Wild in the Country is a 1961 American musical–drama film directed by Philip Dunne and starring Elvis Presley, Hope Lange, Tuesday Weld, and Millie Perkins. Based on the 1958 novel The Lost Country by J. R. Salamanca, the screenplay concerns a troubled young man from a dysfunctional family who pursues a literary career. The screenplay was written by playwright Clifford Odets. Plot Glenn Tyler (Elvis Presley), a childish 25-year old, gets into a fight with and badly injures his drunken brother. A court releases him on probation into the care of his uncle in a small town, appointing Irene Sperry (Hope Lange) to give him psychological counselling. Marked as a trouble-maker, he is falsely suspected of various misdemeanors including an affair with Irene. Eventually shown to be innocent, he leaves to go to college and become a writer. Cast Elvis Presley as Glenn Tyler Hope Lange as Irene Sperry Tuesday Weld as Mrs. Noreen Martin Millie Perkins as Betty Lee Parsons Rafer Johnson as Davis John Ireland as Phil Macy Gary Lockwood as Cliff Macy William Mims as Uncle Rolfe Braxton Raymond Greenleaf as Dr. Underwood Christina Crawford as Monica George Jack Orrison as Dr. Creston (uncredited) Pat Buttram as Mr. Longstreet, the Mechanic (uncredited) Jason Robards Sr. as Judge Tom Parker (uncredited) Red West as Glenn's brother (uncredited) Michael Intlekofer as Noreen’s infant son (uncredited) Background Development The film was based on the debut novel by J. R. Salamanca. He wrote it over seven years. Jerry Wald bought the screen rights to the novel in March 1958, before the book had been published. He wanted Bradford Dillman and Margaret Leighton to play the lead. In August 1959, Wald said Joe Stephens was writing the script. Philip Dunne was approached to make the film by producer Jerry Wald when they were shooting In Love and War together. Wald always intended to cast Elvis Presley in the lead and originally wanted Simone Signoret to appear opposite him. In August 1960, Clifford Odets signed to write the screenplay, with Dunne to direct. Filming was to start in November. "It pained me to hear him rationalise writing the screenplay", said Odets' colleague Harold Clurman. Dunne says the studio came under the control of Bob Goldstein, who refused to meet Simone Signoret's salary demands, and insisted Dunne and Wald use someone under contract to the studio. At one stage Barbara Bel Geddes was cast.