Did Elvis realize the difference in salaries from the Hollywood studios?

[jurasic1968]

I don't think Elvis realized the big difference from his salaries in Hollywood, especially comparing MGM to Paramount. In 1957 Elvis was paid 90,000 $ for Loving You (his initial salary was only 15,000 $) but for Jailhouse Rock in 1957 for MGM he earned 250,000 $. In 1960, his salary for GI Blues was only 175.000 $. So Paramount payed Elvis for the movies a lot less comparing to MGM, United Artists, Universal and National General. Paramount payed Elvis for Easy Come, Easy Go 400,000 $ in 1967, the greatest fee he earned from them. Not much, in my opinion. MGM payed Elvis a lot more money in the middle and late 60's. What do you think? I know that Hal Wallis was an independent producer but Elvis was underpaid by Paramount, I believe.

[jurasic1968]

For Elvis, regarding the money, it was better to work with MGM.

[Greystoke]

This is the difference between what a studio can afford and what an independent producer, such as Hal Wallis, can afford to pay actors. Elvis wasn't paid by Paramount and the films he starred in for Hal Wallis weren't financed by Paramount. Wallis didn't have the same financial resources as a film studio, therefore, Elvis wasn't paid the same kind of money that he was by MGM, for example.

There were occasions when Wallis was able to pay actors more than he paid Elvis, namely John Wayne ($750,000 for True Grit + points), and whilst, ostensibly, what Elvis was doing from one studio to another in Hollywood was the same. There were and are other factors at play. Bearing in mind also that Wallis signing Elvis was a catalyst for other opportunities in Hollywood.

Wallis also signed Elvis prior to some of his bigger salaries being inked with the likes of MGM, with those larger salaries being made possible through the success Elvis experienced in Hollywood. Which wasn't and isn't unusual. Elvis had a long-term contract with Wallis that was amended on more than one occasion, and certainly when a one picture deal was signed in 1966 between Elvis and Wallis, the producer did increase Elvis's salary.

I think Elvis was well-compensated by Wallis, though. Bearing in mind also that Elvis's success in films Wallis produced allowed negotiations with the likes of MGM to be made on the basis that Elvis was an increasingly viable leading man. Not that Wallis couldn't be tightfisted, but he often had to be. He was a good producer, though. And I think Elvis and Parker realised this, even if their professional relationship didn't end on glowing terms.

[jurasic1968]

Thanks, Greystoke. I understand now how complicated was for Elvis to be in Hollywood for a long time, doing so many pictures in so many years, 31 action films and 2 documentaries from 1956 to 1972.

[colonel snow]

According to (nearly all) movie contracts the salary / costs are weekly paid during shooting of a movie.
Without doubt the differences must be clear.


colonel snow

[Greystoke]

According to (nearly all) movie contracts the salary / costs are weekly paid during shooting of a movie.
Without doubt the differences must be clear.


colonel snow

This is standard practice.

[jurasic1968]

Thanks.

[jurasic1968]

So Elvis was paid more money from MGM. Beginning with Jailhouse Rock and ending with The Trouble with Girls, to make a conclusion.

[brian]

I don't think Elvis realized the big difference from his salaries in Hollywood, especially comparing MGM to Paramount. In 1957 Elvis was paid 90,000 $ for Loving You (his initial salary was only 15,000 $) but for Jailhouse Rock in 1957 for MGM he earned 250,000 $. In 1960, his salary for GI Blues was only 175.000 $. So Paramount payed Elvis for the movies a lot less comparing to MGM, United Artists, Universal and National General. Paramount payed Elvis for Easy Come, Easy Go 400,000 $ in 1967, the greatest fee he earned from them. Not much, in my opinion. MGM payed Elvis a lot more money in the middle and late 60's. What do you think? I know that Hal Wallis was an independent producer but Elvis was underpaid by Paramount, I believe.

He should have he looked at his paychecks didn't he. I'm sure he knew his salaries varied from picture to picture. It was the same with other actors.

[jurasic1968]

He did not care, I think. He had Vernon to do such a thing.

[brian]

Do you think Elvis should've had higher salaries for his films in the 50s and early 60s?

[jurasic1968]

I don't know. The only thing I know was that Elvis had the bigger salary from MGM. In the 50's, 250,000 $ for Jailhouse Rock. In the 60's it was the same. Like I wrote before, the biggest salary in the 60's from the Paramount studios was 400,000 $ for Easy Come, Easy Go plus 20 percent of the profits. But Elvis was payed 1 million $ for Harum Scarum (MGM) and close to a million $ in his last films of the 60's also for MGM.

[colonel snow]

The “problem” was in the beginning Elvis had a contract with Paramount and he was allowed outside this contract to do one movie pro year with another movie company (with higher payment).


colonel snow

[jurasic1968]

Thanks. But Elvis ended the contract with Paramount in late 1966 when he finished the movie Easy Come, Easy Go.

[Greystoke]

Thanks. But Elvis ended the contract with Paramount in late 1966 when he finished the movie Easy Come, Easy Go.

Elvis's original contract with Hal Wallis ended with Paradise, Hawaiian Style. Easy Come, Easy Go was made under a subsequent agreement to make a single picture. Unfortunately, any notions of Elvis doing something different on this occasion didn't materialise after a long period of negotiations. But if we're speaking about money for money's sake, he was well compensated in any regard.

[jurasic1968]

400.000 dollars salary and 20 percent of the profits. But the movie made no profit.

[colonel snow]

Indeed, when the Paramount contract from 6 janaury 1961 ended after 5 movies (Blue Hawaii-Girls girls girls-Fun in Acapulco-Roustabout-Paradise Hawaiian Style) negotiations for a new contract started but it lasts more then 7 months before there was a “result” but Colonel Parker didn’t get what he wanted. Finally the result was a one picture deal (ECEG):

According to the final contract dated 27 september 1966 Elvis was paid $ 400.000 salary + $ 100.000 for expenses.
With this contract the payment was split now into:

Elvis: 75 % = $ 300.000 minus 10 % fee ($ 40.000) for William Morris Agency $ 260.000
Colonel Parker: 25 % = $ 100.000
Expenses to be split into 50/50 = $ 50.000 Elvis / $ 50.000 All Star Shows (= Colonel Parker):

Elvis got $ 310.000 / Colonel Parker got $150,000 / William Morris Agency got $40,000.

For ECEG there was no share in profits mentioned in the contract.

Outside this contract Colonel Parker got $ 25.000 as technical advisor; he also got other facilities like an office on the score / free parking etc.



colonel snow

[jurasic1968]

Thanks, colonel snow. ECEG was the last film made for Paramount by Elvis and the worst one. Ironically, he had the biggest salary for this one.

[colonel snow]

In the beginning of the movie Elvis leaves USS Gallant (MSO-489); this is an ocean-going minesweeper built in 1955 and out of service in 1994.



colonel snow

[colonel snow]

The aircraft carrier has CVA 19 in the naval register. It looks to be USS Hancock on the picture.


colonel snow

[jurasic1968]

Thanks, colonel snow. Great pictures.

[mike edwards66]

I don't think Elvis realized the big difference from his salaries in Hollywood, especially comparing MGM to Paramount. In 1957 Elvis was paid 90,000 $ for Loving You (his initial salary was only 15,000 $) but for Jailhouse Rock in 1957 for MGM he earned 250,000 $. In 1960, his salary for GI Blues was only 175.000 $. So Paramount payed Elvis for the movies a lot less comparing to MGM, United Artists, Universal and National General. Paramount payed Elvis for Easy Come, Easy Go 400,000 $ in 1967, the greatest fee he earned from them. Not much, in my opinion. MGM payed Elvis a lot more money in the middle and late 60's. What do you think? I know that Hal Wallis was an independent producer but Elvis was underpaid by Paramount, I believe.

Very interesting, thanks. Whatever Elvis got paid for ECEG, it was too much. Watching those dire underwater scenes I found myself thinking this can not be an Elvis Presley movie.

[jurasic1968]

Agree.

[jurasic1968]

In his last movies Elvis had a salary of 850,000 $, plus 50% of the profits (which were very low). A lot of money in the late 60's.

[bajo]

Elvis in the hands of Parker, simply didn't know, didn't care, or simply: Went for the money as long they poured in! In the aftermath, he never lived to see all the money that poured in, and still pouring in.....Legdens linger on...