Source: http://elvispresleylive.blogspot.com/2012/01/always-on-my-mind-elvis-presley.html
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Can a Book Be Considered a Killer?
Did Elvis die because of a book? According to this interesting story, a book may very well have helped to kill Elvis Presley. You all know the book I am talking about. Elvis: What Happened was published just 2 weeks before Elvis died in 1977 and was an expose by Red and Sonny West as well as David Hebler, former bodyguards to the King who had been fired by Vernon Presley, Elvis’ father. The book was written in collaboration with Steve Dunleavy, a hard-drinking, controversial Australian reporter greatly favored by none other then Rupert Murdoch.
The West brothers tried to appease loyal Elvis friends and fans by saying their intention was to help Elvis by publicizing his drug dependency. But we all know that was a load of horse poop and the real reason they wrote the book was vengeance, plain and simple. It certainly wasn’t for money as this story makes it very clear that all the proceeds from this awful but bestselling book went back to the Murdoch’s news corporation, not the author(s).
Can a book be blamed for killing the King of Rock & Roll? No of course not. Elvis was on his way to his death bed long before these ingrates decided to write this horrible book. (I have never been able to bring myself to read this book, my opinion that it is horrible is based on what others have written about it.) In fact, it is my belief that it wasn’t a book that left Elvis feeling so empty and unfulfilled that he subconsciously felt had nothing left to live for but in fact, it was the loss of his mother Gladys that started him down that fateful road.
Elvis Presley and Rupert Murdoch: The King and Papa Paparazzi
Music journalist Chet Flippo, editorial director for the Country Music Television cable channel and its website, CMT.com, tells a fascinating story in his latest Nashville Skyline column about embattled publishing mogul Rupert Murdoch’s role in the waning days of Elvis Presley’s life.
Now that Murdoch and his News Corp. are embroiled in the cellphone hacking scandal that’s rocking the United Kingdom, Flippo revisits the period in the 1970s when the Australian media giant was lobbying to bring his gossip-mongering ways to the U.S. by acquiring two Texas newspapers — the San Antonio News and the San Antonio Express.
“He later combined both newspapers as the San Antonio Express-News, but early on, he instructed the News staff to turn the paper into a ‘screamer.’ And the paper soon did so. With a vengeance,” Flippo writes. “The staff began introducing Murdoch’s patented tabloid formula of sensationalism, sex, celebrities, crime and corruption. The facts be damned.”
Buy the Book At Amazon – Out of print but used copies are available.
Can a Book Be Considered a Killer? is a post from: The Elvis Presley Blog
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/myElvisPresleyBlog/~3/G-Ko_3QGyo8/can-a-book-be-considered-a-killer
THAT S WHAT YOU GET FOR LOVIN ME FOR OL TIMES SAKE FOR THE GOOD TIMES FOR THE HEART
1970-11-16 ES Oklahoma City - Go Cat Go Recorded Live at the Fair Grounds Arena, Oklahoma City / Oklahoma November 16, 1970 Evening Show Audience Recording Sundial 501 51:57 min. 107 MB Sound Quali
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Elvis-This Day In History
July 27, 1963
After 3 days of filming at the Lake Mead Marina, cast and crew from the Viva Las Vegas set returned to Los Angeles and by now Elvis and Ann-Margret were the subject of gossip.
Elvis-This Day In History is a post from: The Elvis Presley Blog
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/myElvisPresleyBlog/~3/UaMsIW8nfDA/elvis-this-day-in-history
FOOLS RUSH IN WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD THAT S WHAT YOU GET FOR LOVIN ME FOR OL TIMES SAKE FOR THE GOOD TIMES
Random Thoughts on Encore’s Elvis Collection — Part 4
When I decided to comment on every Elvis movie offered by the Encore channel in May, I never figured my old laptop would die one week into the series. And I didn’t know I would go into Data Transfer Hell with my new laptop. Everything is finally up and running now, so let’s talk about some Elvis movies.
Movies Presented in the Past Week That I Liked:
There were four: Live A Little, Love A Little, Viva Las Vegas, Blue Hawaii, and Kissin’ Cousins. All four are like must-see choices for me every time they show up on cable.
Viva Las Vegas — Ann-Margret can tune my race car any time.
Blue Hawaii — My favorite scene is when Elvis sings “Slicin’ Sand” while putting out a luau campfire. Those teenage girls are so energetic and really get into kicking sand around.
Live A Little, Love A Little — Of course, I know that Live A Little is a dumb movie, but long ago I decided it is so bad it’s cool. Michele Carey is a delight to watch, and the strange interaction between her and Elvis works for me. I also get a kick out of the surreal dream sequence where Elvis sings “Edge of Reality.” The talking dog in it is totally bizarre.
Kissin’ Cousins — This is a silly little movie, but it has its own charm. Yvonne Craig is one of my favorite Elvis co-stars. Here’s a trivia question for you. What actress was number eight in the credits but ended up with Elvis at the end of the movie? Check it out on your DVD case. And how about all “them darn Kitty Hawks” who live in a valley where no men have been born for twenty years. It takes a unique movie to have a clan of men-starved lovelies stage raids on mountain guys and Army soldiers. Finally, I always make sure my dog is in the room when Maw Tatum sings about missing beloved Pappy. Every time she sings the word Pappy, the family bloodhound moans loudly. It freaks my dog out.
The Ones I Didn’t Like:
Fun In Acapulco – Neither of the two leading ladies, Ursula Andress and Elsa Cardenas, do much for me.
Spinout – I like Shelly Fabares a lot, but she wasn’t enough to save this movie. It’s hard to believe that an Elvis movie could end without him getting the girl. He didn’t fall in love with any of three choices.
The Ones That Are So-So:
Paradise, Hawaiian Style – I haven’t watched this one very often over the years, and I had to miss it this time. I don’t have any feelings of regret about that because I just don’t remember that much about the movie. One thing I do remember is Elvis singing a song while piloting a helicopter full of dogs.
This Is Elvis — Unfortunately, this bio seems weaker with repetitive viewing. You start to pick out little factual errors and images that are out of sync with the storyline. Several better Elvis biographical movies have come out since this one.
Coming Up:
Saturday, May 18 — G.I. Blues:
Definitely going to watch this one. I especially like the funny faces Elvis makes in the scenes with the little babies.
Sunday, May 19 – Clambake:
I’ll be watching this one, too. More Shelly Fabares. Yum, yum.
© 2013 Philip R Arnold, Original Elvis Blogmeister All Rights Reserved www.ElvisBlog.net
Elvis, Elvis Presley, and Graceland are registered trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Source: http://www.elvisblog.net/2013/05/18/random-thoughts-on-encores-elvis-collection-part-5/
Random Thoughts on Encore’s Elvis Movies — Part 3
Tuesday, May 7 – Speedway:
When I sat down to write my random thoughts on this movie, my mind went blank. I couldn’t remember any long-established opinions about Speedway. I knew Nancy Sinatra was in it and looked good in her miniskirt and high white boots, but that was about it.
So, I read the plot summary in The Elvis Film Encyclopedia by Eric Brawn, and I realized Speedway had to be the Elvis movie I was least familiar with. In reflection, I guess I saw it once maybe twenty years ago. Needless to say, I’m excited to watch it now. The book said Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough make cameo appearances, so I will be on the lookout for them.
Wednesday, May 8 – Stay Away Joe:
I’ve got lots of opinions about this one, but they are mixed. I’m really turned off by the depiction of young native-American men was rowdy, heavy-drinking, skirt-chasing louts. There are people today trying to get the Washington Redskins’ name changed because it is offensive and demeaning to native-Americans. I guess these same people have never seen Stay Away Joe, or they would really be making a big stink.
On the other hand, Stay Away Joe is basically a good-hearted farce. It has fight scenes like all Elvis movies, but they are comical as opposed to the savagery in King Creole. Elvis looks particularly fit and handsome with his rugged color and western wardrobe.
I’m always tickled with the scene Elvis has with young hottie Quentin Dean and the one with her protective mother Joan Blondell. Unfortunately, it is sad to see a quality actor like Burgess Meredith in such a stupid role.
Elvis wakes up amoung beer cans after wild party
Anyway, I’m going to overlook the bad stuff and enjoy this silly movie.
Thursday, May 9 — Fun In Acapulco:
This is on okay movie, and I haven’t seen it in a while, so I’ll watch it. But of all Elvis’ leading ladies, Ursula Andress gave the most boring performance. I just can’t get a good vibe watching her sleepwalk through her lines.
One character I did like was the young shoe-shine boy who becomes Elvis’ de facto talent manager. He pulls off all kind of schemes and reminds me of a mini Col. Parker.
I never found the scene of Elvis climbing the rock wall up to the diving cliff very believable. Here’s a photo showing how they filmed it.
So, it looks like my plans for the next three nights are set. These three Elvis movies will set the stage for party time Friday night when they show the film I anticipate the most in this series: Live A Little, Love A Little. More on that next post.
© 2013 Philip R Arnold, Original Elvis Blogmeister All Rights Reserved www.ElvisBlog.net
Elvis, Elvis Presley, and Graceland are registered trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Source: http://www.elvisblog.net/2013/05/07/random-thoughts-of-encores-elvis-movies-part-3/
CATTLE CALL CCRIDER see SEE SEE RIDER CHANGE OF HABIT CHARRO
Friday, June 28, 2013
Random Thoughts on Encore’s Elvis Movies — Part 2
Did you enjoy Jailhouse Rock on Encore last night as much as I did? It was the fourth in a series called The Elvis Collection that gives us a commercial-free Elvis movie every night in May.
As I said in the last post, the plots are so well know after repeated viewings, that I try to find other things to look for to keep it interesting. So, I was happy to find a new one in Jailhouse Rock. It occurs after Elvis’ character Vince Everett signs a movie contract, and the scene is a celebratory party. There is a large man dancing with surprisingly nimble feet. It was Lamar Fike.
I knew Lamar travelled to Hollywood when he heard Elvis had swallowed a crown and was in the hospital. After it was extracted and Elvis recovered, Lamar stayed on with the rest of Elvis’ buddies already in town.
Elvis liked to get small movie cameos for his buddies, and Lamar is among the background people in several other scenes, in addition to his dancing at the party.
Sunday, May 5 – King Creole:
Okay, I’ve got to watch this one because it is unquestionably Elvis’ finest acting role. It’s not my favorite – a little too dark and violent – but I appreciate what Elvis accomplished.
It’s just too bad that Col. Parker and the producers never again gave Elvis a story of equal weight or a supporting cast of such talent. In addition to Walter Matthau, Dean Jagger, Delores Hart, and Vick Morrow, King Creole featured Carolyn Jones as Ronnie, the damaged-goods, kept woman of Maxie Fields, the hood nightclub owner played by Matthau.
Carolyn Jones plays the most sultry love interest in any Elvis movie, and she is the highlight of King Creole in my opinion. Every scene between her and Elvis bristles with tension and smoldering desire.
If there is a hotter scene than this in any other Elvis movie, I sure missed it.
There is one other female character in King Creole I like to watch. I called her the banana woman until I checked out the credits and her character’s name is Forty Nina. She was the stripper who headlined at the King Creole club before Elvis took over. Check out her outfit on the DVD cover above.
Considering that Forty Nina is only a bit character, she gets equal billing on this publicity photo.
AS I mentioned in the last post, I like to spot Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, and Bill Black in the early Elvis movies. They are in King Creole, but you could miss them if you don’t look closely. They are part of a seven-man band that backs Elvis at the King Creole club. The other four members are The Jordanaires. In addition to singing, they play (pretend to play) standard Dixieland instruments. That’s the late Gordon Stoker with the clarinet.
Notice Scotty Moore is playing a banjo, not a guitar in this shot
In spite of all the intense action in the film, Elvis manages to sing some great songs on the King Creole club stage: “Hard Headed Woman,” “Don’t Ask Me Why,” and the title song. However, my ears always perk up when he does the blues numbers “New Orleans,” and “Trouble,” his only song at Matthau’s Gilded Cage club.
If you would like to learn a whole bunch more about King Creole, I suggest you check out my friend Troy Yeary’s The Mystery train Elvis Blog. Troy has proclaimed King Creole as the Movie of the Quarter, and has already done two posts on March 2 and March 23. And he promises more to come.
Monday, May 6 – Girls, Girls, Girls:
I think I’ll skip this one. I watched Girls, Girls, Girls again back in December while preparing for the 50th Anniversary Movie Pictorial article.
As I said, I consider this one a pretty lame Elvis movie. In addition to a weak story, it has crummy songs, especially the two Elvis sang to the two little girls: “Earth Boy,” and “Dainty Little Moonbeams.” Of course, every critic panning the songs from Elvis’ movies always includes “Song of the Shrimp” as a classic example.
If I was going to watch Girl, Girls, Girls, the one thing I would look for is the dance sequence between Elvis and Laurel Goodwin to the song “The Walls Have Ears.”
This photo doesn’t show what’s interesting about the dance, but the 50th Anniversary pictorial does.
© 2013 Philip R Arnold, Original Elvis Blogmeister All Rights Reserved www.ElvisBlog.net
Elvis, Elvis Presley, and Graceland are registered trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Source: http://www.elvisblog.net/2013/05/05/random-thoughts-on-encores-elvis-movies-part-2/
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Can a Book Be Considered a Killer?
Did Elvis die because of a book? According to this interesting story, a book may very well have helped to kill Elvis Presley. You all know the book I am talking about. Elvis: What Happened was published just 2 weeks before Elvis died in 1977 and was an expose by Red and Sonny West as well as David Hebler, former bodyguards to the King who had been fired by Vernon Presley, Elvis’ father. The book was written in collaboration with Steve Dunleavy, a hard-drinking, controversial Australian reporter greatly favored by none other then Rupert Murdoch.
The West brothers tried to appease loyal Elvis friends and fans by saying their intention was to help Elvis by publicizing his drug dependency. But we all know that was a load of horse poop and the real reason they wrote the book was vengeance, plain and simple. It certainly wasn’t for money as this story makes it very clear that all the proceeds from this awful but bestselling book went back to the Murdoch’s news corporation, not the author(s).
Can a book be blamed for killing the King of Rock & Roll? No of course not. Elvis was on his way to his death bed long before these ingrates decided to write this horrible book. (I have never been able to bring myself to read this book, my opinion that it is horrible is based on what others have written about it.) In fact, it is my belief that it wasn’t a book that left Elvis feeling so empty and unfulfilled that he subconsciously felt had nothing left to live for but in fact, it was the loss of his mother Gladys that started him down that fateful road.
Elvis Presley and Rupert Murdoch: The King and Papa Paparazzi
Music journalist Chet Flippo, editorial director for the Country Music Television cable channel and its website, CMT.com, tells a fascinating story in his latest Nashville Skyline column about embattled publishing mogul Rupert Murdoch’s role in the waning days of Elvis Presley’s life.
Now that Murdoch and his News Corp. are embroiled in the cellphone hacking scandal that’s rocking the United Kingdom, Flippo revisits the period in the 1970s when the Australian media giant was lobbying to bring his gossip-mongering ways to the U.S. by acquiring two Texas newspapers — the San Antonio News and the San Antonio Express.
“He later combined both newspapers as the San Antonio Express-News, but early on, he instructed the News staff to turn the paper into a ‘screamer.’ And the paper soon did so. With a vengeance,” Flippo writes. “The staff began introducing Murdoch’s patented tabloid formula of sensationalism, sex, celebrities, crime and corruption. The facts be damned.”
Buy the Book At Amazon – Out of print but used copies are available.
Can a Book Be Considered a Killer? is a post from: The Elvis Presley Blog
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/myElvisPresleyBlog/~3/G-Ko_3QGyo8/can-a-book-be-considered-a-killer
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Conan O.Brien — A Genuine Elvis Fan
On May 31, Elvis.Com had a news item and link to Conan O’Brien interviewing Peter Guralnick. Well, I’ve got three of Guralnick’s Elvis books, and he knows more about Elvis than anybody, so this was something I wanted to watch.
However, once it got going, I was very impressed with the knowledge Conan exhibited and the quality of his statements and questions. For example, I was curious how Conan became an Elvis fan.
“When I was in college, and it’s the 80s, and I had sort-of come of age with 60s and 70s music. Elvis wasn’t a big interest of mine. And, then, I want to say, 1983, I listened for the first time to The Sun Sessions, Elvis’ earliest work that he did with Sam Phillips.”
“It blew my mind. It was like a drug. I couldn’t get enough. It made me go out and buy a guitar. It made me try and play that music. And, in a sense, I’ve never gotten past that music. I can’t get past early Elvis. I can’t get past Jerry Lee Lewis. I can’t get past Carl Perkins. I appreciate other music, but I’m always drawn back. It’s just this energy.”
Even better was Conan’s concern about Elvis putting up with all the crummy songs in the later movies:
“What I’ve always noticed about Elvis that bothers me to this day is there’s nobody more talented. There’s nobody who’s better looking. He’s a rare example of the complete package and he is at the right time. He’s got it all — and he’s passive. He doesn’t like the songs they give him in the movies, but he sings them. He doesn’t like the movies, but he does them. Why was he so passive? Why did he sing the song “Clambake?”… These songs are dreadful. And you think, he was Elvis Presley. Why couldn’t he stand up and say, ‘I’m not doing this! Get me Leiber/Stoller. Get me real songwriters. Let’s make a real soundtrack”
Conan makes a good point. With his stature, why didn’t Elvis insist on better movie songs? The answer to the question takes Guralnick some time to explain, and as you might imagine, it partly involves Col. Parker.
The most profound thing Conan said was about the unfair treatment Elvis and his fans sometime get these days:
”I listen to Elvis nearly every night on Sirrius. I love it. But, every once in a while, they’ll say, ‘Now we’re going to the Movie Soundtrack Show… I switch the channel. I can’t take it, because it’s Elvis digging a ditch. It’s not something he wants to be doing. He’s doing his best.”
“But, the artists like Elvis who survived into the 80s and 90s got a chance to work with real [bands]… They’re redeemed. They get to work with great producers. Johhny Cash had this whole resurgence. Roy Orbison gets a resurgence. They’re taken seriously. They are treated appropriately – as icons and heroes. And their work is refurbished… There’s always part of me that’s very sad that Elvis couldn’t have lived to see how great his work was. He was someone who was revered. To see that whole generation come out and play with him and support…. And let him know that his work meant something in the American tapestry, but he never got that chance.”
Conan got a little wobbly at the end of that quote, so some was edited out for clarity. However, Peter Guralnick agreed with Conan one this point, and so do I.
Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night (1988) – Think five guitars is enough? Who’s that guy on the left?
If Elvis had lived into his fifties, he may well have had an event like Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night, playing with a bunch of contemporary musicians. It would have changed the perspective of those Elvis detractors out there, and proved that you and I are right.
I highly recommend you watch the entire Conan O’Brien and Peter Guralnick interview by clicking here. It is seventy-two minutes of excellent Elvis information by two genuine, knowledgeable Elvis fans.
Next Week – Conan Sings Elvis
© 2013 Philip R Arnold, Original Elvis Blogmeister All Rights Reserved www.ElvisBlog.net
Elvis, Elvis Presley, and Graceland are registered trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Source: http://www.elvisblog.net/2013/06/09/conan-o-brien-a-genuine-elvis-fan/
AFTER LOVING YOU AIN T THAT LOVING YOU BABY ALL I NEEDED WAS THE RAIN ALL SHOOK UP
Monday, June 24, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
New Chain of Elvis Themed Diners
EPE (Elvis Presley Enterprises) has licensed the EAD International Group to open up a chain of Elvis Presley themed restaurants throughout Eastern and Central Europe.
Elvis hated restaurants according to everything I’ve read so I’m sure he’d be tickled pink about this deal. Then again, if there was money to be made, maybe he’d look beyond his distaste for greasy spoons.
New Chain of Elvis Themed Diners is a post from: The Elvis Presley Blog
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/myElvisPresleyBlog/~3/qhAnZF7oWig/new-chain-of-elvis-themed-diners
FOOL FOOL FOOL FOOL FOOLS FALL IN LOVE FOOLS RUSH IN WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD
50th Anniversary Movie Pictorial — It Happened at the World’s Fair, 1963
It Happened at the World’s Fair, Elvis’ twelfth film, opened nationally on April 10, 1963. By this time, Col. Parker and the producers had given up any pretense of putting Elvis into quality movies, and this one was a real stinkeroo, in my opinion. The plot was very thin, there was way too much of five-year-old Sue-Lin, and the songs were weak (especially the four Elvis sang to Sue-Lin). However, this is supposed to be a pictorial, not a review, so let’s look at some pictures.
Movie Posters:
Shots from the Movie:
The movie could have been a virtual advertisement for the Seattle World’s Fair, because it featured glamorous shots of nine different venues, including the Water Works Fountain in the Central Courtyard shown here. However, the film premiered several months after the fair closed.
Here we have Elvis and co-star Joan O’Brien in the famous Space Needle with its 360 degree rotation that provided stunning views. Actual filming was done on a set in Hollywood, and the floor didn’t rotate, just the section of windows behind them. Next time you watch the movie, note how the view never changes.
Elvis spent more time with Sue-Lin than he did with Joan O’Brien, and he sang more songs to the precocious child. However, the two songs he sang to O’Brien made her melt yieldingly into his arms.
Lobby Cards:
The One Scene I Can Watch Over and Over:
Early in the movie, there is a short scene that has nothing to do with the plot. Elvis shows up at the house where Yvonne Craig lives, and in no time they are doing this. Then, she decides things are getting too hot and pulls away. Elvis chases her all over the living room like a hound dog on the scent.
- Elvis the Hairdresser
Finally
Believe it or not, Elvis had time to sing a song during all that. It is said that Elvis dated Yvonne Craig during the filming of the movie. And, he must have liked her acting skills so much that he elevated her to co-star status a year later in Kissin’ Cousins.
Promotional Photos:
Elvis and two young girls who had about five seconds of film time in the scene depicted in the first lobby card – but they sure are pretty.
Elvis in his pilot outfit
In the movies, Elvis has sung on trains, trucks, cars, helicopters, and boats. Why not a rickshaw?
Foreign Posters:
French Poster
Italian Poster
Note what they feature on the Italian poster — Elvis in three fight scenes and putting the make on the girl who is not his co-star.
Behind the Scenes Shots:
Elvis the Hairdresser
Poker game. Gary Lockwood, Joan O’Brien, and cousin Billy Smith join in.
Kissing the Co-Star:
Kiss in Space Needle
This is about mid-way through the movie before Elvis messes up and she gets all mad at him.
Kissing at end of movie – after he wins her back.
.
.
© 2013 Philip R Arnold, Original Elvis Blogmeister All Rights Reserved www.ElvisBlog.net
Elvis, Elvis Presley, and Graceland are registered trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Source: http://www.elvisblog.net/2013/04/22/50th-anniversary-movie-it-happened-at-the-worlds-fair-1963/
CRAWFISH CRAZY ARMS CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO DIE CRYING IN THE CHAPEL
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