Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/957795
DGA QUARTERLY 65 (TOP) KOBAL COLLECTION; (BOTTOM LEFT) PHOTOFEST; (BOTTOM RIGHT & OPPOSITE) EVERETT KING CREOLE (1958) > After a trio of pictures that capitalized on his gyrating pop persona, Elvis Presley was given the chance to stretch his dramatic wings on King Creole. And pro- ducer Hal Wallis, who signed Elvis to a film contract, advised Curtiz to treat the star with kid gloves. "He provided the 21 year old with a minimum amount of direction and allowed him to exercise his own initiative," writes Rode. "Elvis responded enthusiastically to Cur- tiz: 'For the first time, I know what a director is,'" said the young man who would be King. "(Curtiz) provided (Elvis Presley) with a minimum amount of direction and allowed him to exercise his own initiative." — A L A N R O D E MILDRED PIERCE (1945) > Starring Joan Crawford—cast off by MGM in 1944 as a has- been and regarded as little more than such by Jack Warner, who signed her on the cheap—Mildred Pierce would end up a triumph for the actress and the studio. And although the first week of production was characterized by more than the usual sparring between leading lady and director, "after the smoke cleared, Curtiz respected Crawford for doing what was best for the film," writes Rode.