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

[jurasic1968]

One for the Money.

[Greystoke]

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.

Elvis was one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, as we've discussed, and he still was in the late-sixties, although he was also one of the most overpaid by that stage, considering that his films weren't making money at the box office.

This is something Paul Nathan certainly became attentive to by this stage, remarking to Parker that Elvis wasn't the big attraction he once was. Which was true. And in making one final deal with Hal Wallis, the resultant film might have been poor, but it was also indicative of what Parker and Presley were badly lacking in Hollywood. They didn't have a clue when it wasn't being made easy for them. They didn't want to meet producers half way. It was all about what was in it for them. Which was money first and foremost.

Easy Come, Easy Go was as good as Elvis deserved by 1967, and financially, it was more than he was surely worth. And don't be mistaken about what he was paid here. This was a lot of money with a good percentage deal on top of his salary and bonus money. Better actors and more successful actors, starred in much better films, and more ambitious projects, for a lot less.

[jurasic1968]

Agree. But Elvis made another 7 films in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Another 5 millions dollars in his bank account.

[jurasic1968]

A conclusion: Elvis was very lucky with his film career regarding the money. More than 20 million $ he earned from his 33 films. Not only from salaries, but in many films he earned 50% of the profits.

[Greystoke]

A conclusion: Elvis was very lucky with his film career regarding the money. More than 10 million $ he earned from his 33 films.

I wouldn't necessarily say "lucky." Studios will pay big money for stars that have box office appeal, and Elvis undoubtedly had box office appeal from the very start. Love Me Tender was massively successful, due in no small part to a built-in audience Elvis brought from his music career to the box office.

This was built upon with the type of roles Elvis was given, whilst the success of subsequent films gave Elvis and Parker leverage to negotiate for more money. Elvis's success was turned to financial advantage and they both reaped the rewards.

His success was quite unique in some respects, considering there's no guarantee that a popular singer will find success at the box office, just because they have fans of their music. Elvis clearly wanted to be an actor, too. He put in the work to establish himself as a leading man. He persevered and took roles that were offered. He accepted favourable contracts and was undoubtedly reliable, both with regards to his work ethic and at the box office.

There is certainly an element of luck in the film industry, but Elvis wasn't successful by any sort of fluke. And he wasn't paid large sums of money by chance. Whilst I don't think he would ever have imagined the success he found over the years, both at the box office and financially. Appreciating that Elvis surely wanted to be a better actor and find better roles.

[jurasic1968]

Elvis wanted to be a good actor, but maybe he had a price to pay. Less money and better scripts and directors. LIke Frank Sinatra did when he filmed From Here to Eternity.

[jurasic1968]

Frank was a better actor than Elvis.

[billy jack]

Agree. But Elvis made another 7 films in 1967, 1968 and 1969. Another 5 millions dollars in his bank account.

1967:

''Easy Come, Easy Go'' ($500.000 + 20% profits)

''Double Trouble'' ($750.000 + 40% profits)

''Clambake'' ($650.000)

1968:


''Stay Away, Joe'' ($850.000 + 50% profits)

''Speedway'' ($850.000 + 50% profits)

''Live A Little, Love A Little'' ($850.000 + 50% profits)

1969:

''Charro'' ($850.000 + 50% profits)

''The Trouble With Girls'' (850.000 + 50% profits)

''Change Of Habit'' ($850.000 + $25.000 compensation music)


That's nine films during the years 1967, 1968 and 1969. I have my doubts that Elvis was the highest paid actor in the 1960s.

Names like Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Newman, Marlon Brando and John Wayne were not only better actors but were also generally better paid. Also remember that for every, say, $100, $25 went to Parker. So what was contractually agreed between Parker and the film company in question, 25% was deducted from that plus the expenses incurred on Parker's part. Elvis therefore kept less of what was paid out by the film company.

[jurasic1968]

He was paid a lot of money for these low quality films, let's face it.

[billy jack]

He was paid a lot of money for these low quality films, let's face it.

Correct. The measly $500,000 for ECEG was difficult to come by. Over time, Wallis was no longer satisfied with Elvis' acting performance. ECEG was therefore the last under the umbrella of Paramount.

[Greystoke]

Frank was a better actor than Elvis.

Elvis wanted to be a good actor, but maybe he had a price to pay. Less money and better scripts and directors. LIke Frank Sinatra did when he filmed From Here to Eternity.

There certainly came a time when around half of the budgets of the films Elvis starred in was going to him. And this could only create financial challenges when it's clear that there was no interest in meeting anybody halfway. Which might have allowed more money to go towards the rights for source material, more money spent on writers, on the right director, etc.

I think saying Elvis should have worked for less in spite of his own financial interests is something that only he could have truly reckoned with. Sinatra certainly did this, although Frank wasn't just a better actor than Elvis, he was the head of his own production company, he commissioned screenplays and bought the rights to properties. He was deeply involved in every aspect of his films and would work for less money for the sake of the film, or take second billing when he believed this was the right decision.

When Frank won the role of Maggio in From Here to Eternity, however, he was at the lowest point in his career. And whilst this is a role that Sinatra was desperate to have, he didn't have much choice with regards to money. Even though he impressed with his screen test (which was used in the film) and had some luck in Eli Wallach dropping out of contention, this was a role Frank took for only $8000.

[jurasic1968]

Elvis was lucky beginning paid a 100,000 $ salary for his first film, Love Me Tender in 1956 and ending in 1969 with Change of Habit with an 850,000 $ salary. And I don't want to write again about his percent of movie profits, a huge one, with a maximum of 50% for the MGM movies.

[colonel snow]

According to the contract with 20th Century-Fox dated 13 august 1956 Elvis was paid $100.000 and costar billing forthe movie Love Me Tender.
The contract gave 20th Century-Fox an option for two more films at $150.000 and $200.000.
Colonel Parker renegotiated the contract in october 1958 for the two optional films up to $200.000 and $250000. The two option pictures made under this contract were Flaming Star (1960) and Wild in the Country (1961).



colonel snow

[colonel snow]

From these payments for movies (see previous posts) 25% went to Colonel Parker; 10 % went to William Morris Agency.
When payments for costs are mentioned in contracts these amounts are divided in general 50/50 % between Elvis & All Star Productions (= Colonel Parker).

As you can see Colonel Parker didn't forget himself outside extras like free parking - free office etc during shooting of a movie.

colonel snow

[jurasic1968]

Elvis was paid for his 33 films (from 1956 to 1972) around 15 million $ in salary. Not bad. The 50% percent of the movie profits made him richer with other 5 million $.

[jurasic1968]

It's strange, like Jerry Hopkins wrote in his first book, that Elvis was payed more and more from 1965 to 1969 for his films. The box office of them was in decline, the quality of the films also, but still he was one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood.

[jurasic1968]

And the conclusion is that Elvis was paid most by MGM in Hollywood in his 33 films, from Jailhouse Rock (250.000 $ in salary in 1957 to Elvis On Tour in 1972, 1 million $ in salary).

[Greystoke]

It's strange, like Jerry Hopkins wrote in his first book, that Elvis was payed more and more from 1965 to 1969 for his films. The box office of them was in decline, the quality of the films also, but still he was one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood.

It wasn't particularly strange. Elvis's films were still successful through 1965 and 1966, and even into 1967, taking into consideration when Spinout was released. And contracts signed in January of 1966, for example, as per Elvis's agreement with MGM, was made possible due to how successful the likes of Harum Scarum, Girl Happy, and Tickle Me were in 1965. And probably Roustabout, too.

Elvis's recent track record was still good when most of his contracts were signed, whilst the likes of National General Pictures were new to film production in 1967, when they signed Elvis to a one picture deal (for That Jack Valentine, which wasn't made). This was a studio with a lot of money and they were looking to hire or work with star names, including Gregory Peck and Steve McQueen.

Screenshot_20241014-160309~2.png

Similarly, Elvis's deal with NBC-Universal for a television special and one feature film, might have come when a decline was happening more significantly, but there was a lot of potential in a television special, whilst negotiations were undoubtedly made with the knowledge of what Elvis was being paid elsewhere.

And the conclusion is that Elvis was paid most by MGM in Hollywood in his 33 films, from Jailhouse Rock (250.000 $ in salary in 1957 to Elvis On Tour in 1972, 1 million $ in salary).

Elvis wasn't paid a million dollar salary for On Tour, as we've discussed. His salary was $200,000 plus $50,000 for expenses, which was split 50/50 with All-Star Shows. You're right that Elvis was paid more by MGM than any other studio, or in comparison to what Hal Wallis paid him. MGM had deep pockets in the 1960s, although they ended up in financial disarray by the 1970s, and were eventually hemorrhaging money.

In all likelihood, MGM probably couldn't have afforded to pay Elvis much more than they did for On Tour, even if this is something Tom Parker may have expected and may have wanted when negotiating.

[jurasic1968]

But the biggest salaries Elvis had from Hollywood were from MGM.

[jurasic1968]

In 1965, Elvis earned 1 million $ for Harum Scarum (MGM), 650,000 $ for Frankie and Johhny (United Artists) and 350,000 $ for PHS, Paramount.

[jurasic1968]

in 1966 Elvis earned 750,000 $ in salary for Spinout and Double Trouble films (both) for MGM and 400,000 $ for Easy Come, Easy Go for Paramount.

[Greystoke]

in 1966 Elvis earned 750,000 $ in salary for Spinout and Double Trouble films (both) for MGM and 400,000 $ for Easy Come, Easy Go for Paramount.

Every studio and/or producer doesn't have the same means, budget, or strategy for any given film or project. Which means it isn't unusual to find cast and crew being paid different amounts for different projects at different studios.

[colonel snow]

In 1965, Elvis earned 1 million $ for Harum Scarum (MGM), 650,000 $ for Frankie and Johhny (United Artists) and 350,000 $ for PHS, Paramount.

According to the contract dated 6 january 1961 Elvis got for the last movie in this 5 picture deal (PHS)
$200,000.
Later on for PHS a bonus of $90,000, to be split evenly between Elvis and the Colonel.


colonel snow

[jurasic1968]

In 1967 he had a salary for Clambake (United Artists) of 650,000 $ and 850,000 S for Speedway and Stay Away, Joe (MGM). In 1968 he had a salary of 850,00 $ for all his three films (Live A Little, Love A Little, Charro and The Trouble with Girls), like he had for Change of Habit in 1969.

[jurasic1968]

In 1965, Elvis earned 1 million $ for Harum Scarum (MGM), 650,000 $ for Frankie and Johhny (United Artists) and 350,000 $ for PHS, Paramount.

According to the contract dated 6 january 1961 Elvis got for the last movie in this 5 picture deal (PHS)
$200,000.
Later on for PHS a bonus of $90,000, to be split evenly between Elvis and the Colonel.
Not much money.

colonel snow