More than six decades after its release, Follow That Dream is once again gaining attention after Ultimate Classic Rock ranked the movie among the best rock films ever made.
The 1962 musical comedy starred Elvis Presley, widely known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” during a period when rock-themed films were rapidly growing in popularity. In its ranking of the best rock movies from every year between 1955 and 2025, Ultimate Classic Rock selected Follow That Dream as the standout rock film of 1962.
The publication noted that 1962 was “possibly the weakest year for rock films at the time,” pointing to other releases such as Kid Galahad and Girls! Girls! Girls! alongside lesser-known attempts to capitalize on the rock craze. However, the outlet said Follow That Dream earned recognition partly because of its “underrated title song” and its connection to future rock icon Tom Petty.
According to the article, Petty often credited a visit to the movie set as a life-changing moment that inspired him to pursue music. Petty’s uncle worked on the production and brought the future rocker to meet Presley during filming in Florida.
Released in 1962, Follow That Dream was produced by Mirisch Productions and based on Richard P. Powell’s 1959 novel Pioneer, Go Home! The film follows the Kwimper family, a group of drifters who claim land along an unopened Florida highway under homesteading laws.
Presley played Toby Kwimper, the kind-hearted son of family leader Pop Kwimper, portrayed by Arthur O'Connell. The cast also included Anne Helm, Joanna Moore and Jack Kruschen.
The movie was filmed across several Florida locations, including Inverness, Ocala, Inglis and Yankeetown. Scenes were also shot at the historic Citrus County courthouse in Inverness and at a bank building in Ocala.
During production in 1961, a 10-year-old Tom Petty visited the set with his family after his uncle, Earl Jernigan, invited them to watch filming. Petty later described being “dumbstruck” by Presley’s “supernatural presence.”
That encounter became a major part of rock history. Shortly after meeting Presley, Petty traded his slingshot for Elvis records and developed a deep interest in rock ‘n’ roll. He later became one of the world’s best-known musicians, selling millions of records and entering the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Last month, local officials in Ocala approved a historical marker commemorating the meeting between Presley and Petty.
The movie also performed well commercially after its release. It reached No. 5 on the Variety weekly Box Office Survey and later finished as the No. 33 top-grossing movie of 1962.
While many of Presley’s films were lighthearted musicals, Follow That Dream earned praise for his acting performance. Director Gordon Douglas said, “Elvis was a damned good actor and played some damned good scenes. He could do more than sing.”
Even Richard P. Powell, the author of the original novel, reportedly doubted Presley’s casting at first before later admitting the singer performed well in the role.
The film’s title song also became a success. Written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman, “Follow That Dream” reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart in 1962.Presley appeared in 31 films between 1956 and 1969, including classics such as Jailhouse Rock, King Creole, and Viva Las Vegas.
Although many of his movies followed a similar musical-comedy formula, Follow That Dream continues to stand out because of its unusual story, Florida setting and lasting impact on artists who followed Presley’s path in rock music.
Related: 1975 Hit Comedy Film, Famously Ending After Funding Crash, Ranked No. 1 ‘Most Rewatchable Movie of All Time’
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