Another interesting adventure in Presley life was becoming an actor. That is third and final part of my presentation. As it's impossible to pack a whole history into thre posts, if you still feel courious about Elvis (especially from late 60's and 70's) you can visit Wikipedia at http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley.Presley first movie was "The Reno Brothers". Exclusively for this motion picture he recorder song "Love Me Tender". During the promotion of movie he performed it on very popular Ed Sullivan TV show. What's funny - cameramen were ordered to film Elvis from belt to heads in order not to scandalize audience with his pelvis dance. During that night show was watched by 54 million of Americans. Massive number of record orders pushed film company to change movie name to Love Me Tender. After noticing Presley potential and Love Me Tender success we got 7 year contract. He starred in typical romance movies that were full of colors, beautiful girls and such weak songs that even Elvis recorded them with disgust. Still he loved cinematography since youth when his favourite movie was City Across The River (1949) with Tony Curtis.
What's interesting Elvis first casting wasn't that successfull. Actually he was aware of not having an acting talent but Colones wanted very badly him to be a film star too. One reason is obvious - starring in movies was much less exhausting than performing live at concerts. But there is another theory - Tom "Colonel" Parker real name was Andreas Cornelies van Kuijk - illegal immigrant from Holland earning earlier by dabbling in many various things (hot dog seller or dogcatcher). That's would explain why Elvis never had a concert outside USA (in Europe or in Japan) although they had some attractive offers. Parket also didn't visit Presley during his army duty in Germiany.
Elvis hated TV because he was afraid of it and almost every time made out bad. That's why he preferred motion pictures - director was always there to help him, weak scenes could be replayed etc. Many times he was saying "I'd like to be a better actor". Spending hours on watching Marlon Brando and James Dean acting he was hoping to develop himself. Dean's sudden death created unfulfilled niche that Presley could utilize. Unfortunatelly he never dit it and Elvis never had a doubt about it - "I would have never compare myself with James Dean because he was a true genius... I thing I'am a weak actor but maybe with time I will learn something". Michael Curtiz ("Casablanca") who worked with him said he was very polite and hardworking having incredible memory for roles. Still Elvis wasn't best actor in the world.
In the end of 1956 Elvis was declared "King of Rock and Roll". Elvismania was at it's top and was going to be there for next decades about which proof hits like "Suspicious Minds", "In the ghetto", never published "We can make the morning" attached to this post. Hope you enjoyed this short presentation and learn something about Presley legend rising. Do you know any Presley songs? If you do - please list them in your comments.
When talking about new facts you should know there's a lot of people believing Elvis is still alive.
ReplyDeleteFor example some believe that Elvis plays in Home Alone comedy with legendary Kevin. They claim that he's a man standing in background during an airport scene (http://hookedonhouses.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Elvis-in-the-airport-511x288.jpg)
;-)
Elvis is still alive. : P I love conspiracy theories.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vMcEJww8os&feature=related
Inconsistencies surrounding death. For someone who likes conspiracy theories.
ReplyDeleteElvis had a meeting with President Richard Nixon. According to some sources, during this meeting Nixon issued Elvis Presley a DEA badge (Drug Enforcement Agency). Probably because Elvis was helping investigators with a major case and after his death he joined the Witness Protection Program. One year after Elvis death lawsuit of a drug smugglers gang took place. Crown witness, whose identity never revealed, testified. But his testimony are known. And according to some the crown witness talked about things known only for Elvis.
The circumstances of death are described in conflicting ways. Witnesses disagree as to how and when the body was found and what Elvis was wearing. Even healthcare workers in Baptist Memorial Hospital, where the body was taken, argue that it wasn't Elvis body.
In 1977, the National Enquirer allegedly paid a third cousin of Elvis to smuggle a camera in to Elvis funeral viewing and snap a few photos. The resulting pictures raised many questions.
One day after Elvis death, a ticket to Buenos Aires was purchased at a Memphis airport. The man supposedly looked like Elvis and used the name John Burrows. This was the same name Elvis frequently used when making hotel reservations.
I have seen one time a ranging of best earning singers and Elvis was first! It is amazing that he keeps his posionon after so many yars after death. Actually last year he has given up his place to another king (of pop this time) Michel Jackson which earned $90 million this last year. We will see for how long. Elvis earned $55 millions in 2009.
ReplyDeleteI suppose you cant be the best in everything. Elvis was a great singer aparently so its hard to expect he would be amazing in acting too.
ReplyDeleteOf course he could still be good but all those brilliant people are well....brilliant because they keep practising what they do, thats one of the reasons at least.
So if Elvis wanted to master two things which arent the easiest he would run out of life really or be good at both but just good, not amazing.
I must say he had a really full life. Im just surprised about one thing. I expected that you will say something about his death or fact he is "still alive" :)
Im not sure how acurate it is but I heard he had issues with depression in the end.