was Sands... "he's going to be a very competent actor; he already has verve, presence."