JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Elvis Aaron Presley – The king is Dead, long live the King
Elvis Lives On
Elvis Live in 56
"The image is one thing and the human being is another, it's very hard to live up to an image." – Elvis
August 16th 2007 marks the 30th anniversary of Rock N Roll god Elvis Presley’s death. Yep, 30 years ago today, sergeant pepper mourned as the dead bloated body of “E” was discovered in the bathroom of his Graceland Mansion.
The final years of Elvis’ life were like the Planet of the Apes sequels, progressively getting so bad that you forgot the original was actually a work of genius. Fortunately you don’t have to go to far to bask in the glow of a 21 year old hillbilly cat that shook the world up and shake rattled and rolled like few in history.
"I don't like being called Elvis The Pelvis. That's gotta be one of the most childish expressions I've ever heard coming from an adult." - Elvis
For the doubters just check out this clip of the young and dangerous Elvis as he grinds out an energetic rendition of Hound Dog on National TV
Single-handedly cementing the essence of Rock N Roll into the culture, his life became mythical. A modern day messiah to many, worshipped with all fervour previously reserved for Jesus, seen with all the frequency and absurdity of the Virgin Mary in a bagel.
“I just fell into it really. My daddy and I were laughing about it the other day. He looked at me and said, 'What happened, El? The last thing I remember is I was working in a can factory and you were driving a truck'. We all feel the same way about it. Still it just caught us up." – Elvis
"E
John Doe likes to forget most of the 60’s (Except the 68 comeback) and 70’s when it comes to the King both musically and cinematically. Sure once the colonel insisted he sing for his supper in every outing and essentially play himself, the movies were sadly rendered empty vessels possessing less substance than a chicken and banana toasted bagel.
Appearing in a total of 31 feature films the first 4 contain the hint that if the man was allowed to focus on his thespian skills his screen performances may have rivalled his stage persona. After all this is a man who idolized the holy method trinity of Brando, Dean and Clift, incidentally memorising every line and mannerism of Jimmy Deans role in Rebel Without A Cause with near perfect mimickery.
“I get tired of playing a guy who gets into a fight, then starts singing to the guy he's just beat up." –Elvis
Love Me tender poster
The Kings silver screen debut came with Love Me Tender (1956) opposite Howard Keel and though the film has its faults (eg: misplaced musical numbers and convoluted pacing) the big “E” manages to emote and for a first timer shows potential.
Loving You Poster
Next came Loving You (1957) which contained many elements that would later define his films, save one, Presley’s acting. Managing to find moments of genuine sincerity in the character, this is not Oscar winning stuff but still there is a definite desire to improve.
Jailhouse Rock (1957) which tells the semi autobiographical story of a down on his luck blue collar worker who strikes it big as a singer is the quintessential Elvis. Continuing to evolve as an actor the songs here fit the narrative and the structure works.
Here you can watch the now famous performance of the title song from the film
For John Doe and many other it is King Creole (1958) that marks the high point in the big screen aspirations. Directed by the respected Michael Curtiz (Mildred Pierce, Casablanca, Yankee Doodle Dandy, Robin Hood) the film is moody and atmospheric, the story is engrossing and carries weight. The songs are kept to a minimum and the performance of its star honed enough to not feel out of place beside the quality cast that included Walter Matthau (The Odd Couple), Carolyn Jones Morticia in the Aadams Family), Dean Jagger (Vanishing Point) and Vic Morrow (Dirty Mary Crazy Larry).
See the King Creole trailer
After that things slipped rapidly for the man with the gyrating hips and with only a few exceptions his cinematic aspirations disappeared, replaced with generic stories and empty parts.
So Hail to the King baby, he may have slipped from his crowned throne in the end but in his prime was a gifted entertainer of a calibre we may never see again. Which makes you wonder what would have happened if his identical twin Jesse had survived at birth.
"I am not the King. Jesus Christ is the King. I'm just an entertainer." - Elvis
The King comes back in 68
Horrorphile
I'm sure I saw him loitering around the confectionary section of Woolworths the other day ...
Film & TV on DVD
Great post. I agree with this:
Film & TV on DVD
The Big E's first 4 films show so much potential, King Creole amazes.
Now I know it was directed by the director of Casablanca, I'll make an effort to watch it.
I heard that the Colonel secured such a good deal for Elvis with his first four films ($1M per film and 50% of the takings - unheard of), and then Hollywood just cashed in on his singing persona, and churned out crappy musicals. That makes sense to me. Especially in light of modern-day Hollywood stars. I mean, why take a serious role for $5M when they throw $50M at you for a cameo role in a piece of shit?
David ...
Film & TV on DVD
Horrorphile
Film & TV on DVD
The Florida Keys and Everglades
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What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
I know that because I have an aunt who's always been an Elvis freak..
This piece reminds me of a gig our (rockabilly) band was doing a few years ago..on the break, an enormous black man stepped up to me and said, "Way to hit it, drummer! You and little white Elvis there (our guitar player, John) lay down the real stuff."
I replied, "Thank you! Er--Little white Elvis? I was always under the impression that Elvis himself was white."
--To which the man replied, "Naw, Elvis was too cool to be defined by color. He was just-- Elvis."
Movies and Life
I can't believe it's been 30 years...amazing...
Tracy
68 comeback... ohhh boy, me knees tremble at the memory.
(Also excited that a box set of his early films was just released on DVD...)
never was a big Elvis fan, but I do like some of his older stuff...
My Mother however went into absolute mourning when he died...
LOL
She thought he was pretty hot stuff!
Great post...
Take care,
Nick
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Film & TV on DVD
Silly of me to listen to Bryn really, I knew the spelling but hadn't double checked so assumed I was incorrect..
Love the story, I'm still laughing....
Film & TV on DVD
It is amazing its 30 years, I remember being six years old and my mother being devastated...he is probably more popular now..
Film & TV on DVD
Nice to meet you and your welcome for the 68 comeback injection of "E"....
Film & TV on DVD
I was 6 when the music died so I saw the reruns but my parenst dug the man so I was well versed by the time i hit my teens.
Always knew the 21 year old bad man was the legend and the final years were to be ignored....
Thanks for dropping by, appreciate the comment and come back soon.
Film & TV on DVD
I am selective about the Elvis moments I relish but like Christian Slater in True Romance, I may be a guy but I understand your mums view...
He was one smokin Kat