Elvis Presley Book News
Read all the latest Elvis Book news -- The very latest news of Elvis Presley Book releases.
Interview with Hal Kanter Director of Loving You
Interview with Hal Kanter, screenwriter and director for the Elvis Presley movie Loving You. Previously Hal had written for variety shows, graduating to screenplays and specializing in comedies. He wrote for Bob Hope as well as the comedy team of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Over the years, Hal Kanter received six Emmy Award nominations, winning the last two for his writing on the annual Academy Awards telecast. He also wrote the script for Elvis Presley's 1961 hit film Blue Hawaii, which garnered him a 'Best Written American Musical' nomination from the Writers Guild of America.
Interview With Jan Shepard (Elvis' co-star in King Creole)
Can you tell me how you met Elvis? When you're assigned a film role, you have to go to the doctor, because of the insurance company. They have to make sure you don't have a bad heart, any of that nonsense. They made my appointment for me at the studio, so I was there and I had on a white shirt and these slacks my mother had made for me that were like wine coloured. I went in the office and I was waiting to be called in. In walks Elvis with two of his buddies. I looked at him and he looked at me and we started to laugh. His jacket was the identical material and colour of my slacks. He looked at me and he said, 'Honey, I'm either going to have to give you my jacket or you're going to have to give me your pants' ...
Best Elvis Movies: 12 of His Most Rockin 'n' Rollin' Roles
Elvis Presley knew how to entertain and he certainly applied that in the best Elvis movies. 'You have to put on a show for people in order to draw a crowd', he once shared. 'If I just stood out there and sang and didn't move a muscle, then people would say, ‘My goodness, I can stay home and listen to his records'. You have to give them a show'. And that he did, which is why the King was - and still is - a legendary musical icon who's recognized as the greatest-selling solo artist of all time, having sold over an estimated billion records worldwide.
The secret history of King Creole by Paul Simpson
In the first of two articles, Paul Simpson explores how Hal Wallis broke his own rules when he made King Creole - and how that transformed Elvis' movie career. 'There was absolutely no point in pushing him', producer Hal Wallis said once, reflecting on Elvis Presley's movie career.
Interview with Actress Marianna Hill
After accepting the Paramount contract, actress Marianna Hill found herself cast as the second female lead in the Elvis Presley vehicle, 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style' (1966). Often cast as ethnic types, Hill now found herself playing Hawaiian nightclub singer Lani Kaimana, one of several women who Presley's character romances while manipulating them to help his helicopter charter business. Hill relished the opportunity to work more closely with Presley. After briefly working with him on 'Roustabout', it was not until she did 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style' that she really had an opportunity to get to know him.
Elvis Presley Was No James Dean But 'King Creole' Proves That He Could Have Been
It isn't easy to talk about Elvis Presley the movie star without dealing with counterfactuals. As the story goes, Elvis' greatest ambition was to one day win an Academy Award for acting. He idolized James Dean, Marlon Brando, and Tony Curtis, prodigious performers who successfully mounted challenging material. Was ever there a version of events where Elvis could have joined the ranks of explosive young actors defining the struggles of class and masculinity for their generation?
I Am Tuesday Weld | Elvis Presley's co-star in 'Wild In The Country'
Susan Ker Weld was born on Friday, August 27th 1943 in New York City. When her father, Lathrop Motley Weld, died three years later at the age of 49, the cute little girl, whose name by then had somehow been transmogrified into 'Tuesday', took over the role of the family breadwinner: Tuesday became a successful child model, posing for advertisements and mail order catalogs. Her work and the burden of responsibility estranged her from her mother Aileen and her two elder siblings and catapulted the preteen girl into adulthood.
Will Hutchins remembers Elvis Presley and Clambake
One day Elvis invited me into his trailer. He put an LP on the turntable. I reckoned I was about to be the first kid on my block to hear his latest album. Instead, what issued forth was the mellow voice of the great French actor Charles Boyer reciting love poems.
Interview with Julie Parrish | Elvis' Co-Star in Paradise Hawaiian Style
Julie Parrish starred in several films, including 'Paradise Hawaiian Style', with Elvis Presley. In one of the most delightful moments of the film, Elvis sings to her in a helicopter, while she holds a group of dogs at bay. Julie was born, October 21, 1940, and passed away on October 1st, 2003.
Interview with Celeste Yarnall | Live a Little, Love a Little
Interview with Celeste Yarnall who appeared briefly in Live A Little, Love a Little. Celeste plays Ellen, the girl at the party, with all the astrological reasons why she and Elvis just can't possibly be matched up.
Elvis Presley and Elsa Cárdenas
Elsa Cárdenas (born 3 August 1935) is a Mexican actress. Since 1954 she has appeared in more than 100 films and television shows. She starred in the film Happiness, which was entered into the 7th Berlin International Film Festival. She acted alongside many stars, including Elvis Presley and James Dean.Interview Elvis' Kissin' Cousins co-star Cynthia Pepper
Interview with Cynthia Pepper, PFC Midge Riley in Kissin' Cousins, an Army stenographer assigned to accompany a lieutenant (Elvis) to the hills of East Tennessee to negotiate the sale of land to build a missile base. There, they encountered angry property owners, including the lieutenant's cousin, (Elvis)!
Elvis Presley in Every Language
Music – especially the music of Elvis Presley – is the universal language. No matter where you go in the world, everyone knows the word 'Elvis'. They also know his movies and music, even if English isn't their first language. And as Elvis fans, we all know the iconic images of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, including the posters for his movies like 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Blue Hawaii'. Those movies had to be marketed to international fans, too – and that's where we get these amazing international movie posters. These colorful collectors items offer a different look at Elvis movies. Take a look at a few of these cool international movie posters below.
Elvis' youngest co-star shares some of her memories of working with the king
Here is a special article by Elvis' youngest co-star, Victoria Paige Meyerink, from 'Speedway' as she shares some of her memories of working with the king. Being in the film business is unlike any other. The bonds formed during production last a lifetime and, in Elvis' case, beyond. When I was cast as Ellie Easterlake in 'Speedway' I knew the project was special and that it would be a great experience… I had no idea that from that moment on, Elvis Presley would become a huge part of my life and career forever.
Elvis In Concert | The 1977 CBS TV Special
Elvis In Concert is a posthumous 1977 TV special starring Elvis Presley. It was Elvis' third and final TV special, following Elvis (aka The '68 Comeback Special) and Aloha From Hawaii. It was filmed during Elvis' final tour in the cities of Omaha, Nebraska, on June 19, 1977, and Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 21, 1977. It was shown on CBS on October 3, 1977, two months after Elvis' death. It is one of only few of Elvis' programs which remains unlikely to ever be commercially released on home video and is only available in bootleg form. However, parts of the special were used in the video documentary Elvis: The Great Performances and the theatrical documentary This is Elvis, both of which were released on home video.
Interview Jocelyn Lane about Elvis Presley (American Bandstand 1965)
Jocelyn 'Jackie' Lane was born Jocelyn Olga Bolton in Vienna, Austria in 1937. Today she was married to Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg. In 1965, she co-starred with Elvis Presley in Tickle Me and later appeared in several roles in Hollywood films, including as 'biker chick' Cathy in Hell's Belles in 1969. She also made guest appearances on American television series. She retired in 1971 after marrying Prince Alfonso of Hohenlohe-Langenburg in Marbella, Spain on 3 May 1973
Suzanna Leigh, Elvis Presley's Co-Star in 'Paradise, Hawaiian Style', Dies at 72
Suzanna Leigh, who co-starred with Elvis Presley in the 1966 musical comedy Paradise, Hawaiian Style, has died. She was 72. 'Elvis and I were both under contract to Hal Wallis, who was known as the star maker', Leigh once recalled. 'I remember the day that Hal said that I would be making my next movie with Elvis. I was an incredible fan of his, and then he said you'll be filming it in Hawaii. Wow. Elvis was a fabulous actor, very underrated by a lot of the conventional theater people'.
Interview Shelley Fabares about Elvis Presley (American Bandstand 1965)
This is a video interview with Shelley Fabares on American Bandstand in 1965. Shelley starred with Elvis Presley in the 1965 movie Girl Happy, was one of three leading ladies in 'Spinout'. Adding to her lineup of movies with Elvis, the following year she starred in 'Clambake', her third starring role alongside the King. 'I loved doing those pictures', said Fabares. 'It's a happy memory for me, they were great fun'.
Harry Morgan: working with Elvis Presley
Harry Morgan is probably best known to Elvis fans as Elvis Presley's co-star in the 1966 riverboat film, Frankie and Johnny. He played 'Cully', Elvis' piano player, as seen in the clip above. The next clip includes a short interview with Harry talking about filming with Elvis and how pleasant he was to work with. In fact, he says, Elvis couldn't have been nicer.
Jenny Maxwell and Elvis : The Seat Of The Trouble
Let's just say it wasn't Jenny Maxwell's day. It all started early, when scenes for 'Blue Hawaii', Hal Wallis production, called for Jenny to try to drown herself, be rescued by Elvis Presley, who then turns the tiny 19-year-old blonde over his knee and gives her a sound spanking. For the long shots and close-ups, Jenny dunked herself thoroughly three times, was hauled out and spanked by Elvis, a total of four times.
Celeste Yarnell (sic) Tells All... About Her Life With Elvis
Celeste Yarnell (sic) Tells All... About Her Life With Elvis by Allison Hayes, Screen Stars, December 1968.
Live A Little Love A Little : MGM 1968
Elvis Presley's twenty-eighth movie was the 1968 MGM film 'Live A Little, Love A Little' directed by Norman Taurog, who had directed several previous Presley films. This was to be Taurog's final film. Principal photography began on 3/13/68. Locations included the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu, Marineland, the Hollywood Citizen News building, the Los Angeles Music Center and the streets of the Hollywood Hills. The film introduced the song 'A Little Less Conversation' an alternative take of which would form the basis of a remix that returned Presley to international music sales charts in 2002.
Annette Day : Elvis Presleys Co-Star in Double Trouble
One of the youngest actresses to ever costar with Elvis, English ingenue Annette Day was just 18 years old when she acted in Double Trouble. Day was discovered in typical Hollywood fashion. Producer Judd Bernard was shopping in an antique store on London's famed Portobello Road when he caught a glimpse of the red-haired teenager. The shop belonged to Day's mother, and Day was working behind the counter that day. Months later, when Bernard was casting for the film, he remembered the perky girl and called on her to ask the fateful question, 'Do you want to be an actress?'.
The aftershocks of King Creole by Paul Simpson
In the second of two articles, Paul Simpson traces the impact of 'King Creole's comparative commercial failure on Hal Wallis, Elvis Presley and the King's movies.
Elvis Sings In The Movies: His 25 Best Movie Songs
What if Elvis had been able to follow his heart and not sing in the movies? What we do know, however, is that 241 of Elvis' recordings were made specifically for movie projects. While losing songs like 'Queenie Wahine's Papaya' from his career catalog would surely not have been detrimental, a fair number of more impressive songs would also be gone. With that in mind, here is my top 25 list of Elvis' greatest movie songs.
Lizabeth Scott in Loving You : Elvis' Second Leading Lady
When Lizabeth Scott went to Los Angeles in 1944, she dropped the 'E' from her first name. There were lots of Elizabeths in Hollywood, but no Lizabeth. Changing her name to something unique fit right in with the film industry's appetite for new and unique talent. (She legally changed her name to Lizabeth Scott in 1949.)
Elvis Aloha From Hawaii 1973
Elvis made television and entertainment history with his 'Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii - Via Satellite' concert.
Elvis On Tour : MGM 1972
Elvis On Tour - MGM 1972 combines performance footage with tapes of television shows, clips from early Presley films, other memorabilia of the great Elvis, and finally, a clear glimpse of the superstar at work.
Follow That Dream, Co star Anne Helm recalls her time with Elvis
I really fell for Elvis -- I mean, who wouldn't? We did have a romance, it was quite wonderful, we were on location in Crystal River (Florida), Elvis was away from the madding crowd, it was like a shipboard romance with Elvis.
Hal Wallis and Elvis Presley
Hal Wallis was born, Harold Brent Wallis on 14 September 1899 in Chicago. He died on October 5, 1986. He was an Academy Award-winning American motion picture producer. His family moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1922 where he found work as part of the publicity department at Warner Bros. in 1923.
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered unreleased film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don't Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
This is an excellent release no fan should be without it.
The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.
