How a 1960 Elvis Presley Western sparked international bans and multi-million dollar art
In short: Elvis Presley sought dramatic credibility in the 1960 Western Flaming Star, shedding his musical persona to play a man caught between two worlds. While critics praised his performance, the film faced government bans in Africa for its depiction of interracial heritage and later inspired Andy Warhol’s most valuable silkscreens.
Directed by Don Siegel, Flaming Star features Presley as Pacer Burton, a man of mixed Kiowa and white heritage struggling to maintain peace on the Texas frontier. Originally titled Flaming Lance, the film was adapted from Clair Huffaker’s 1958 novel. Studio executives at 20th Century Fox were initially hesitant to produce the project, fearing it would be too expensive for a Western, but they eventually moved forward after casting Presley. The production, which filmed in Utah and California, saw Presley push for fewer songs to focus on his acting, a departure from his previous commercial successes.
The film’s subject matter triggered significant political reactions. In May 1961, South Africa banned the movie due to its portrayal of a mixed-race protagonist, though the ban was later modified to allow screenings in segregated theaters. Meanwhile, British colonial officials in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania permanently prohibited the film, fearing it might exacerbate racial tensions following the Mau Mau uprising. Despite these controversies, the film earned generally positive reviews, with critics noting Presley’s improved dramatic presence and the film's gritty, violent tone, which Quentin Tarantino later described as potentially the most brutal Western of its era.
Beyond its cinematic legacy, the film became a cornerstone of modern art. Andy Warhol utilized a publicity still of Presley from the production to create a series of iconic silkscreens, including works like Double Elvis and the massive Elvis Times Eleven. These pieces have become immensely valuable; as of May 2021, sales of at least 11 of these silkscreens have exceeded $380 million. Additionally, the film’s theme song, originally recorded as Black Star, has been linked by scholars to the title of David Bowie’s final album, cementing the film’s strange, enduring influence on popular culture.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Flaming Star
- Also: Wikidata — Flaming Star · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Elvis by Request: Flaming Star and 3 Other Great Songs · CC0
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