ComedyYear1988Duration1h 37mIMDb5.7

Heartbreak Hotel

ComedyMusicalRomance

A teen tries to set up a band at his school, when his mother, who was a big fan of Elvis Presley, gets in a wreck. He and his band members decide to kidnap Elvis to meet her.

Trailer

Cast

Chris Columbus

Director

David Keith

Elvis Presley

Tuesday Weld

Marie Wolfe

Charlie Schlatter

Johnny Wolfe

Angela Goethals

Pam Wolfe

JL

Jacque Lynn Colton

Rosie Pantangellio

Chris Mulkey

Steve Ayres

Karen Landry

Irene

TS

Tudor Sherrard

Paul Quinine

PJ

Paul J. Harkins

Brian Gasternick

ND

Noel Derecki

Tony Vandelo

Dana Barron

Beth Devereux

T. Graham Brown

Jerry Schilling

Dennis Letts

Alan Fortas

SL

Stephen Lee Davis

George Klein

Blue Deckert

Jones

Michael Stephen Costello

Doctor Charles Devereux

JL

John L. Martin

Sheriff Abrams

John Hawkes

Talent Show M.C.

Chris Columbus

Writer

Comments

10 Comments

@AdjoapapabiMar 19, 2024

A movie that would touch your hard and Elvis fans enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melanie.MMar 19, 2024

I think HEARTBREAK HOTEL was a great movie. Maybe David Keith doesn't look much like the real Elvis Presley but he is a pretty good Elvis imitator. Ronnie McDowell sang most of the Elvis song. Besides a few which Elvis Presley sang. They have a song by Dobie Gray in it too. David Keith, Tuesday Weld, and Charlie Schlatter work great together. Heartbreak Hotel is about a single mother of 2 named Marie who is very depressed (Tuesday Weld). So her 17 year old son Johnny (Charlie Schlatter) kidnaps Elvis Presley for her. By dressing the locale pizza place owner Rosie as Gladys Presley. Elvis (David Keith) and "Johnny" get off to a bad start. You would to with the guy who just kidnapped you. But at the end they're great friends.

#davotsegayeMar 19, 2024

In 1972 Ohio, a teenage boy kidnaps Elvis Presley after a concert in Cleveland and takes him home (in his pink Cadillac!) to cheer up his divorced mom, despondent after a fight with her latest boyfriend. David Keith doesn't look like Elvis--he doesn't even fill out the infamous bejeweled white jumpsuit efficiently--however, he has obviously studied Presley's mannerisms and vocal rhythms, and does well in the part after an unconvincing introduction. It takes a leap of faith to believe in this nostalgic fable, but Keith enthusiastically carries it to its inevitable conclusion, carving out his own impersonation under the black Elvis wig. Also fine is Tuesday Weld (a former Presley co-star) as the long-time Elvis fan amazed to find her idol in her home, a dilapidated hotel called the Flaming Star. Weld isn't well-lit or flatteringly photographed, however her age works in her favor here (she's credible playing the mother of growing kids, not like a 30-something passing herself off as the burnt-out mother of two). Besides the leaden opening and awful kidnapping sequence (which is laboriously contrived by writer-director Chris Columbus), the weakest link in the film are the teenagers. Charlie Schlatter must have studied Elvis, too, but not in a way that was helpful; with his perpetually disgusted expressions (so teenage!) and self-conscious sneer, he's like an anchor on these wafty-fantastic proceedings (I don't think Schlatter is ever in character here, but then he wasn't given much help from Columbus' limited conception of the kid). The other young actors are also tiresome, but when Columbus finally gets down to business and allows the star-smitten mom a few private moments with her very own superstar, he manages to enchant us with a little plastic magic. **1/2 from ****

real Madrid fansMar 19, 2024

I just saw this movie. I was surfing on cable and I came across it. At first I thought it would be rubbish but then it caught me. At the end of the movie I found that I was in a much better mood than when I started. It was not the world's best film but I really enjoyed it. It is excellent light entertainment for Elvis fans. My advice is see it.....dont take it too seriously and dont expect too much and you will thoroughly enjoy it. I guarantee you will be singing along. Now, I'm off to listen to some old Elvis songs!

Kim DomingoMar 19, 2024

If you're an Elvis purist, stay away. This film takes great liberties with the life of the King and David Keith really doesn't look like him, either. Never mind, because Heartbreak Hotel is such a sweet (and manipulative!) picture that you'll be reaching for your hanky by the end. It's the Elvis film that truly raises him to an iconic level, and I can well imagine the Church of Elvis incorporating this into their video Bible a hundred years from now. The films of Elvis himself will be the Old Testament, and Heartbreak Hotel will be one of the Gospels. For now, grab a box of kleenex, settle into your easy chair and enjoy the re-creation of the restaurant scene from Loving You that is one of the highlights of this most enjoyable bit of fluff.

Franja du PlessisMar 19, 2024

This is one of my favorite "sweet" movies of all time. Enough conflict and tension to make you wonder what's going to happen and that fun "what if . . ." factor that ties the whole thing together, especially with Elvis being such an important pop culture icon. Keith has done Elvis before I believe, and turns in a great job again, realistically I think enjoying his respite from the demands of public life, and then heading back. Everyone seems to be having fun in this "fairy tale," and I wonder if Elvis ever really got a chance to kick back like this. I'm a "baby" Elvis fan and especially love the oddball stuff connected with him, and this movie fits the bill perfectly. It's just a nice little flick to cuddle up to, preferably with someone and enjoy.

Wendy RedMar 19, 2024

Don't get me wrong. I do like most of Chris Columbus' other projects. I do like David Keith, but he gives one of the worse portrayals of Elvis I have ever seen. This time flattery is not complimentary. It bothers me to see Elvis portrayed with a chip on his shoulder and with such an angry attitude. This was meant to be a fantasy/comedy, but I feel it sure misses the mark. Outlandish story of a teenage boy gathering a few of his buddies and kidnapping Elvis after a concert in Ohio. The King of Rock 'n' Roll is persuaded to 'hideout' at the home of the boy as a surprise for his depressed mother, an avid Elvis fan. I thought this was a cute movie the first time I saw it. Upon viewing a couple of more times, I find it less attractive. For the pure Presley fans out there, this is like watching an outbreak of the plague. The ending tries to leave you with a peaceful and proud feeling, but the damage had already been done. One time Elvis co-star in WILD IN THE COUNTRY , Tuesday Weld plays the bewildered fanatic. Charlie Schlatter plays the wise ass kidnapper. If you are an Elvis fan and haven't already seen this; don't waste your time.

Ronaldo LimaMar 19, 2024

This movie is cute,funny, has action,musical. David Keith is a gorgeous man and does a great job as Elvis. The ending scene although unrealistic as is the whole movie was really awesome! I loved it. It is a shame this really didn't happen to the king because he could've used some "back to his roots" at the end of his life.

"الخال"Mar 19, 2024

This movie is much better than people seem to think. It's not just fun family entertainment, it really shows Elvis trying to come to terms with what went right and wrong with his life. It goes from a spooky, spiritual opening, where Elvis acknowledges his own mortality in song ("So hush little baby, don't you cry/You know your daddy's bound to die")to a rousing "If I Can Dream" finale. The idea is that Elvis gets everything right here that he got so tragically wrong in real time. He is the perfect father, husband, and artist, and he stands up for what we believe in, instead of just wasting himself. Touching and inspiring film. What keeps the movie from going soft is the fact that the young rock and roller played by Charlie Schlatter (whatever happened to him?) is initially quite contemptuous of Elvis and his Las Vegas style lounge act. The kid chews Elvis out in a very memorable scene that really represents the feelings of millions of young 70's teens about the way Elvis went soft. The fact that Elvis listens and learns is extremely inspiring, but again, the film stays honest. At the end he tells the family, "I've found something here, and I'm afraid if I leave it will slip away again." Sadly, it did.

Asif PatelMar 19, 2024

'Heartbreak Hotel' is one one the all-time greatest entertainment treasures. With a solid, brilliant cast led by the incredibly talented Mr. David Keith as Elvis Presley, this movie could brighten even the dullest mood with its simple charm, humour and wonderful music. Some of the more short-sighted have complained about, among other irrelevancies, the lack of facial likeness between Mr. Keith and 'The King' as if that was an error of some kind rather than recognizing the fact that Mr. Keith was obviously chosen for the role because he is an amazing 'Elvis' vocal and visual impersonator with the necessary talent in order to capture the essence of Elvis without having to rely on physical likeness which can only testify to the limitless capabilities of this great actor, so much so that there are moments when Elvis almost appears transfigure through David Keith, who incidently is also a native of the State of Tennessee. No-one ever intended this movie to be taken seriously, but only enjoyed for its sheer entertainment value. The majority of the singing is actually performed by David Keith himself, which no Elvis impersonator could top !! I have read reviews of this movie which cast doubt on this fact, but if you watch the end titles you will see his vocal performing credits. I also know that he used his own voice because HE told me in person during several chats I had with him whilst he was here in Hope, BC with James Spader filming the upcoming movie 'The Stick-Up'. Charlie Schlater is also an immensely talented actor with the same kind of natural charisma and talent of Michael J. Fox. As I said previously, all the cast are magnificent and obviously adored making this movie as their pleasure and happiness shines through. Remember, this is not an Elvis biography, but merely a fantasy tale which in its own way honours the memory of the real Elvis. A heartfelt tribute to 'The King'. David Keith can also be seen in 'An Officer and a Gentleman'; 'U-571'; 'Men of Honor'; 'Brubaker'; 'The Rose'; 'The Lords of Discipline'; 'Major League 2'; and 'Texas' among many others.

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