Roustabout is a 1964 musical romantic drama directed by John Rich, starring Elvis Presley in his 16th feature film.
Charlie Rogers (Presley) is a talented singer who drifts from place to place on his motorcycle carrying nothing but his guitar. After getting into a brawl at a teahouse, which gets him fired, he runs into carnival owner Maggie Morgan (Barbara Stanwyck), her employee Joe Lean (Leif Erickson) and his daughter Cathy (Joan Freeman). Joe doesn't like Charlie hitting on Cathy, so he runs him off the road, damaging his bike and destroying his guitar. Maggie promises reparations and has Charlie stay at the carnival, where he works as a singer and grows closer to Cathy.
Tropes:
- The Alcoholic: Joe has a drinking problem and has caused accidents at the carnival because of it, resulting in the carnival being in debt after a lawsuit.
- Boyfriend-Blocking Dad: Joe is extremely hostile to the idea of Charlie being with his daughter Cathy and the two men frequently come to blows over it.
- Dance Party Ending: The final scene is a big musical number where Charlie sings and walks around the carnival, showing off all the attractions, with the carnies joyfully celebrating after avoiding bankruptcy.
- Everyone Has Standards: All the carnies are clearly disgusted when Charlie leaves Joe to spend a night in jail over a missing wallet.
- Ferris Wheel Date Moment: Charlie rides the ferris wheel with Cathy and serenades her. Then Joe approaches and Cody, who's in charge of the wheel, stops it to keep the couple up high so Joe won't see them, but Charlie gives it away by yelling at Cody to bring them down.
- Forceful Kiss: While Cathy explains carny lingo to Charlie, he suddenly pulls her to him and kisses her. She's offended and ditches him.
- Gilligan Cut: Maggie plans to have Charlie perform on a Monday. Joe says he's fall on his face because nobody comes out on a Monday. Cut to Charlie performing for a full house on Monday night. Maggie gloats to Joe about it.
- Loner-Turned-Friend: Charlie starts as a drifter with no ties to anyone and is determined not to get himself too "involved" with the carnies, only wanting to collect a guitar and repairs for his motorcycle which they owe him. He ends up falling for Cathy and saving the carnival from getting shut down, ultimately accepting the carnies as his family.
- Saving the Orphanage: The carnival is in danger of shutting down due to bankruptcy, but our hero Charlie manages to save it by briefly leaving to sing at a wealthier carnival and coming back with the money he made.
