Love Me Tender (film)

Love Me Tender
Theatrical release poster by Tom Chantrell
Directed by	Robert D. Webb
Screenplay by	Robert Buckner
Story by	Maurice Geraghty
Produced by	David Weisbart
Starring	Richard Egan Debra Paget Elvis Presley Robert Middleton William Campbell Neville Brand
Cinematography	Leo Tover
Edited by	Hugh S. Fowler
Music by	Lionel Newman
Distributed by	20th Century Fox
Release date	November 15, 1956 (1956-11-15)
Running time	89 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$1.2 million[1]
Box office	$4.5 million (US rentals)[2]

Love Me Tender is a 1956 American musical Western film directed by Robert D. Webb, and released by 20th Century Fox on November 15, 1956.^[3] The film, named after the song, stars Richard Egan, Debra Paget, and Elvis Presley in his acting debut. As Presley's movie debut, it was the only time in his acting career that he did not receive top billing.^[4]

Love Me Tender was originally to be titled The Reno Brothers, but when advanced sales of Presley's "Love Me Tender" single passed one million—a first for a single—the film's title was changed to match.^[4] Love Me Tender was the first of three films in which he played an historical figure. The others were Frankie & Johnny (which takes place in the 1890s) and The Trouble With Girls (which takes place in 1927).