Friday, April 27, 2018

Elvis - The King of Hollywood Part One

   ELVIS  - THE KING OF HOLLYWOOD
                              Part One
                          by Don Wilson




Being a legend like Elvis Presley, the looks, the hits, and his image - it's easy to overlook his movies. Elvis made thirty-one feature films and two documentaries. Elvis wanted to be a film actor as much as he wanted to be a performer. Elvis grew increasingly upset as the years rolled along and an endless cookie-cutter mentality was created after the success of his biggest picture, "Blue Hawaii" in 1961. 


Elvis looking perplexed on the set of "Blue Hawaii".

Paramount Pictures' legendary Hal Wallis and Elvis' manager Colonel Tom Parker were behind these cookie cutters. One of the first films to try and duplicate the success was "Girls! Girls! Girls!"  Elvis said to co-star Stella Stevens " Why knock success?" In 1962, Elvis could say that, but he hoped for better projects. At the time, according to Stevens, Elvis seemed upset at her for the suggestion of doing stage plays and honing his acting chops. 
Actress Stella Stevens with Elvis in a promo poses in 1962.


Let's go back to 1956, the beginning of Elvis' dream of being a good actor, he had said "I wouldn't care for singing in the movies." He took an acting test as well as another test filmed in color performing "Blue Suede Shoes" with a prop guitar - no strings. He passed the audition. Elvis was first offered a part in "The Rainmaker" with Burt Lancaster and Katharine Hepburn, but to the promising star's dismay, Paramount loaned him out to 20th Century Fox to film "The Reno Brothers". 
Elvis in a publicity pose for "Love Me Tender".



A Civil War tune called "Aura Lee" was transformed by songwriter Vera Matson with original lyrics - it became the title song of the movie. Producers were so elated by the song that they renamed the movie "Love Me Tender" and added three more songs., "Let Me", "We're Gonna Move" and "Poor Boy", complete with some gyrations on a couple of them. Yet, Elvis pulled it off.

The film co-starred Debra Paget, whom Elvis fell for. At the time, Paget was dating Howard Hughes. Cliff Gleaves witnessed  Hughes following Elvis as he tried to win Debra's heart, but her mother would have no part of it. In the end, Elvis gave up. They did appear on "The Milton Berle Show" together. The film actually starred Richard Egan and the supporting cast included William Campbell and James Drury, who in a few years became TV's "The Virginian".

Elvis gave a good acting job in "Love Me Tender". Actually, if the three songs weren't included, it may have been a different beginning for Elvis. Ray Manzarek, the founder of The Doors cited "Love Me Tender" as his favorite film and told me that it was also Jim Morrison's favorite picture.


Elvis performs "Mean Woman Blues" in "Loving You", 1957.


The second film was for Paramount, "Loving You" tailor-made for Elvis by writer Hal Kanter. Kanter followed elvis around on tour and back to his home in Memphis to get a feel of Elvis' life. This is a fun gem and a classic picture. A great supporting cast for Elvis here, Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey, James Gleason, and the lovely Dolores Hart. Some good tunes and a hit album. The hit songs "Teddy Bear" and "Loving You" are featured as well as the unforgettable "Mean Woman Blues". A lot of exuberance in this picture, even with the extras.

"Loving You" is a must for Elvis fans and those who have an interest in Elvis' life, though fiction, it mirrors some aspects of his life, such as his personality and good nature. It also captures the rebel Elvis and features Elvis' parents Vernon and Gladys Presley in the final song, they are in the audience cheering him on. 


Elvis with co-star Judy Tyler, who didn't live long enough to see the picture released.


The third picture is for Metro Goldwyn Mayer, the title was "Jailhouse Rock". Elvis' pal George Klein told me that it was really the big time at MGM, Elvis had Clark Gable's dressing room. George spotted some Western stars there like Glenn Strange and Bob Steele, Elvis held up shooting for a bit so he could talk with them.

The formula at this time seemed good, a handful of songs, instead of a dozen and a good story. Again, Elvis had a good supporting cast and classic songs, the title song and "Baby, I Don't Care". By the way, that's Elvis doing the bass runs on that recording.  The beautiful song "Young and Beautiful" was sung to Elvis' leading lady, Judy Tyler. Tragically, Judy Tyler was killed on her honeymoon in a car crash. 

According to George Klein, Elvis came to his house and told Klein's mother that he had to talk with George. When he came to the door, Elvis was quiet. Klein asked what was wrong. Elvis said, G.K., Let's go for a ride. After a few moments, Elvis said "Judy Tyler got killed on her honeymoon." Elvis was very distraught, he liked Tyler very much, and then she was gone. They just drove around Memphis together so Elvis could wrap his head around the reality.


George Klein, a close friend to Elvis, pictured with him, in 1957.


"Jailhouse Rock" is a true classic and is enshrined in the Library of Congress to be preserved as a significant element of our cultural history. It's a must for any Elvis fan and film collector alike. Elvis does an impressive job. Alex Romero choreographed the dance number of the title song after Elvis showed him his moves. Romero incorporated it and it was easy for Elvis. essentially, it is the very first music video - long before MTV.


Elvis in a promo still for "King Creole" in 1958.
Elvis was drafted to the U.S. Army and asked for a deferment for making his fourth movie, "King Creole". The part was intended for James Dean, as a boxer. Of course, Dean was killed in a traffic accident in 1955. It was a custom fit for Elvis as a singer in New Orleans. "King Creole" is the best of the Presley canon. Not only that, it was the only film that Elvis would really talk about, he was proud of the film, and justly so.

Without getting very much into the storyline, it is simply the film, if you would have any film to show Elvis' acting ability and great musical performances, this movie gives it. Top actors and actresses complement each other and, of course, Elvis: Walter Matthau, Carolyn Jones, Dolores Hart (once again) Vic Morrow, Jan Shepard, Dean Jagger and Raymond Bailey (the future 'Mr. Drysdale' on "The Beverly Hillbillies".

The grit and atmosphere of New Orleans, the music, the underbelly crime element of the city, the good and the bad, it's all here. The critics loved it and if Elvis would have stayed on this path, the road to his films would have been different. The film yielded two memorable hits "Trouble" and the hit "Hard Headed Woman"


Elvis poses for RCA in 1961.



There are many reasons to call Elvis, The King of Hollywood. Of course, Clark Gable was The King, and sadly he passed away in 1960, as The Rock and Roll King came back to Hollywood. Elvis admired Gable very much and according to Cliff Gleaves, Elvis called him a "Man's Man". As the saying goes, "The King is Dead, Long live the King." 

No one but Elvis could have pulled off the future weak scripts and still come away from success. In the mid-sixties, Elvis told his friend Larry Geller that he wanted to give it all up at one point, the movies and his career. Larry talked Elvis out of it. By this time he was deeper in his spiritual quest. something that Colonel Parker was threatened by, but that is another story in this series.




I hope you enjoyed the first story in this series, I won't touch on all of his movies, but the very best to be noticed and seen once again with fresh eyes. Glen Campbell told me in 2001: "When Elvis was making those movies in the '60s, I thought they were pretty hokey. But now, when I see them on TV, they're really cool!"

It's reassessment time, a time to look back and see some hidden gems and learn some rarely known instances and facts concerning Elvis' film career.  When many film stars were going on location in other parts of the world, Elvis kept working in Hollywood, and not only that, he kept many others working there at the same time.

In Part Two, I will explore the early 60's and Elvis finding his place in that new world. The quiet times and the times when Elvis knocked the door down yet again, to an unsuspecting public.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Elvis - The Searcher (Review)

    ELVIS PRESLEY: THE SEARCHER 
                              Review

                        by Don Wilson






***1/2 stars out of 5
I just watched the premiere of Elvis Presley: The Searcher on HBO. The production was very good, although it is not "definitive" as Priscilla Presley was quoted as saying. The title throws me, Elvis was a searcher but spiritually. There was a lot left out of Elvis' story, however it is a nice enhancement for a fans collection.
Priscilla Presley spoke well and hit the mark on certain areas of Elvis' life. Jerry Schilling was heard throughout the special as were some Sony producers and writers who did not know Elvis. A great surprise was Red West, very close to Elvis for many years, he was never before included on a EPE production past Elvis' death.
The producers should have included George Klein, Patsy Presley, Richard Davis and other pals, a co-star here and there. I commend the producers for using interviews of Sam Phillips, Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, Tony Brown and Ronnie Tutt. No mention of Joe Esposito or archival interview. It can't be definitive without other voices close to Elvis.
Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty did well, but I would have also liked to have heard more voices of those close to the subject, more of Elvis' words as well. Steve Binder, Chris Beard and Bones Howe were very important to this special presentation, as was Mike Stoller.
The special promised never before seen footage. There were some photos, a handful that I never saw. The footage of Elvis shot by Joe Esposito was used before except some clips here and there.
Footage of Elvis on the train in 1960, on movie sets and American Sound Studios were good. The footage of Elvis performing "Burning Love" for MGM's cameras was a standout. Which reminds me of the hours of MGM footage that has not been released as of yet from "Elvis: That's The Way It Is" and "Elvis On Tour" ?
When will MGM and EPE release this footage? There is definitely a market for it! The 50's footage of Elvis at Magnolia Gardens in Houston was used before, as was June Juanico's home movies, as well as Eddie Fadal's.
The footage of Elvis on the set of "Viva Las Vegas" I saw before as well as the clips from Long Beach in 1964. However, it is good to have all of these clips together and some 70's footage of "An American Trilogy".
The special is very good, but it could have been better and even 30 minutes longer with rare concert footage. That's why I gave three and a half stars. For the novice fan, it's a good introduction of Elvis, to the long time fan, it leaves you wanting more.
Towards the end of the program Priscilla spoke of Elvis searching for answers. A interview with close friend Larry Geller who assisted Elvis on his spiritual quest should have been inserted.
Perhaps, it this is a great success, which I wish for projects on Elvis, more footage of the man himself will be released to the public and original fans who have been waiting.

Friday, March 23, 2018

Burt Reynolds in The Last Movie Star






I just screened "The Last Movie Star" starring Burt Reynolds. In many ways Burt is just that. Sure, there are other legends of the Silver Screen, like Clint Eastwood, but, he is behind the cameras now. Before I tell you of the screening, I will give you some background why this film was emotional to me.


Growing up, I had three movie heroes Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne. I didn't meet The Duke, I missed him by 15 minutes in 1976. I did meet Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood. Those film stars I hoped to meet when I moved to Hollywood twenty-five years ago.
Meeting Burt was something people always hope to do when they go to Hollywood. In my case, it was 1998, I went to Beverly Hills. I had just done a Hollywood Show at the Beverly Garland Hotel and left early. I wanted to pick up two new VHS releases, one being a widescreen copy of "Deliverance" and "Some Like It Hot". Little did I know, when I drove down Wilshire Boulevard that day, I would meet my movie hero.

My former wife was with me and our three year old son. Across the street from the Hollywood Video store is the El Rey Theatre and in big letters on the marquee it read "Starring Burt Reynolds". I found out later that Burt was there to shoot a Kodak commercial.

As I drove into the back parking lot, I noticed a guy that looked like Burt Reynolds - it was Burt Reynolds. He had posed in a group shot with the employees of the video store and he was walking to his limo, when I jumped out of my car and shouted "Hey Burt!". He turned around and walked towards us. He was chewing gum like he did dozens of times in his films.


Burt said "Yeah, what's up?" I mentioned how much we admired him and loved his films. He was pleased and smiled. He said"Even this little guy?" We assured him that he did. I asked him to pose for some photos. He said "Sure!" He posed with my wife and son. Burt then posed with me.


Burt asked where we were from. I said "We live here." He said, "But, you're not from here." I told him of my aspirations of working in the film business. He warned me that this town could build you up and then chew you up and spit you out.


I asked Burt advice for a actor. He said "Never give up! I went to 499 auditions and they turned me down flat. I got my first job after all those tries. Clint Eastwood and I were fired they same day. They said Clint's Adam's Apple was too big and they told me 'You can't act!' I told Clint, 'I can always learn to act, but you can't get rid of that Adam's Apple!'


I told Burt that I believed that he was going to win the Golden Globe the next day, he didn't seem to believe he would. He did. He hadn't even seen the film "Boogie Nights" and didn't want to do it. we talked about quite a few things that afternoon, including the South,"Smokey And The Bandit" and Elvis.



I met a lot of stars in Hollywood, but Burt Reynolds was the most down to earth. Burt took time for us, something not many stars these days would do. He alluded to offers that he turned down, some mistakes. He wished us well and wished me luck with my career. He said to me that once I was done, find a place of quiet and go back to the South.


This brings me to "The Last Movie Star". I viewed the film with my girlfriend on our big screen, we popped the popcorn and settled back. I don't want to give away everything, so I will just touch on it, here and there.Burt conveyed how it feels to grow older and look back on your life. His character, 'Vic Edwards' seems lonely. He is still young at heart, but visibly older and he uses a cane. He plays a character much like himself, a one time major star, someone many still feel is a living legend. The younger crowd just doesn't seem to get it.

He's invited to an awards show/film festival in Nashville, but doesn't want to go, but his pal, Chevy Chase talks him into it. It's not what he expected, from there on, it becomes a visit to his past and also a self realization of himself. The characters that the actors and actresses portray will touch you. The film was exceptionally cast. You will laugh and you will cry. It is a must for film lovers and fans of Mr. Reynolds.


The film is available on Direct TV Cinema, on Blu-ray and will be released in theaters on March 30. Catch it, you will be glad that you did. Burt Reynolds should be nominated for an Oscar - and win it!
- Don Wilson
www.donwilsonshollywoodbeat.com