Revisiting Dick Clark's Elvis Movie

Revisiting Dick Clark's Elvis Movie 

by  Don Wilson (with a special contribution from Larry Geller)

 

Kurt Russell's breakout role as Elvis Presley in Dick Clark's production of "Elvis", directed by John Carpenter.

HOLLYWOOD, CA.: September 15, 2016-- In 1979 Elvis was everywhere, although he passed away on August 16, 1977. The first motion picture on the Rock king's life fell into capable hands. The movie isn't perfect, but it is the best production on the life of Elvis Presley. Dick Clark told me in 2001: "That's what you call 'Artistic License' depicting the man's life in the constraints of a production." 

Clark was right, how can you fill the nearly two and a half hours with Elvis's full story? You simply can't. There are so many elements to consider. Clark continues: "I presented it to ABC before Elvis' death. The idea was the drama of Elvis' triumphant return to Las Vegas in 1969, where the film begins. We talked about it several weeks and they said 'We will go ahead.' Ironically, that verbal agreement was the morning of August 16, 1977, the day of Elvis's death. The ultimate irony is that a year later - to the day I found on my desk a telegram from ABC-TV saying 'commence principal photography'."

The movie begins and ends in 1969 at the point of Elvis's historic comeback to the stage at the International Hotel (later the Las Vegas Hilton) Dick Clark remembers: "When I saw Elvis at the International, you could feel the love in the room. To see what that man could do was amazing! He had a great look, a great voice, he had the magic. He left us with a wonderful legacy. On the personal side, I wish he had achieved more happiness." 

"My favorite recollection of when we did the Elvis film for television was the casting. We ended up casting a guy named Kurt Russell, who up until that time had worked for  Mr. Disney in 'The Flying Rubber Duck' or silly films. The world fell on us. 'You got Kurt Russell? The Disney actor in the title role? Are you crazy?' You know what, Kurt did the best job, the most extraordinary ever, he was magnificent. Every nuance of the performance. He should have won an Emmy!"

Technical Advisors included Elvis's close friends and confidantes Charlie Hodge (left) and Larry Geller (right) flanking the film's star, Kurt Russell.

The late Charlie Hodge was a friend of this writer, Charlie lived at Graceland from 1960-1977, he sang harmony with Elvis and appeared with him on stage at all of his concerts. Charlie told me years ago: "Kurt Russell did a great job as Elvis, he really did his homework, and he has a great appreciation for Elvis to this day. I really enjoyed working on the project. Who would have known that the kid that kicked Elvis in the chin in 'It Happened At The World's Fair' would later play him in a film - and do an excellent job! I had to catch myself a couple of times, he had Elvis down."

Kurt Russell kicks Elvis in a scene from MGM's "It Happened At The World's Fair", shot in 1962.

 Kurt Russell recalls meeting with Elvis Presley and working with him: "It was my first brush with a real celebrity. I've never seen anything having to do with a real celebrity before. I didn't really know who Elvis Presley was. I was a ten-year-old kid. I knew Elvis Presley was a name that everybody knew. If I had seen him, I didn't know it. I wasn't into music and I didn't listen to music much."

"So, the first time he came on the set, a car went on the set, hundreds of women just broke through there and just got on his car. We were all staring and I was thinking what's going on there? This guy says 'Well, that's Elvis, we won't be able to get him on this round.' They backed the car up and I was just watching them attack the car. Wow."

Kurt Russell on Elvis for TCM.

 "To a ten-year-old kid, it's like 'What are they doing? What are they thinking?' Elvis came out later through a different way, and he's just this really nice guy. I was just this kid and I asked him, 'What's the deal with all those girls jumping on your car?' He could see that I was just this innocent kid and responded with 'Ah, they get crazy!' I told him 'You should never come in that way again, you know.' So, I remember that. I remember him having his car completely jumped up with girls!"

Larry Geller (far left) with Elvis and other members of the Memphis Mafia, including Marty Lacker, Joe Esposito and Jerry Schilling.

 

Enter Larry Geller: "It was 1978, less than a year since Elvis passed away. I was still experiencing deep shock, feeling as though my life had cracked open, clueless as to where I was headed."

"One afternoon I received a call inviting me to a meeting with Dick Clark and his production staff concerning a movie project about Elvis. The worldwide media at that time was ablaze with stories about Elvis - from the tabloids like The National Enquirer, The Globe, movie magazines, to newspapers and TV shows like "Entertainment Tonight" - they ate up anything Elvis! And a good deal of the stories, articles and interviews drove me crazy - my initiation into the media's trap of fabrications, half-truths and pure BS! Especially coming from some..."

"I did have plenty of trepidation about the meeting, only like most others I admired and respected Dick Clark. But, i was still very leery and cautious - I had no idea what to expect. I met Dick Clark, the writer Anthony Lawrence and a few other key people for the production. I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked them all, especially their total respect and love for Elvis. But still, I kept my eyes open, and only one overriding thought in mind - protecting Elvis as best as I could!" 

Elvis performing to adoring fans in Florida. Larry Geller can be seen to the right (kneeling) protecting his friend.

"They asked me to be part of the production as a technical advisor, help the writer in a few area, and also play myself in several scenes. I was told that Charlie Hodge also was attached to the TV movie (I spoke with Charlie later that day, which further convinced me that joining the production was absolutely the right thing to do.) "

"One of the few questions I asked was who they had cast to portray Elvis. When they said Kurt Russell my whole body came to attention, my eyes opened wide, and I exclaimed 'Kurt Russell to play Elvis?' My optimism came to a screeching halt. I knew who Kurt was, had seen him before, and knew that as a kid he worked with Elvis in 'It Happened At The World's Fair.' I recognized that Kurt was a good actor - but as Elvis Presley! Elvis was the most dynamic, extraordinary handsome star who ever lived. A living masterpiece!"

 

"The team tried to convince me and asked if I would meet with Kurt, talk with him and maybe even cut, style and color his hair black like Elvis' and then see how I felt. I agreed."

"At the time I was house-sitting singer Johnny Rivers' home off Mulholland Drive in Beverly Hills. A meeting was set a few days later and Kurt Russell came over to the house. I must say that upon my first impressions, I liked him, and could see right off the bat that he could pull it off. But what really impressed me the most was Kurt's sincerity, intelligence and most of all his intent to honor Elvis. It was obvious just how much Kurt loved Elvis. Not being in the union, I wasn't allowed to do Kurt's hair for the movie. The hairdressers on the set had an easier job, as I had already cut and colored his hair; all they had to do was follow what was already created. They performed their task beautifully."

"We spoke for many hours that first afternoon. he shared stories of working with Elvis, which made an indelible mark upon him. I told him story after story about Elvis. He sat there eating it up. After I dyed his hair and styled it - his look as Elvis began taking shape, Believe me, I know that no one  could ever appear to duplicate that face, that Elvis look completely. My task was to at least come as close as possible. And I must say that of all the TV movies and series, and feature films - it was Kurt Russell who is till on the top of the heap. And from what I've been told, most others feel the same way. It was during  filming when I first realized that for someone to portray Elvis, to capture his essence, a trained actor, schooled and seasoned in his craft is the best way to go. There are several terrific ETA's out there, who would love to be Elvis in a movie, and might even do a decent job, but a talented actor who understands his craft is my first choice." 

Season Hubley (as Priscilla Presley) and Kurt Russell (as Elvis Presley) in "Elvis" (1979)

"One principal photography began on the movie, it soon became crystal clear that Kurt Russell was a wise and well thought-out choice. I remember filming one afternoon in Long Beach, California, at a home that was being used as Graceland. Kurt and Season Hubley, who was portraying Priscilla were rehearsing, standing at a gate. My back was turned to them, when suddenly Kurt yelled out 'Priscilla come here!' Without a thought my whole body swiftly turned around actually thinking it was Elvis. The momentary experience stunned me. Man, not only did Kurt sound like Elvis, but he carried and conveyed something very real."

Kurt Russell and Season Hubley shooting a scene in Long Beach, California at a house that doubled for Graceland.

 

Shelley Winters (as Gladys Presley) and Kurt Russell (as Elvis Presley) in a scene from "Elvis".

 "From director John Carpenter, to Shelley Winters to Bing Russell (Kurt's father, who portrayed Vernon Presley) and the entire cast and crew, the production went smoothly and was joy to be a part of. Many of the people during production would come up up to me and ask about Elvis. A lot of my time was spent telling anecdotes that everyone loved to hear. Although there were other tech advisors, only Charlie Hodge and I were there every day for the entire filming."

 

"I did play myself in one scene, and was asked to be in another bigger one. I declined. The scene they asked me to be in, and would be written right there on the spot, is where Elvis fired his entourage - which did happen several times, but not exactly the way it was presented. I remember when I was against being in the scene, they offered me a handsome fee. Tempting, but I explained that although this might have happened on occasion, I was never fired. I couldn't put that out there; it wasn't the truth, and I couldn't let myself be seen that way."

"So I've been asked over the years my opinion about the finished product. was it all authentic, did I like the movie? I did like the movie - but it did have its flaws. many of the scenes were entirely made up - but metaphorically, it captures something that no mother movie has - to date. I'm very proud to have been part of a professional production of that caliber and to be associated with it. working closely with Kurt was very special. We became friends during that experience - he's a terrific guy who did his best - one hell of a responsibility that he's very proud of."

"Truth be told, if I were to make a movie about Elvis now, I would put to use a lot of what I learned by being part of Dick Clark's production."

 

 

Becky Yancey, a secretary to both Elvis Presley and his father, Vernon Presley was also a technical advisor on "Elvis."

Becky Yancey, a secretary to Elvis at Graceland was a technical advisor on "Elvis" as well, she recently said: "I am happy to hear that the movie 'Elvis' starring Kurt Russell is now available on Blu-ray. I have it on DVD. It was an honor to have something to do with this movie and meet the great cast, plus meeting the great Dick Clark. Kurt Russell did an amazing job playing Elvis. I think this film is the best that has ever been made about Elvis."

When Joe Esposito and I met with Dick Clark at his office I interviewed the American icon, Joe asked a couple of questions too. Clark timed himself for 15 second soundbites and even counted down. I just watched the unreleased video interview and in the end, Clark said, "Now, turn the camera off and I will tell you the whole story!" I made notes and now except for the sound bites used for the 2002 documentary "The Definitive Elvis", more facts from that meeting:

Kurt Russell and director John Carpenter met with Elvis' father Vernon Presley at Graceland prior to production. Mr. Presley liked Kurt and wanted to give him the feel for portraying his son, Elvis and suggested he try on one of his jumpsuits, Kurt picked out one and with Vernon Presley's permission wore it in the film. The suit was meant to be returned, but it never was and Vernon Presley died on June 26, 1979. Later, the suit was auctioned off and was last seen on display at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando, Florida.

Elvis Presley wearing the jumpsuit that Kurt Russell later wore in the 1979 film.

Elvis first wore the "Adonis" jumpsuit (above) at Madison Square Garden in June 1972. Below is a shot of Kurt Russell wearing the suit for the film, "Elvis" in 1979:

Filming locations included Long Beach, California where a home doubled for Graceland, the Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, California was also used. 

Sandi Miller with Elvis at his 1174 Hillcrest Drive home in late 1968.

Elvis and Sandi Miller in 1969.

Sandi Miller, a friend of Elvis' and a former girlfriend of Charlie Hodge was there for a day of shooting at Elvis' former home 1174 Hillcrest Drive in Beverly Hills. The exterior of the home as well as the interior were used. The scenes can be viewed towards the end of the film. "Production trucks were everywhere, I don't think the neighbors were too happy!" 

Kurt Russell as Elvis rehearses "Suspicious Minds" inside Elvis' actual home at 1174 Hillcrest Drive in Beverly Hills.

Sandi Miller continues: "I remember Kurt said ' Some freaky things happened while we were filming...' He and Charlie would come outside and chat between scenes. Miller had been at this home on many occasions with Elvis and was a trusted friend. 

Season Hubley as Priscilla Presley shooting inside Elvis' former home at 1174 Hillcrest Drive in Beverly Hills.

When "Elvis" first aired on ABC on February 11, 1979 it beat "Gone With The Wind" and "One Flew Over The Cuckoo'sNest" in ratings on the rival networks CBS amd NBC. After its success on television, "Elvis" was released theatrically in Europe. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Made For Televsion and for three Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Mini-series or Movie for Kurt Russell.

Anthony Lawrence penned the story, he had also worked as a screenwriter for Elvis on three pictures, "Roustabout", "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" and "Easy Come, Easy Go". Singer Ronnie McDowell did the vocals as Elvis. McDowell had a 1977 hit just after Elvis' death with a song that he wrote called "The King Is Gone". Elvis' producer at RCA Felton Jarvis produced the tracks to be used for the film and the soundtrack album. The DVD was released in 2010 and the Blu-ray has been a long time coming, it is now available and looking fabulous! 

The movie isn't perfect, there are flaws, but it is without a doubt, the best that has been done to date. There was only one Elvis Aaron Presley, there are countless Elvis Tribute Artists all over the world. The ETA's are male, female and any nationality that you can think of. Elvis touched millions upon untold millions of people. I remember meeting Muhammad Ali who told me: "I was in Africa and I went into this tent and there was nobody there, nothing but a Holy Bible. I picked it up and inside was a photo of Elvis!"

As George Klein, Elvis' longtime friend says: "There have been many pretenders and there have been many contenders. The United States has had 43 presidents - and only one king!" 

I personally think that Elvis would like the film and the sincerity of those involved. Sure, I can pick out some errors or say "This didn't happen until later." People can nitpick about this or that, but the love for Elvis is there in each frame. It's dramatic license or as Dick Clark put it "artistic license."

Kurt Russell did an excellent job in his portrayal. Kurt was ten-years-old when met Elvis, who was twenty-seven. When Kurt Russell was twenty-seven he was portraying Elvis Presley in a film. Ironic? I can remember what Elvis said to me and on many occasions to friends and he has the last word in this article: "There is no such thing as coincidence. There is a reason for everything!"

NOW AVAILABLE ON Blu-ray and DVD!

Please visit: www.donwilsonshollywoodbeat.com

  

Jeanne Carmen and Marilyn Monroe

Jeanne Carmen And Marilyn Monroe (Extended)

by Don Wilson

This feature is enhanced with video of Jeanne Carmen and her son and daughter in interviews and documentaries.

HOLLYWOOD, CA.: September 5, 2016-- Jeanne Carmen was born in Paragould, Arkansas, when she was growing up, she picked cotton and hated it. She told me that she had to tote a gun to go to the outhouse. "There were snakes around, so you had to be prepared with a gun. we had no toilet paper, so we used newspaper. At the time I looked for Hitler's picture that was usually on the front page. And, well you know what I did with it!" 

Jeanne Carmen wanted more than the small Arkansas town, she wanted excitement - and did she ever find it. Jeanne ran away from home at age 13 and eventually moved to New York City. Carmen was always blunt and to the point, she always had a sense of humor right along with her frankness.

                                         Jeanne Carmen's appearance on The Golf Central.

Jeanne was hired as a dancer in Burlesque, performing with Bert Lahr, who had played the cowardly lion in the MGM classic "The Wizard Of Oz". Jeanne also modeled for several men's magazines. Jeanne also became a trick golfer and appeared with Jack Redmond, she's a legend in the skill that she achieved with her trick shots - which are still spoken about today. Jeanne also appeared in a Three Stooges short entitled "A Merry mix Up" playing Joe Besser's girlfriend 'Mary'.

Jeanne Carmen is seen, thrid from the left embracing Joe Besser in this still from a Three Stooges short. Photo: Brandon James Collection

Jeanne became known as "Queen of the B Movies", that title was used by E! Television on their series E! The True Hollywood Story in 1998. It was the first widespread coverage on media where Jeanne spoke about her "dangerously close friendship with Marilyn Monroe and The Kennedys". Jeanne had told this writer that after Monroe's death she was warned her to leave Hollywood or she's be leaving in a box like Monroe. It was Chicago mobster Johnny Rosselli who was working with Chicago Mob Boss Sam Giancana. Carmen heeded his advice, packed up all of her belongings and boxed up her career, the films, magazines, glamour photos and left California for a quiet life in Scottsdale, Arizona. She married and had three children along the way. It was her son Brandon and his curiosity while going through boxes that he learned of his mother's Hollywood career. 

Marilyn Monroe modeling in a drak wig.

Jeanne Carmen met Marilyn Monroe in a bar in New York City, Carmen was studying with Lee Strasberg and she had to do a scene that day. Carmen continues: "I went to this bar and I looked around and the bar was full of guys and there was this one girl sitting there with dark hair and horn rimmed glasses, she had no make up on. And I thought 'Okay, I'll sit next to her...then I won't be bothered. I can work at my scene.' So, I sat down and she instantly said 'Hi!' and I said 'Hi!' and she said 'I'm Norma..." I said, 'I'm Jeanne...' Norma said, 'Are you doing a scene with Lee Strasberg today?' and I said 'Yes.' She said, 'Would you like me to help you?' I said 'Sure...' so we ordered a wine and she started helping me do my lines and then at one point, I looked at my watch and said 'Oh, I gotta go, I have to do, you know, he gets mad if you're late. But, I need to go to the bathroom." Then, I came out and I looked around and there's this blonde standing there and I thought 'What happened to my friend?' So, i started to go out the door and she said in her Marilyn Monroe voice 'Jeanne...' and I looked around and I thought 'My God, this is Marilyn Monroe!' I had seen her picture in the paper and and I go 'You're Marilyn.' and she said (giggling) 'Yes!' So, we became friends and that moment and we stayed friends until she was killed." 

Jeanne Carmen and longtime friend Tony Curtis in Las Vegas.

In Tony Curtis's book American Prince; A Memoir he spoke of Jeanne: "Marilyn Monroe said that when she was a child her mother had been sick. Marilyn didn't mention her father. She had a friend named Jeanne Carmen, a showgirl, who was very important to her." A few paragraphs down Curtis mentioned Carmen again: "I liked Marilyn more than any of the other. She was different. She was fragile and vulnerable, which attracted me greatly. we continued seeing each other for awhile. We would go to her friend Jeanne Carmen's place, or Howard's (Howard Duff) bungalow, and once we even went to Marilyn's hotel room. We almost never went out at night, in public, though." 

Jeanne Carmen last talked with Marilyn Monroe on the evening of August 4th, 1962 (Carmen's birthday) Marilyn had asked Jeanne to come over, but Carmen told me that she had drank so much that evening that she couldn't drive the distance and besides that, it would be unsafe. Carmen regretted not being able to go that night to see Marilyn and she would tear up talking about that last night of Monroe's life. She did speak with me on many occasions about Marilyn and her memories would be fresh and she would speak of them with joy. I could just mention Marilyn's last night and Jeanne's face would change all expression and she'd lose that joy, her face was full of sadness and regret. I had told her: "Jeanne, But even if you went that last night, things may not have changed." She looked me straight in the eyes and said "You're right. But, I wanted to be there for her..."  When asked where she thought Monroe would go had she lived: "I think Broadway. that would really have made her a great actress and she would have gone up, up, up!"

The general public and fans have sought out photos of Jeanne with Marilyn, but to no avail. They may exist, but it was a different time. Cameras were bulky and cumbersome and when you were living day to day with busy schedules, trying to lead a private life as possible. Many times the thought of snapping photos was the last thing on a actress or model's mind. After all wasn't there enough of that on the set, the fans snapping photos of you if they spotted you - or the endless publicity of the studios at the time. It was long before the advent of cell photos with the capability of shooting instant photos and posting them on media. 

Jeanne Carmen on "Missing Reward". Featuring re-enactments of Marilyn Monroe, Jeanne Carmen and Bobby Kennedy.

Hugh M. Hefner visits Jeanne Carmen during an autograph show at the Beverly Garland Hotel in North Hollywood. Photo: Brandon James Collection

Jeanne Carmen died on December 20, 2007, she was 77 years old. Jeanne was unique, one-of-a-kind,unpredictable, fun and delightful, She was a good and trusted friend of mine and I cherish that friendship and I miss her to this day, very much. When all is said and done, time is very important, don't waste it. Jeanne Carmen didn't waste time and she lived her life to the fullest and she loved life and those who were in her life. Her epitaph reads "She Came. She Saw. She Conquered." and that she did,

                                           Jeanne Carmen: The E True Hollywood Story

This won't be the last article on Jeanne Carmen. I have cassettes of audio with her and a video interview that has never been made public, along with my memories. They haven't even been tapped yet. I owe it to Jeanne to get what she left in my hands in this blog and my website. If Jeanne were here she would be supportive of me, as she always was. This particular story is about her friendship with Marilyn Monroe, but I will delve into her life and memory and bring more stories and features on her in the future. I want to thank Jeanne's son Brandon James and Jeanne's daughter Kellee Jade Campo for their assistance in this article. 

                               Jeanne Carmen on KCAL 9 News

Brandon James's book on his mother is available here: https://www.amazon.com/Jeanne-Carmen-WILD-LIFE-Queen/dp/0595409067

     Brandon James and Kellee Jade Campo discusses their mother        and the book on her life.

Jeanne Carmen's Official Site: www.jeannecarmen.com

                           Jeanne Carmen Compilation Video.

Don Wilson and Jeanne Carmen in North Hollywood.