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ELVIS THRU THE YEARS - The Most Complete Collection Of Elvis Presley Archival Footage - Documentary
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00:00:06You know, less than two years ago you were earning $14 a week as a movie usher and then
00:00:11$35 a week for driving a truck in Memphis. Today you're the most controversial name in show business.
00:00:16Do you think you've learned anything from the criticism level that you?
00:00:19No, I haven't.
00:00:34On your personal appearance, did you create a sort of mass hysteria amongst your audiences
00:00:38of teenagers? Is your shaking and quaking in the nature of an involuntary response to this hysteria?
00:00:44Would you say that again, sir?
00:01:00Well, what about the rumor that you once shot your mother?
00:01:20Well, there's another one, too, you may not have heard before. Several newspaper stories hinted
00:01:24that you smoked marijuana to hit the bottle in order to work yourself into a frenzy while singing.
00:01:28What about that?
00:01:29I don't know.
00:01:31First of all, I plead innocent of all charges.
00:01:46306 Elvis Presley Drive, East Tupelo, Mississippi, was officially designated an historical site
00:01:52in 1978. But in 1934, the address was 306 Old Saltilio Road, and it was the home of Vernon and
00:02:01Gladys Presley.
00:02:02The couple had married on June 17, 1933. After first living with in-laws, Vernon and his father built a
00:02:09two-room house with $180 worth of lumber.
00:02:12On January 8, 1935, Gladys gave birth to identical twins who were given the names of Elvis Aaron and Jessie
00:02:20Garon Presley.
00:02:21Elvis was born first, and minutes later, Jessie was delivered stillborn.
00:02:26The following day, Jessie was buried in an unmarked grave at the Princeville Cemetery in Tupelo.
00:02:31The world that young Elvis was born into would forever shape his life. For most, the Deep South was a
00:02:38place of hardscrabble existence. Work days were long and hard. It was a world of segregation, blacks and whites rarely
00:02:45mixed. Yet for the poorest of both groups, religion and gospel music played a dominant role in their lives. For
00:02:52young Elvis, the music would become a pathway to legend.
00:02:56By the age of two, Elvis was exposed to music at the First Assembly of God Church, located just a
00:03:02block from his home.
00:03:03The Presley family also enjoyed attending religious revivals and tent meetings. Later, Presley would remember how impressed he was at
00:03:11the preachers who would jump all over the stage and how the audience reacted to them.
00:03:15On October 5, 1945, Elvis won second prize in a talent contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show.
00:03:23The contest was broadcast over the radio by station WELO, and reportedly, Vernon Presley, who was driving a truck at
00:03:32the time, heard his son on the air and cried with joy and pride.
00:03:36When Elvis was 13, his mother bought him his first guitar. She had saved for months to afford the $12
00:03:42.95.
00:03:43The 12-year-old Elvis sat by the family radio, learning how to play his new instrument. The music of
00:03:49country stars like Roy Acuff and Ernest Tubb and black singers like B.B. King all helped to form Elvis'
00:03:55musical tastes.
00:03:56In September of 1948, the Presley family packed up all their belongings in the family car and moved to Memphis.
00:04:03Elvis' first home in Memphis was in a one-room apartment at 572 Poplar Avenue.
00:04:09Elvis was enrolled in Humes High School. He was shy and nervous and slow to make new friends.
00:04:14The family struggled to make ends meet and qualified for public assistance, including an apartment in a federally funded housing
00:04:21project.
00:04:22To help out his family, young Elvis had a series of part-time jobs, including working as an usher at
00:04:28the Lowe's State Movie Theater.
00:04:30Slowly, a change was coming over Presley. He began buying flashy clothes at Lansky's on Beale Street, a favorite of
00:04:37country singers and local black kids.
00:04:39He changed his hairstyle from the popular crew cut of the time to wearing it long, slick-backed with sideburns.
00:04:45He loved movies, and it has been reported he idolized Tony Curtis.
00:04:50Although he enjoyed dressing like a rebel, he was also a member of ROTC in his senior year of high
00:04:55school.
00:04:56His interest in music continued, but his shyness kept him from performing in public,
00:05:00although he did enter and win a talent contest in his senior year.
00:05:05In June of 1953, Elvis graduated high school.
00:05:09Later, he got a job driving a truck, similar to this one, for the Crown Electric Company, taking parts and
00:05:15equipment to various job sites.
00:05:17His take-home pay was $35 per week.
00:05:21In the summer of 1953, Presley decided to make a record as a present to his mother.
00:05:27He knew that Sun Records, a small recording studio and record label, also allowed people to make inexpensive demo records.
00:05:34Presley recorded two songs, My Happiness and That's When Your Heartaches Begin.
00:05:38In January of 1954, Elvis returned to Sun to make a demo record.
00:05:44This time, the studio's owner, Sam Phillips, was there and took an interest in Presley.
00:05:50Phillips put Presley together with local musicians Bill Black and Scotty Moore, and they began to play together.
00:05:55On July 5, 1954, at Sun Records, the trio recorded That's Alright Mama and Blue Moon of Kentucky as the
00:06:04two sides of Presley's first professional record.
00:06:07At 9.30 p.m., and just one day after the record was completed, Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips played
00:06:13That's Alright Mama on his radio program.
00:06:16The reaction was immediate. Hundreds of phone calls came flooding into the station.
00:06:20Later that evening, Elvis came to the station and was interviewed by Phillips.
00:06:25Within the next couple of days, Sun had thousands of orders for the record.
00:06:29On July 12, 1954, Elvis signed a one-year management agreement with Scotty Moore.
00:06:35As record sales mounted and more fans got to see Elvis perform, his bookings increased and he began to appear
00:06:41in packaged shows with people like Hank Snow.
00:06:44But not everyone was impressed with his brash performing style.
00:06:48Elvis made his first and only appearance on the venerated Grand Ole Opry radio show on October 2, 1954.
00:06:56After the show, the program's talent coordinator suggested that Elvis think about going back to truck driving.
00:07:02But screaming fans and zooming record sales were telling a different story.
00:07:06At each appearance, the crowds got larger and the press coverage more frantic.
00:07:11Presley's gyrations and gritty R&B sound were something completely new.
00:07:15In a blink of an eye, Elvis had become the hottest act in the South.
00:07:20On October 2, 1954, Elvis made his first appearance on the Louisiana Hayride radio show.
00:07:27He was signed as a regular and would make over 50 appearances on the program.
00:07:31While appearing on the program, Elvis met drummer DJ Fontana.
00:07:36Fontana played drums for Elvis on and off from 1956 to 1968.
00:07:41As 1955 began, Bob Neal, a local disc jockey and concert promoter, took over Elvis' management.
00:07:48Although Elvis was enjoying success, he was still very much of a regional phenomenon.
00:07:53In early 1955, Elvis came to the attention of Colonel Tom Parker, who was then managing country singer Eddie Arnold.
00:08:00Parker was actually born in Holland and immigrated illegally to the United States in 1929.
00:08:07After serving in the U.S. Army, he began his career by hawking carnivals and later founded the great Parker
00:08:12Pony Circus.
00:08:14In February of 1955, Parker began assisting Bob Neal in booking Elvis.
00:08:20In March of 1955, Elvis, along with Bill Black and Scotty Moore, flew to New York to audition for Arthur
00:08:26Godfrey's Talent Scouts, a popular TV showcase for new talent.
00:08:30The act was turned down flat.
00:08:32The rejection may have had more to do with Elvis' image than his singing.
00:08:36At about this time, films were depicting teenagers wearing slick back hair and suggestive clothes as juvenile delinquents and troublemakers.
00:08:43They included The Blackboard Jungle, The Wild One, and Rebel Without a Cause.
00:08:52You know what kind of drunken brawls those parties turn into?
00:08:56It's no place for kids.
00:08:58A minute ago, you said you didn't care if he drinks.
00:09:00He said a little drink.
00:09:02You're tearing me apart!
00:09:06As for Presley, even when he would sing an innocent country song, he projected a raw sensuality that made adults
00:09:13very uneasy.
00:09:14It's interesting to note, at just about the same time Presley was turned down on the Talent Scouts show, Pat
00:09:20Boone appeared on the program and won first place.
00:09:23But Elvis did make it to TV, just a few days later when he appeared in a regionally telecast Louisiana
00:09:29Hayride show.
00:09:31More concerts followed and the crowds, along with the frenzy, seemed to increase with each appearance.
00:09:36Finally, things were also improving for the Presleys and the family moved to a new home on Getwell Street in
00:09:42Memphis.
00:09:42In October of 1955, Presley appeared in a film documentary about Cleveland disc jockey Bill Randall, who was one of
00:09:50the first disc jockeys to play an Elvis record outside the South.
00:09:54Also performing in the film were Bill Haley, The Four Lads, and Pat Boone.
00:09:59The film was titled The Pied Piper of Cleveland.
00:10:02However, due to a dispute over legal ownership, the film was never released.
00:10:07By now, Colonel Tom Parker was taking a more active role in Elvis' career.
00:10:11He began negotiating with different record companies who wanted to buy out Elvis' contract with Sun Records.
00:10:18RCA was the high bidder and on November 20, 1955, purchased Elvis' contract for $25,000.
00:10:25In addition, Presley received a $5,000 signing bonus.
00:10:29RCA quickly re-released all of Elvis' previous Sun Records and then began to record new records with him.
00:10:35Elvis' first RCA recording session took place in Nashville in January of 1956.
00:10:41The songs included I Got a Woman and Heartbreak Hotel.
00:10:46Less than a year after he was turned down by Arthur Godfrey, Presley was on his way back to New
00:10:51York and his first national television appearance.
00:10:53The program was Stage Show, hosted by band leaders Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey.
00:10:58It was produced by Jackie Gleason and it first was used for a summer replacement for Gleason's own show.
00:11:04In 1955, Gleason brought back the show as a half-hour lead-in to his own Saturday night show, The
00:11:10Honeymooners.
00:11:11The program was having ratings problems and it may have been the show's announcer, disc jockey Bill Randall, who first
00:11:17suggested booking Presley.
00:11:19Reactions to Presley's appearance were immediate and decidedly mixed.
00:11:23The CBS switchboard was flooded with cause, some demanding more and others outraged at its vulgar display.
00:11:29Now, controversy swirled around Presley as larger crowds and screaming fans clamored to see him at every concert.
00:11:36Meanwhile, worried parents read lurid stories of Presley's sexual escapades.
00:11:41For Colonel Tom Parker, it all made for an unbeatable combination.
00:11:56It didn't take long for Hollywood to notice Presley.
00:11:59Paramount producer Hal Wallace had Elvis make various screen tests.
00:12:02One of the films Elvis tested for was The Rainmaker.
00:12:05He didn't get the role, but producer Wallace liked what he saw.
00:12:20The following program is being brought to you in living color on NBC.
00:12:26Ah, thank you, thank you.
00:12:28On April 3rd, 1956, Elvis made his first appearance on the Milton Berle television show.
00:12:33By now, the Milton Berle show was being broadcast in color.
00:12:37However, most of Berle's shows only survive in black and white.
00:12:41Broadcast from the deck of the USS Hancock, the showbiz wise Uncle Miltie was eager to jump on the Presley
00:12:47bandwagon.
00:12:48In turn, Elvis got to be seen by over 40 million people.
00:12:52And now, you guys and gals, all your wives and sweethearts, you're in for a real treat.
00:12:58This is the first time that the Hancock is going to rock and roll while still at anchor.
00:13:05Here's a young man who in a few short months has gained tremendous popularity in the music business.
00:13:10His records are really going like wildfire.
00:13:13He's America's new singing sensation, our new RCA recording artist.
00:13:18Here he is, a big reception for Elvis Presley.
00:13:34Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, and now I got a little surprise for you.
00:13:37Here for his very first public appearance, I'd like you to meet my twin brother, Melvin Presley.
00:13:45Berle probably had no idea that Elvis had actually lost a twin brother,
00:13:49and Presley was anxious to please Mr. Television and never brought up the painful reality.
00:14:08Hello, friends of Radioland.
00:14:13Radioland.
00:14:14This is television, Milton.
00:14:16Melvin?
00:14:16Milton or Melvin?
00:14:17Melvin.
00:14:19Must have another brother, too.
00:14:23Television?
00:14:24What the heck is that?
00:14:25Well, it's a little box.
00:14:27Yeah.
00:14:27It's got a window in it.
00:14:28Yeah.
00:14:28Millions of people out there.
00:14:30They're looking in a little window.
00:14:31Yeah.
00:14:32They can see you, but you can't see them.
00:14:35A lot of dirty peeping Toms.
00:14:39But, Elvin, you're wonderful.
00:14:42And keep buying them records, will you, folks?
00:14:45Mel, who's it?
00:14:47Elvis.
00:14:51Elvis.
00:14:52Oh.
00:14:54Hot dogs.
00:14:56Elvis needs the money.
00:14:58Well, I'll tell you, you're sure mighty proud to be here on this ship here, the Ushankoke.
00:15:03And I want you to know the Ushankoke.
00:15:06Ushankoke?
00:15:07That's what it says on the side of the boat.
00:15:09U-S-S-H-A-N-C-O-C-K.
00:15:11Ushankoke.
00:15:14What's the matter?
00:15:14I know how to spell.
00:15:16That's U-S-S Hancock, Melvin.
00:15:22Keep buying them records.
00:15:25I'm real proud of you, Elvis.
00:15:28Well, Melvin, I owe it all to you.
00:15:30You owe everything to me.
00:15:32You taught me everything I know.
00:15:34Yeah, I'm glad you told that to the folks I did.
00:15:37I taught him his singing style.
00:15:40I used to drop grasshoppers down his pants.
00:15:44That's how I keep jumping around.
00:15:47Grasshopper.
00:15:49Keep buying them records.
00:15:52Do that for us.
00:15:54What are we going to do now?
00:15:55Well, let's sing a song.
00:15:57Let's sing a song together.
00:15:58Do the blue suede shoes.
00:16:00Half sole.
00:16:01Here we go, one more.
00:16:02Take it away.
00:16:03Well, it's one for the money.
00:16:05Two for the show.
00:16:07Three for you.
00:16:08And I go, yeah.
00:16:24Elvis' acting ability with Milton Berle must have made an impression over at Paramount,
00:16:29because just three days later, Elvis signed a three-movie contract with Paramount with a starting salary of $100,000.
00:16:38Colonel Parker put his Elvis plan into high gear.
00:16:41He booked Presley for a four-week engagement at the New Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas beginning April 23, 1956.
00:16:48Billed as the atomic-powered singer, Presley was paid $12,500 per week.
00:16:54But the one thing that usually shrewd Tom Parker hadn't figured on was that Vegas crowds were older.
00:17:00Elvis' repertoire of rock and roll got a cool reception from the middle-aged crowd, and after two weeks, the
00:17:05engagement was canceled.
00:17:06During his stay in Las Vegas, Presley visited Liberace, who was playing at the Riviera.
00:17:11The two musical heartthrobs posed for pictures that were quickly flashed around the world.
00:17:16However, the Vegas setback was quickly forgotten, especially when the Presleys moved into their new home on Audubon Street.
00:17:23On June 5, 1956, Elvis made his second appearance on the Milton Berle Show.
00:17:29Considered one of Presley's wildest television appearances,
00:17:32his unrestrained antics jarred many critics who called him lewd and obscene,
00:17:37while his fans, especially young girls, swooned with delight.
00:17:40How about my boy? How about him, huh? Come on.
00:17:44How about him? How about him? How about him?
00:17:47How about him? How about him? How about him?
00:17:48How about him? How about him? How about him? How about him?
00:17:52How about him? How about .
00:17:52I don't know what you're screaming about. I want it. The way they're flipping their lids. These girls down here,
00:17:56right?
00:17:57I don't know. I like...
00:18:00I want to tell you. That the beat with your foot is absolutely sensational.
00:18:03I want to ask you something. Elvis, if I did that thing the same way you did it.
00:18:08Do you think I could get all the girls?
00:18:10Well, I might not hit the לפ to get girls, but it's your age to keep your blood circulating.
00:18:19my age make it feel like a used car
00:18:26I can't wait and make me dragging but my battery is still charging I want it what do
00:18:39you do with your hair with Tony do you use it Tom no plugs how can I get these
00:18:47girls to scream over me this way I really mean that how can I do that mr. Burrow
00:18:51I don't think you'd like it I wouldn't like one what do you mean no I mean I
00:18:57don't like it all these girls screaming always turn your clothes off always no
00:19:03rip your part always kind of kiss you don't someone must have stomped on his
00:19:10head with those blue suede shoes you must be kidding you don't like it no I'm not
00:19:16I'll tell you I'd rather have a quiet type of girl someone wants to date someone
00:19:20it'll calm it down and relax me you know you don't want a girl you want a mill
00:19:29town really mr. Burrow yeah I'll tell you the type I dig is someone like that
00:19:34Debra pageant can't he I'm next to you but I can't hear somebody like Debra
00:19:44Pat like Debra Pat you like that's not no look man she's real gone I know she's
00:19:48real gone but look there's the Debra Padgett Elvis she's not in your league you
00:19:51know what I mean I'll prove it to you she's not too sophisticated for you Debra
00:19:55Debra would you come out here please
00:20:02Debra Debra Debra Padgett I want you to meet Elvis Presley
00:20:15well how do you feel now man cool man how do you like that she kissed him and he feels
00:20:21cool
00:20:31now just wait a minute please now I know that Elvis is going to be here and you'll want his
00:20:34autographs and everything and he's a very nice guy and very gladly but I don't want
00:20:37any of this rough stuff you understand you really know Elvis Presley are you kidding do I know Elvis
00:20:41Presley I remember when he was a kid and he used to sing on a farm was he good then
00:20:45are you kidding he
00:20:46he used to make the pig squeal I know you get them you understand you'll get the whole thing everybody
00:21:03I'll stand in line and I was a young man you want an autograph will you stand in the back
00:21:10there I don't
00:21:11care who you are everybody want I'm I'm Elvis Presley you're Elvis you're kidding I know Elvis
00:21:17Presley better than I know the A&P gypsies are you kidding you do I I know Elvis Presley six
00:21:23feet
00:21:24tall big shoulders he's got lovely hair and he's got blue eyes and Elvis Presley
00:21:53give me the good old Rudy Valley day incidentally ladies gentlemen I don't think that I'm revealing
00:21:59any secrets when I say when I say that that Elvis Presley is the fastest rising young singer in the
00:22:05entertainment industry today and as a proof of this Elvis I would like to present this to you
00:22:10it's a special well it's a great award from one of the great theatrical periodicals of all times the
00:22:17billboard in back east and all over the country they present you this I'd like to read it for you
00:22:25eight years with these lights the triple crown award presented to Elvis Presley for his RCA
00:22:32victory recording of Heartbreak Hotel there it is ladies and gentlemen let's hear it
00:22:41you deserve this award Elvis and good luck
00:22:45on June 20th 1956 Elvis appeared on dance party hosted by Wink Martindale
00:22:51I believe the proceeds from this show go to the Cynthia Milk Fund is that right Elvis?
00:22:54yes sir that's right and uh I'd like to say it uh that uh uh let's see what I'd like
00:23:02to say I'd like to say that we have a diamond ring that we're gonna have as a door prize
00:23:08uh-huh it's my initial ring I've had it for some time and it has 14 diamonds in it and
00:23:15uh we're gonna give it away at the door as a door prize
00:23:18I see and all the all the proceeds from this particular show this is July 4th at
00:23:23Rustwood Park Elvis is going to be there he's going to sing and play his band will be there
00:23:26many other stars will be there too and we will certainly want you to watch Bob
00:23:30Johnson's column in the Memphis press cemetery watch all the publicity on it and
00:23:33get your tickets in advance Elvis Presley I want to thank you again because we know
00:23:38you're a busy man and thanks a lot for coming by and seeing us at the dance party and saying
00:23:41hello to all your friends here in Memphis in the Mid-South anytime you're in town and want to
00:23:44come by we certainly will welcome you I think I have on something tonight that's not quite correct
00:23:52for evening wear not quite formal what's that Elvis blue-slaved shoes oh yeah on July 1st 1956
00:24:00Elvis was scheduled to appear on another NBC program originally broadcast in color the Steve Allen show
00:24:06Elvis's previous television appearances especially on the last Milton Berle show had created so much
00:24:12controversy that Allen tried to tone down Presley by having him wear a tuxedo after appearing on the
00:24:19Steve Allen show Presley went back to his hotel room and later at 11 30 p.m. did a split
00:24:24-screen
00:24:24interview on the High Gardener TV show hi I have Elvis Presley on the phone hello hello Elvis just one
00:24:32moment hello Elvis hello did you have fun tonight on the Steve Allen show yes sir I really did I
00:24:37really enjoyed it first time you ever worked in tux or tails it's the first time I ever had one
00:24:41on period you mean you've got as they say four Cadillacs but no tuxedos no tuxedo I use it around
00:24:48the Cadillacs and blue jeans that's very interesting particularly when a cop stops you and wants to know if you
00:24:53own the car
00:24:53that's right that's right you have to show them all your ownership papers and everything you know less than two
00:24:58years ago you were earning $14 a week as a movie usher and then $35 a week for driving a
00:25:03truck in Memphis today you're the most controversial name in show business I want to give you an opportunity here
00:25:10to go over a lot of the rumors that have been printed about you including a few that I printed
00:25:13myself because some of these things can't be checked and some can't and I think that we ought to sort
00:25:18of fix up the record
00:25:19now your style of gyrating while you sing has been fiddly criticized even by usually mild and gentle TV critics
00:25:26like like Ben Gross now do you bear any animosity towards these critics
00:25:30well not really those people have a job to do and they they do it and do you think you've
00:25:36learned anything from the criticism level that you know I haven't you haven't because I don't I don't feel I'm
00:25:41doing anything wrong
00:25:42two or three columns this week the carried items that you had bought four Cadillacs now what is better than
00:25:48that Elvis
00:25:52it's the truth I do have I do have four Cadillacs what do you do with four Cadillacs well I
00:25:57don't know on your personal appearance that you create a sort of mass hysteria amongst your audiences of teenagers is
00:26:07you're shaking and quaking in the nature of an involuntary response to this hysteria
00:26:12would you say that again sir well I say that when you shake and you quake when you sing is
00:26:16that the sort of an involuntary response
00:26:18to the hysteria of your audience involuntary yeah well I'm aware of everything I do at all times but it's
00:26:27just the way I feel I mean for example if somebody is playing ball they play just a little bit
00:26:33harder when the fans root and I was wondering whether this had anything
00:26:36oh sure
00:26:39well I guess any artist if the audience acts like they're enjoying it if they act like they're with you
00:26:45well it makes you put more into it you know
00:26:46do you think that your rocking and rolling has had an evil influence on teenagers
00:26:50I don't think it is uh juvenile delinquency is something that's uh it's uh well it just I don't know
00:26:58how to explain it but I don't see how music would have anything to do with it at all
00:27:01uh what about the rumor that you once shot your mother
00:27:07well I think that one takes the case I mean
00:27:12that's that's about the funniest one I've ever heard
00:27:14where'd that one come from have you any idea
00:27:15I have no idea I can't imagine when you mention it to me it's the first time I've ever heard
00:27:20it
00:27:20is that right
00:27:21first time I've ever heard it
00:27:22well there's another one too you may not have heard before
00:27:24several newspaper stories hinted that you smoked uh marijuana to hit the bottle in order to work yourself into a
00:27:29frenzy while singing what about that
00:27:31I don't know
00:27:32would you prefer to be an actor than to be a singing entertainer
00:27:36uh if I were a good actor
00:27:38of course I'm not a good singer but uh if I were a good actor I think that I would
00:27:43like it a little better
00:27:45although uh if I ever break into the acting uh completely I'll still continue uh my singing I'll still continue
00:27:54making records
00:27:55on July 2nd 1956 Elvis recorded Hound Dog Don't Be Cruel and Any Way You Want Me at RCA's New
00:28:02York Studios
00:28:02this was the first recording session in which the Jordanaires acted as his backup singers
00:28:08Presley first met the group in early 1954
00:28:11at that time Presley reportedly said
00:28:14if I ever make a record I want to use you guys singing background for me
00:28:41as soon as Presley was out of the recording studio Colonel Parker had him on the road
00:28:46using the publicity generated from his recent television appearances
00:28:50Presley was booked into stadiums and theaters all over the south
00:28:54like this appearance scheduled for August 7th in St. Petersburg, Florida
00:28:59later in August Elvis began filming his first feature for Paramount
00:29:03Love Me Tender
00:29:04by now Elvis had bought his mother a pink Cadillac
00:29:08it was only one of many luxury cars Elvis bought for himself, his family and his lucky friends
00:29:13he was especially fond of Lincolns and Cadillacs
00:29:16on September 9th 1956 Elvis made the first of three appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show
00:29:22although Sullivan was very concerned about his show's family image
00:29:27he couldn't help ignore Presley's celebrity status
00:29:30or the big ratings Elvis had given his TV rival Steve Allen
00:29:33Sullivan signed Presley for three appearances for $50,000
00:29:40September 26th 1956 was declared Elvis Presley Day in Tupelo, Mississippi
00:29:45Elvis returned to his hometown and gave a concert to wildly adoring fans
00:29:49the shy young boy who left Tupelo was back as a national sensation
00:29:54riding the record charts with four number one hits
00:29:58of course fame can have its pitfalls on October 18th 1956
00:30:03Elvis stopped at a gas station in Memphis
00:30:05a crowd quickly gathered
00:30:07Ed Hopper, the station manager
00:30:09demanded that Elvis move and hit Presley on the back of the head
00:30:12a fight broke out between Hopper and Presley
00:30:15and attendant Aubrey Brown also joined in
00:30:18the two men brought charges against Presley
00:30:20and all three appeared in a Memphis courthouse
00:30:22Presley was cleared of all charges and both men were fired from their jobs
00:30:27Presley had won both the physical and the legal fights
00:30:30but he did pay a price the publicity underscored his unsavory image in many adult minds
00:30:36but it also heightened the excitement for his next Ed Sullivan show appearance
00:30:40just 10 days after the gas station incident
00:30:43Elvis mania was in high gear on November 15th 1956 in New York
00:30:48for the premiere of Love Me Tender
00:30:50Broadway hadn't seen anything like it since Bobby Soxers had jammed the streets
00:30:54waiting to see Frank Sinatra over a decade earlier
00:30:57for Elvis' movie opening, 35 extra policemen and 20 extra ushers
00:31:02were needed to hold back the crowd
00:31:04which had been forming since 8 in the morning
00:31:07a giant 50 foot tall cardboard picture of Elvis was unveiled
00:31:10and the fans rushed in to see their idol on the silver screen
00:31:23the sensational adventure of the notorious Reno brother
00:31:27Elvis Presley as Clint Reno
00:31:29who loved his brother but also loved his brother's girl
00:31:33I know you and Kathy used to be kind of fond of each other
00:31:37but
00:31:39you ain't got no hard feelings against either one of us now, have you?
00:31:43Hard feelings? Me?
00:31:45Why, of course not
00:31:47I hoped it'd be that way, Vance
00:31:49We're so much in love
00:31:50Say you ain't laid awake every night by my side thinking of him
00:31:53wishing I was Vance
00:31:55wishing you'd waited for him and never married me
00:32:07Once again, the critics lashed out at Presley's performance
00:32:10Their reviews blasted Elvis' acting
00:32:13but they totally missed the point
00:32:15Presley's fans were thrilled just to see him 20 feet tall on a movie screen
00:32:19Each new Presley appearance quickly sold out
00:32:22like this one at the Louisville, Kentucky Armory on November 25, 1956
00:32:28Parking lots would fill the capacity and thousands of fans would mob the theater
00:32:50But, I mean, he's, he's huge
00:32:53Well, you know, he's just so limber and loose, I mean, it's really marvelous
00:32:58But, I mean, he's just so limber and loose, I mean, it's really marvelous
00:33:02No
00:33:04Like, just like snapping your fingers or clapping your hands
00:33:07If you dig the music, you dig the music
00:33:10Most adults saw things differently
00:33:12Elvis and rock and roll represented a threat to their way of life
00:33:16But this rock and roll rhythm has been the seed of trouble
00:33:19And we want to keep trouble out of Jersey City
00:33:22Rock and roll has got to go
00:33:24Some radio stations even refuse to play rock and roll music
00:33:29This week is record-breaking week here at KWK
00:33:32And after this week, no more rock and roll will be played on the air
00:33:35In the middle of this heated atmosphere
00:33:38Presley was scheduled for his third appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show
00:33:41On January 6, 1957
00:33:44Ed Sullivan had become more sensitive to the controversy over Elvis' swinging hips
00:33:48And ordered the cameraman to shoot Presley only from the waist up
00:33:52The TV audience was left to guess why the girls in the audience were screaming
00:33:55After the program, Sullivan called a press conference to defend his actions
00:34:00His attempt to censor Presley had backfired
00:34:02And only helped fuel the mania that surrounded his every appearance
00:34:06And those appearances got bigger and bigger
00:34:09Like the thousands of fans who jammed the Chicago Amphitheater in March of 1957
00:34:13Presley appeared in his now-legendary gold lame tuxedo
00:34:18Designed by nudies of Hollywood at Colonel Parker's request
00:34:21The costume became immortalized when Elvis wore it on the cover of a 1959 album
00:34:26In March of 1957, Elvis purchased Graceland for $102,500
00:34:32By now, Colonel Parker had the Presley money machine in high gear
00:34:36Elvis' concert fees kept rising
00:34:39One hit record followed another
00:34:41And the Colonel and RCA began marketing and licensing Elvis products
00:34:44Each new item brought more and more money and fame to the growing Elvis empire
00:34:50Elvis' next film, Loving You, premiered in Memphis on July 9, 1957
00:35:01Loving You, the first big modern musical built around the fiery personality of Elvis Presley
00:35:06Follow him through the barnstorming days
00:35:08And the one-night stands
00:35:09The big moment when the girls discovered him
00:35:12And he discovered girls
00:35:14See what happens when a down-to-earth kid goes too high too fast
00:35:18It's not my future you care about, it's yours
00:35:20It's what I can do for you
00:35:22You don't care about me or Tex or anybody
00:35:24Just yourself
00:35:25You've got 15 minutes to get on that stage
00:35:29And find out if you've even got a future
00:35:39Colonel Parker kept Elvis busy
00:35:40When he wasn't recording or making a movie
00:35:42He was playing concert dates
00:35:44Typically, thousands of fans would turn out
00:35:46And anxiously await Presley's arrival
00:35:49In September of 1957
00:35:51Elvis tried to arrive quietly in Portland, Oregon
00:35:54For two concerts
00:35:55But a local reporter caught up with him
00:35:57Elvis Presley, how are you?
00:35:58Hi, sir, how are you?
00:35:59I'm Aaron Smith, representing ABC with KTW-TV
00:36:02I'd like to welcome you to Portland
00:36:03Thank you very much
00:36:04And what is your concert tonight?
00:36:07How long a duration will it be?
00:36:08The entire show will be about two and a half hours
00:36:11I think I'm on for about 40 minutes
00:36:14What songs are you going to hit?
00:36:15Well, I'll do practically all of my songs
00:36:20Which song do you think is the biggest right now?
00:36:22Don't Be Cruel
00:36:23How about Teddy Bear?
00:36:24How's it doing?
00:36:24It's about two million now
00:36:26We have a bunch of teenagers up the other side of the studio
00:36:29Waiting to see you
00:36:30And as you can see, in spite of all the secrecy
00:36:32And this little devious plan
00:36:33That a lot of us leaked out
00:36:35It always does
00:36:38I don't mind it
00:36:39In fact, if you come into a place
00:36:42There's nobody there to meet
00:36:43Till you start wondering, you know
00:36:44On October 17, 1957
00:36:47Elvis' third feature, Jailhouse Rock, premiered
00:36:50As an indication of Elvis' growing muscle at the movie studio
00:36:53The MGM commissary accommodated Elvis' taste in food
00:36:57By adding crisp bacon, mashed potatoes
00:36:59And dark brown gravy to their menu
00:37:01During filming of Jailhouse Rock
00:37:03Vince Everett, dynamically portrayed by Elvis Presley
00:37:07Was a tough, blackboard, jungle kid
00:37:09Jailhouse Rock is also the love story of this rebel
00:37:12How dare you think such cheap tactics would work with me
00:37:20I need tactics, honey
00:37:23It's just a beast in me
00:37:24The fires of violence still raged in Vince
00:37:28As he fought his way to fame and fortune
00:37:30In the exciting world of popular music
00:37:33And then came Hollywood
00:37:38Oh, Vince, let's try it again
00:37:41Vince!
00:37:44How do you like our movie star, Peggy?
00:37:46He has adapted very quickly
00:37:48Well, there's not much oxygen up where he is
00:37:50And the man gets lightheaded
00:37:52There comes a time when you gotta take a hand in things
00:37:54And that time is now
00:37:55Don't push me
00:37:56I'm gonna beat hell out of you
00:37:58Don't try, you're talking crazy, man
00:38:00You know you got it coming, son
00:38:02I said don't try
00:38:04A sad footnote
00:38:06Judy Tyler, who co-starred with Elvis in Jailhouse Rock
00:38:09Got her start playing Princess Summerfall, Winter Spring
00:38:12On the popular Howdy Doody television program
00:38:15Jailhouse Rock was just her second film and her last
00:38:18Tyler and her husband of just four months
00:38:20Were killed in a car accident in July of 1957
00:38:24In January of 1958
00:38:26Elvis began production of King Creole
00:38:28But a month earlier, Milton Bowers, Memphis Draft Board President
00:38:32Had hand-delivered Elvis' draft notice to Graceland
00:38:36In March of 1958, RCA released Elvis' Golden Hits Volume 1
00:38:41The first of a long line of hit collections
00:38:43The album remained on Billboard's album charts for 50 straight weeks
00:38:47Elvis' actual induction came on March 24, 1958
00:38:51No soldier was ever drafted into the Army
00:38:54With the fanfare and publicity that surrounded Presley's
00:38:57Fifty-five photographers and cameramen converged at the Memphis Draft Board
00:39:02When Elvis, accompanied by his parents, arrived for his induction
00:39:06After receiving some initial instructions and filling out forms
00:39:09Elvis practiced taking his oath
00:39:12That's your other right, Elvis
00:39:14Next up was Presley's pre-induction physical
00:39:17And the cameras couldn't wait to get some shots of America's heartthrob taking off his clothes
00:39:22Then it was time to check the eyes that so many young girls were swooning over
00:39:27I wonder if Elvis' blood pressure was a little high with all those cameras pointing at him
00:39:32And speaking of pressure, I wonder how Elvis felt when he had to strip down
00:39:36And as they say in the Army, assume the position
00:39:40All with the cameras still rolling
00:39:42Finally, it was time to take the oath
00:39:59Finally, it was time to take the oath
00:40:02I swear
00:40:03I swear
00:40:06That I will bear true faith and allegiance
00:40:08I will bear true faith and allegiance
00:40:11To the United States of America
00:40:13To the United States of America
00:40:15That I will serve them honestly and faithfully
00:40:19That I will serve them honestly and faithfully
00:40:22Against all thy enemies whomsoever
00:40:25Against all thy enemies whomsoever
00:40:28And that I will obey the orders
00:40:30That I will obey the orders
00:40:32Of the President of the United States
00:40:35The President of the United States
00:40:37And the orders of the officers appointed over me
00:40:42And the orders of the officers appointed over me
00:40:45According to all regulations
00:40:48According to all regulations
00:40:50And the Uniform Code of Military Justice
00:40:53The Uniform Code of Military Justice
00:40:57Congratulations, you are now in the Army.
00:40:59You're all trash.
00:41:01That's the way you'll be addressed from now on.
00:41:05Private Presley, you'll be in charge of the group.
00:41:08Private Elvis Aaron Presley, serial number U.S. 533-10761,
00:41:14left the Memphis draft board as tearful family and friends wished him well.
00:41:18Presley, along with his fellow recruits, boarded a Greyhound bus for the trip to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.
00:41:25Arriving late that night at Fort Chaffee, even Elvis was shocked to see how many fans and reporters were there
00:41:30to meet him.
00:41:32We had a little tough time with Elvis a little while ago because our film broke on us.
00:41:36And we want to say, again, thank you very much for your cooperation.
00:41:39We hope you're going to enjoy your stay in the United States, aren't we?
00:41:42You're very welcome. Thank you very much.
00:41:44Anything you'd like to say to the teenagers as a parting salute here?
00:41:50Well, I'm sorry I didn't get to see them tonight, but I thought it was a little late for them
00:41:55to be out.
00:41:55It was kind of a surprise when they were here.
00:41:57They should have been home in bed, in other words.
00:41:59No, I'm not going to say that.
00:42:02Elvis, thank you very much.
00:42:04So that wraps up our interview from the barracks here at Fort Chaffee.
00:42:08As Private Presley, Elvis A. gets ready for sleep and a busy day tomorrow.
00:42:14Then it was time to learn the fine art of making an Army bunk.
00:42:17The next morning, having been gently awakened by a friendly drill sergeant at 5 a.m.,
00:42:22Private Presley and his fellow recruits got their first taste of Army cooking.
00:42:27After a hearty breakfast, Presley had an appointment with a barber
00:42:30where he got one of the most famous haircuts in the history of the United States Army.
00:42:35Later, it was off to the quartermaster where Presley traded in his blue suede shoes
00:42:40for a more practical pair of Army boots.
00:42:42And Elvis could forget about custom gold suits designed by Nudie.
00:42:45This time, it was olive drab and right off the rack.
00:42:49But the alterations were on the house.
00:42:51In less than 24 hours, the transformation was complete.
00:42:55Elvis Presley, teen idol, movie star, and national sensation
00:42:58looked like any other sad sack in Uncle Sam's Army.
00:43:03Elvis must have taken his share of razzing from fellow recruits,
00:43:07especially when his film, King Creole, opened in July of 1958.
00:43:11You're a pretty fancy performer, ain't you, kid?
00:43:14Now you know what I do for an encore.
00:43:16Now he crowns his meteoric rise to fame with a fiery burst of dramatic power
00:43:20as hard-loving, hard-hitting Danny Fisher,
00:43:23who sang his way up from the gutters of lusty, brawling New Orleans.
00:43:27There were to be many women in Danny's young life,
00:43:29but only two who really counted.
00:43:31Nellie, who knew too little about love.
00:43:34I've never been to a place like this before.
00:43:37Ronnie, what are you doing? You're this man.
00:43:40How'd you get into this?
00:43:42How do you get out?
00:43:49While Elvis was training at Fort Hood, his parents were living nearby.
00:43:52But in August, his mother fell ill and was hospitalized in Memphis.
00:43:56At 3 a.m. on August 14, 1958, Gladys Presley suffered a heart attack and died.
00:44:02She was 47 years old.
00:44:04Presley was grief-stricken and was quoted as saying,
00:44:07Oh God, everything I have is gone.
00:44:10The Army didn't give Elvis much time to grieve, and he returned to duty.
00:44:14On September 22, 1958, Presley and his fellow soldiers left Brooklyn
00:44:19aboard the USS Randall for West Germany.
00:44:22Elvis, what do you think about going to Germany?
00:44:25Well, sir, I'm kind of looking forward to it.
00:44:27I mean, just before I came in the Army, we were planning a tour of Europe.
00:44:34And I got quite a bit of mail from over there and everything, you know,
00:44:40and I'm kind of looking forward to it, really.
00:44:42In Germany, Presley was more popular with his fans than ever,
00:44:46although he continued to go about his duties like any other soldier.
00:44:49On November 27, 1958, he was promoted to private first class
00:44:54and eventually rose to the rank of Buck Sergeant.
00:44:57Anticipation mounted as the time of his discharge drew near.
00:45:01Elvis arrived at Fort Dix, New Jersey on March 3, 1960,
00:45:05in spite of a raging snowstorm.
00:45:07Elvis held a press conference.
00:45:09I don't know. I don't feel too old.
00:45:11I can still move around pretty good.
00:45:12I was in tanks for a long time, you see.
00:45:16And they rock and roll quite a bit.
00:45:19A few days later, after returning home to Graceland,
00:45:22Elvis held another press conference for the ever-inquisitive press.
00:45:27Now that the Army's part of the past,
00:45:29can you give us in detail some of your future plans?
00:45:34Well, the first thing I have to do is to cut some records.
00:45:39And then after that, I have the television show with Frank Sinatra.
00:45:46And then I have the picture with Mr. Wallace.
00:45:50And then after that, I have two for 20th Century Fox.
00:45:55And after that, heaven knows, I don't.
00:45:58I suppose it'll keep me busy the rest of this year, you know.
00:46:02After that, I don't know.
00:46:03If you look back on your two years in the service,
00:46:06what was the most important thing that happened to you during your two years,
00:46:10whether it was overseas or here in the States?
00:46:15Well, there were a number of things that happened.
00:46:19I had quite a few interesting experiences.
00:46:23Slept out in the snow.
00:46:26Eight sea rations, you know, all the regular things.
00:46:30But I suppose the biggest thing of all is the fact that I did make it.
00:46:36I made it just like everybody.
00:46:38I mean, I tried to play it straight, you know, like everybody else.
00:46:42And I made a lot of friends that I never would have made otherwise.
00:46:49And all in all, it's been a pretty good experience, you know.
00:46:53How about any romance?
00:46:54Did you leave any heart, shall we say, in Germany?
00:47:01Not any special one.
00:47:05There was a little girl that I was seeing quite often over there
00:47:08that her father was in the Air Force.
00:47:12Actually, they only got over there about two months before I left.
00:47:15I was seeing her.
00:47:16And she was at the train, at the airport when I left.
00:47:20And there were some pictures made of her.
00:47:23But it was no big, it was no big romance.
00:47:26I mean, the stories came out, the girl he left behind.
00:47:30And all that, it wasn't like that.
00:47:34I mean, I had to be careful when I answer a question like that.
00:47:42I was in your service life, which did you find the most difficult when you went into basic training
00:47:50or when you got over into Germany, over with the extreme soldiers, which gave you the hardest time?
00:47:59Well, basic training wasn't hard for me at all.
00:48:02Well, it was harder afterwards, after I had gotten into a regular outfit.
00:48:10Not the service itself, but just the surroundings.
00:48:12And I was in a strange land.
00:48:14And the outfit I was in, they had quite a bit of field duty.
00:48:18We stayed in the field six months out of the year.
00:48:21And it gets cold in Germany.
00:48:23His soul was quite a bit.
00:48:26And it was pretty hard to adjust to.
00:48:29There has been some rumor about Nancy Sinatra and yourself.
00:48:32Is there a romance in the making here?
00:48:38No, I'm afraid not.
00:48:39I only met her in Fort Dix.
00:48:42And she gave me a gift from Frank.
00:48:48And it was very brief.
00:48:50I think she's engaged to Tommy Sands.
00:48:52I don't think you would appreciate that.
00:48:54The Frank Sinatra show on the ABC Television Network.
00:48:58Do you have any idea of when this will be aired?
00:49:01I really don't know the exact date.
00:49:04I would imagine it's somewhere around the 1st of May.
00:49:07On May 12th, 1960, Frank Sinatra's Welcome Home Elvis special,
00:49:11taped at the Fountain Blue in Miami, aired on ABC TV.
00:49:16He's here in person.
00:49:20I may pass out.
00:49:22Well, they won't like it.
00:49:23Where are the heck of a sideburns, Germany?
00:49:26Well, I'll be a hound dog.
00:49:29And that's the opening, friends.
00:49:45It was great, and I'm glad to see the Army hasn't changed it.
00:49:48Wasn't it great?
00:49:49It's the first time I ever heard a woman screaming at a male singer.
00:49:56Don't you remember me there, Charlie?
00:49:59You know, I was wondering, as a matter of fact, while you were singing, Elvis,
00:50:01I thought to myself, I wonder what would have happened if I had recorded
00:50:04Love Me Tender instead of you.
00:50:05I wouldn't have made any difference.
00:50:07I think it would have been about 2 million records less.
00:50:11He said that.
00:50:13He had smarty pants.
00:50:15Elvis was back.
00:50:17Paramount and producer Hal Wallace were anxious to get Presley's movie career up to speed,
00:50:21and Elvis quickly signed on to do more films.
00:50:24First up would be a natural, the 1960 release, G.I. Blues.
00:50:30Paramount's rousing, rollicking story of America's ever-loving overseas G.I.s
00:50:35with a skyrocketing star who really lived it.
00:50:41Fire!
00:50:42On the way!
00:50:49I'm so pleased you came to Germany.
00:50:52I'm going to write a thank-you letter to your draft board.
00:50:54Yes, America's most talked-about, written-about ex-G.I.
00:50:57is here to show the world there's been some changes made
00:51:00by that rugged tour of duty with the battling tankers.
00:51:04It's a three-day pass at those frolicking fruleins,
00:51:07but the dancing darling who blocks every pass has all the G.I.s in a spin.
00:51:12And guess who the boys are betting on to break through her defenses?
00:51:16It's Elvis on a love campaign no guy or gal should miss.
00:51:20A lieber.
00:51:21For those who do not understand,
00:51:23lieber translated means love.
00:51:25Oh, you don't have to explain that to a G.I.
00:51:27that's one of the first words he learns when he gets over here.
00:51:29Oh, you too, Tulsa.
00:51:31G.I. Blues was quickly followed by the 1960 release Flaming Star.
00:51:36You don't feel it like I do about Ma's death.
00:51:39I'm Indian.
00:51:41And I'll never forget that White's killed her because she was Indian, too.
00:51:44It was the time for Pacer, the half-breed, to choose.
00:51:47And whichever path he took,
00:51:48he had to hurt someone he loved.
00:52:01In March of 1961,
00:52:03Presley traveled to Hawaii to begin filming Blue Hawaii.
00:52:06On March 25, 1961,
00:52:09he gave a benefit concert for the USS Arizona Memorial Fund
00:52:13in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
00:52:14It would be his last live performance for almost eight years.
00:52:18On November 22, 1961,
00:52:21Blue Hawaii opened.
00:52:22With Elvis as your personal guide to America's exotic Eden,
00:52:26our Polynesian paradise.
00:52:30Elvis brings you the vacation of your life
00:52:33in his first big musical since the song-sational G.I. Blues.
00:52:37It's work.
00:52:38She's jealous.
00:52:39As he hits the beach with the most luscious arm
00:52:42full of delight on the islands.
00:52:47Don't you like it?
00:52:48Oh, I love it.
00:52:49And I thank you for thinking of me.
00:52:52I was thinking of me.
00:52:53Do you want to kiss me again?
00:52:55I don't rob cradles.
00:53:00Did you ever see anything like this in a cradle?
00:53:03Excuse me, Mr. Garvey.
00:53:05Why can't we settle this?
00:53:06Did I say move?
00:53:07Jack, please.
00:53:08Oh, go on.
00:53:09Turn them loose, sis.
00:53:10Turn that tiger loose.
00:53:12Yeah!
00:53:19To the people.
00:53:33In June of 1961,
00:53:35Wild in the Country was released.
00:53:49Although Elvis was not giving live performances during the early 60s,
00:53:53his car was.
00:53:55Presley's 1960 Cadillac,
00:53:57which was customized by famed car builder George Barris,
00:54:00was frequently sent on tour by RCA.
00:54:32There's a lot of scriptures.
00:54:32Or did we receive this video?
00:54:36On May 23, 1962, Follow That Dream opened.
00:54:40Production on the film began in the summer of 1961 in Florida.
00:54:44Elvis arrived on location in his specially equipped bus.
00:54:48The bus was nicknamed Plain Jane because the exterior gave no indication it was Elvis' bus or the luxurious interior
00:54:55within.
00:54:56It's headed for this theater.
00:54:58It's a new Elvis, one you've never seen before.
00:55:02Uproariously bucked as a lawman who does everything wrong but gets the right results.
00:55:08Elvis, absolutely irresistible as an unwilling Lothario who turns to ice every time a lovely lady turns on the heat.
00:55:16Anybody ever tell you you're very handsome?
00:55:18Only girls.
00:55:20Take care of the sheriff, Pete.
00:55:23Turn on the music.
00:55:25Make it loud. I like it loud.
00:55:30Well, what are you waiting for?
00:55:33Where's your gun?
00:55:34I got it.
00:55:36Louie?
00:55:36Yeah?
00:55:37Yeah, take the flashlight.
00:55:42Presley was turning out movies at a breakneck clip.
00:55:45Barely four months after Follow That Dream opened, on August 29th, Kid Galahad hit the nation's theaters.
00:55:51It's a knockout.
00:55:54A honey of a picture full of that Elvis kind of action.
00:56:02That Elvis kind of lovin'.
00:56:07What do you do when you feel like this?
00:56:11People usually get married, I understand.
00:56:12All you had were your empty pockets and a shine on the seat of your pants.
00:56:16Don't push me, Willie.
00:56:18I'm a grease monkey that won't slide so easily.
00:56:20Shut up, I said...
00:56:21You can't yell out to make me shut up.
00:56:23I'll tell you what I think of the fight game.
00:56:24I think it stinks.
00:56:26When it does for me what I want to do, I'm getting out.
00:56:33In April of 1962, Presley had flown to Hawaii to work on his next film, Girls, Girls, Girls.
00:56:40After a month of location shooting, Elvis flew into Honolulu before returning to Hollywood to finish the film.
00:56:48What are you going to do today, Elvis, after this is all over?
00:56:50Are you going to sneak out on the beach and get some sun?
00:56:51I'm going to take these layers off on my neck so I can walk.
00:56:58All your buddies are not?
00:56:59No, I'm probably a rift because I've been out for about two days.
00:57:02Have you? You've been recording lately?
00:57:04Yeah, I did a new album which should be out in about another month.
00:57:10I've been recording and getting ready to come over here.
00:57:14And this picture, Girls, Girls, Girls, produced by Hal Wallace, is standing right over there.
00:57:18How many songs are you singing, Elvis?
00:57:20You know, I believe it's about 14, but not about Hawaii in this one.
00:57:30No, I don't think it's about Hawaii.
00:57:32You're going to be on a tuna boat in this one.
00:57:33In fact, I think the song in this one are a combination of other things.
00:57:42Rock and roll, a little lip song, and so forth.
00:57:45It's kind of hard to concentrate this afternoon.
00:57:51Girls, Girls, Girls opened on November 21st, 1962.
00:57:55Elvis' drawing power at the box office was holding strong as the film grossed almost $3 million in its first
00:58:01few months of release.
00:58:03Girls, Girls, Girls.
00:58:05It's a storm of entertainment that brings down the house.
00:58:09The salty story of a two-fisted guy who wanted to own his own boat more than anything in the
00:58:14world, while every girl on the shore was trying to own him.
00:58:19I donned one and Casanova rolled into one.
00:58:22But in the boat, it's girls.
00:58:24Girls, Girls, Girls.
00:58:26Elvis' next film was It Happened at the World's Fair.
00:58:29In September of 1962, Elvis and the film crew began shooting on location at the Seattle World's Fairgrounds.
00:58:36This was one of the very few times Presley left the confines of a closed movie set, and it represented
00:58:42a unique opportunity to his fans to get close to Elvis.
00:58:45But it also posed some major logistical and security problems for MGM, who hired 100 special policemen to protect Elvis
00:58:52while he was on the fairgrounds.
00:58:54Six special Pinkerton plainclothes detectives were also hired and were at his side throughout the filming.
00:59:25See you next time.
01:00:06Everything that has made Elvis Presley
01:00:09one of the greatest entertainment stars in the world
01:00:13is romances.
01:00:15Dorothy!
01:00:16Get me my gun, Emma.
01:00:18Mom!
01:00:19Dad!
01:00:20What do you mean I...
01:00:24But now, something new has been added.
01:00:26The warm touch of a great guy.
01:00:28For Elvis has a new sweetheart.
01:00:31Little Vicki, too.
01:00:32One of the cutest youngsters you've ever met.
01:00:34Of course, he has a big sweetheart, too.
01:00:37Several of them, in fact.
01:00:38One minute, there's something in this eye.
01:00:40And the next minute, there's something in this eye.
01:00:43He's got something in his eye, all right.
01:00:45Yes, the space needle rocks and the monorail rolls
01:00:48in an eye-popping riot of explosive hilarity.
01:00:51Boy, did this man really give you a quarter to kick him?
01:00:56Yes.
01:00:57He's some kind of nut.
01:00:58And of gorgeous gals, gags, and gangsters.
01:01:03Get moving.
01:01:05Come on, move!
01:01:06Ah!
01:01:09In November of 1963, Elvis' next film, Fun in Acapulco, opened.
01:01:16It's moments of drama at the top of the famous La Perla cliffs,
01:01:20and the attempt to dive into the treacherous waters below.
01:01:26Wanted by the shapeliest playmates in Mexico.
01:01:31From the younger set, who adores him.
01:01:35To a lady bullfighter, who learned her talented passes in the corrida.
01:01:39And a beautiful gal in a bikini, who's the shape of things to come.
01:01:44Oh, it must be a very important mission that sends you off in such a hurry.
01:01:48If you must know, I'm on my way to La Perla to see your girl.
01:01:50Why don't you move me?
01:01:54On January 30th, 1963, Elvis purchased Franklin Roosevelt's presidential yacht, Potomac, for $55,000.
01:02:02He presented the boat to Danny Thomas in care of St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis.
01:02:07Elvis' acts of charity became legendary.
01:02:10Only a few were captured on film, like this check he is giving to Bud Abbott and Barbara Stanwyck
01:02:15for the Motion Picture Relief Fund.
01:02:17During Christmas time, Presley passed out over $50,000 in checks to various charitable organizations in Memphis.
01:02:24When it was announced that Elvis would pass out checks, Presley laughed and said,
01:02:29Elvis is just going to pass out, period.
01:02:31But most of his charitable work was done in private.
01:02:351964 saw more Elvis films, including Kissing Cousins and Viva Las Vegas.
01:02:40Presley's co-star in Viva Las Vegas was Sexy Anne Margaret.
01:02:44Rumors flew all over Hollywood that the duo were having a torrid romance.
01:02:48At one point, Anne Margaret actually announced to the press that she and Presley were engaged.
01:02:52Presley quickly put an end to the rumor, and the couple's romance cooled.
01:02:56Viva Elvis! Viva Anne Margaret! Viva the excitement when these two let themselves go
01:03:02on a wild and woolly world through Funtown, USA!
01:03:08Yes, the sky's the limit for love, laughter, and those wonderful new sounds!
01:03:13It's a pleasure to hear a man's opinion, and not have to listen to the stubborn ravings of a boy
01:03:18who won't grow up and...
01:03:24The Elvis bandwagon of hit songs and movies seemed to be unstoppable.
01:03:28But by 1964, the Beatles had arrived.
01:03:37Zan Davis says you guys are nothing but a bunch of British Elvis Presleys.
01:03:41He must be blind!
01:03:42It's not true, it's not true!
01:03:45And for the first time in his career, Elvis had a serious rival for the affections of American teenagers.
01:03:521964 ended with the release of Roustabout.
01:03:55In January 1965, Elvis celebrated his 30th birthday.
01:04:00Later in 1965, Elvis' 17th film, Girl Happy, was released.
01:04:04In May of that year, Tickle Me was released.
01:04:07It was reported that Presley was earning $100,000 and 50% of the profits for each of his films.
01:04:21In November of 1965, Presley's 19th film, Harem Scarum, was released.
01:04:26On March 31, 1966, Frankie and Johnny premiered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
01:04:31More films followed, including Paradise, Hawaiian Style, Spin Out, Easy Come, Easy Go, and Double Trouble.
01:04:40Over the years, Elvis' name had been romantically linked to many women, especially all of his former leading ladies.
01:04:46In fact, Elvis reportedly said,
01:04:48If I slept with every woman they say I have, I would have been dead a long time ago.
01:04:53But all the speculation ended on May 1, 1967, when it was announced that Elvis Presley had married Priscilla Bouillieu,
01:05:00the young girl he first met in Germany while he was in the Army.
01:05:04100 guests assembled in the lobby of the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
01:05:07The double ring ceremony took place at 9.41 a.m.
01:05:12Following the party, a press conference was held, and the world got to see the king and his new queen.
01:05:16?
01:05:16?
01:05:18?
01:05:20?
01:09:09I think it's the most wonderful thing I've ever done in my life, you know? I mean, I've
01:09:14always wanted to see Elvis in person, and now I have.
01:09:18What has this trip meant to you?
01:09:21A chance to see America plus a chance to see Elvis.
01:09:23Which is more important?
01:09:24Elvis.
01:09:25This is what they have come to see.
01:09:28In these bits from Presley's latest act, the body movements don't seem quite as suggestive
01:09:33as in 1956 when Ed Sullivan refused to telecast Presley below the waist.
01:09:39Maybe it's that Presley is now 37 years old.
01:09:42The style is more sophisticated, just as the high pompadour and ducktail haircut have given
01:09:48way to the sophisticated shoulder-length styling of the 70s.
01:09:54Considered a superstar, Presley really doesn't need hard sell.
01:09:58But looking around this hotel, you'd never know it.
01:10:01And maybe that's one of the major reasons for the lasting success.
01:10:06Never stop selling.
01:10:07It's like a carnival here.
01:10:10And why not?
01:10:11That is the background of the man who created Presley, Colonel Tom Parker.
01:10:17Parker's philosophic presence is everywhere.
01:10:20No chance to sell Presley is overlooked.
01:10:24And if it's a captive audience lined up waiting to see a Presley performance,
01:10:28what's a dollar to a true fan?
01:10:31Special sale closeout right here.
01:10:33Only a dollar.
01:10:34One dollar.
01:10:35They're not sold in the showroom.
01:10:37Last chance here.
01:10:39The Elvis's souvenir worth one dollar.
01:10:42In March of 1969, Charo was released.
01:10:45Later, 1969 closed out with The Trouble with Girls and Change of Habit,
01:10:50which was Elvis' 31st and last scripted movie.
01:10:53All future Presley films would be concert-based films.
01:10:57On December 21st of 1969, Presley visited President Richard Nixon at the White House.
01:11:03Presley, who had a fascination with guns,
01:11:06gave the President a commemorative Colt 45,
01:11:08and reportedly the President gave Elvis a Narcotics Bureau badge.
01:11:13In January of 1970, Presley returned to the International Hotel in Las Vegas for another smash one month engagement.
01:11:20The following month, he was booked into the Houston Astrodome for six shows.
01:11:25Presley held a press conference to talk about the upcoming appearance.
01:11:28What do you think of Texas?
01:11:30I like it.
01:11:30I like it.
01:11:31I like it.
01:11:33Excuse me.
01:11:33I can't take this fresh air, man.
01:11:36I'm used to the back of the garbage can at the International Hotel, man.
01:11:41If I can't smell some garbage, I don't feel it at home, man.
01:11:43I'll tell you.
01:11:47Do you have any films right now or any plans?
01:11:51No, there's nothing as far as I know of.
01:11:52Is it, Colonel?
01:11:53Anything in the workings?
01:11:54I can't commit myself.
01:11:55An eight millimeter Walt Disney special we're doing next year, I think.
01:11:59I don't know.
01:12:01There's nothing as far as I know.
01:12:04So I just hope I can put on a good show, man.
01:12:06What happened to the Jordan Airs?
01:12:08I can't get them out of Nashville, man.
01:12:09They got stuck in Nashville and, you know, they make so much money and they do so well in Nashville,
01:12:17you can't get them out of there.
01:12:20You ever put out any of those old records from the Sun label missing through them at all?
01:12:25They sound funny, boy.
01:12:27They got a lot of echo on them, man, I'll tell you.
01:12:30You were available to the public only in films.
01:12:32Yeah.
01:12:33For a long period of time.
01:12:34Well, I think the most important thing is the inspiration that I got from a live audience.
01:12:40I was missing that.
01:12:41You see, country music was always a part of the influence on my type of music anyway.
01:12:47It's a combination of country music and gospel and rhythm and blues all combined is what it really was.
01:12:54As a child, I was influenced by all of that.
01:12:57Elvis' professional career was going greater than ever.
01:13:00But rumors began to surface that all was not well between Elvis and Priscilla.
01:13:05She complained that the couple were constantly surrounded by Elvis' friends and they spent very little time alone together.
01:13:10On November 11, 1970, Elvis' That's The Way It Is opened.
01:13:15On January 9, 1971, the conservative Jaycees Club elected Presley as one of the top ten young men of the
01:13:22year.
01:13:23Other winners that year included White House Press Secretary Ron Ziegler, a West Point professor and a biophysicist.
01:13:30I learned very early in life that without a song, today would never end.
01:13:36Without a song, a man ain't got a friend.
01:13:39Without a song, the road would never bend.
01:13:42Without a song.
01:13:43So I'll keep singing the song.
01:13:45Good night. Thank you.
01:13:58Elvis' tours and hit records continued.
01:14:01As each new concert venue was announced, it was sold out.
01:14:04Fans screamed as Elvis clad in one of his special karate inspired jumpsuits prowled the stage kicking and punching in
01:14:10the air.
01:14:10In June of 1972, Presley came to New York to perform at Madison Square Garden.
01:14:15It was the first time Presley had ever appeared in concert in New York.
01:14:19Reporters gathered at the New York Hilton where Presley, joined by his father Vernon and Colonel Tom Parker, held a
01:14:25news conference.
01:14:28First of all, I plead innocent of all charges.
01:14:31Okay.
01:14:33All right.
01:14:35Thank you, dear.
01:14:40No, all kidding aside, we had to wait our turn to get into the garden, you know.
01:14:45No, I stopped using that greasy kid stuff, too.
01:14:47Just like everybody else did, man.
01:14:51Well, I found that in the audiences that we have, it's mixed.
01:14:56It's older people, younger people, and the very young, and all types of people, you know, which is good.
01:15:03But I just made a movie of the last tour I did.
01:15:07It's the first live concert that we ever found.
01:15:09So that's my next project that's coming out.
01:15:12There's so many places that I haven't been yet.
01:15:15I've never played New York.
01:15:16I went to Hawaii to get a tan for New York.
01:15:22The Madison Square Garden engagement was another Presley triumph.
01:15:26Over 80,000 people attended the concerts.
01:15:29The once shy young man from Tupelo was now the undisputed king of rock and roll, with two generations of
01:15:35fans clamoring to see him perform and still making his records chart-topping hits.
01:15:41On August 18, 1972, Priscilla Presley filed for divorce.
01:15:45The couple had been separated since February.
01:15:48On September 9, Elvis met Linda Thompson.
01:15:51She was the reigning Miss Tennessee and third runner-up in the Miss USA pageant.
01:15:55Elvis and Linda became constant companions.
01:15:58Later that year in November, Presley's 33rd and last film, Elvis On Tour, was released.
01:16:03In January of 1973, Presley arrived in Hawaii for a unique around-the-world event.
01:16:09Called Aloha from Hawaii, it was a live concert transmitted via satellite all over the world.
01:16:14Presley joined RCA record president Rocco Laganestra to announce the concert.
01:16:19And nearby, as he always is, just out of camera range, Colonel Tom Parker.
01:16:26I'm still on the side. I'm on stage.
01:16:38This is the first time that I've seen this myself.
01:16:48I really should start this conference off by congratulating Elvis, because we will have two new firsts.
01:16:56The first first, new first, involves Elvis as the first performer to do a worldwide live concert via satellite.
01:17:10Real spectacular.
01:17:12And the second is that we will have a worldwide album via satellite.
01:17:20All of this has been made possible by the joint efforts of a lot of people, and especially including Colonel
01:17:28Tom Parker.
01:17:29Elvis, again, my congratulations for this spectacular.
01:17:33Thank you, sir. Thank you.
01:17:37It's very hard to comprehend it.
01:17:40Because in 15 years, it's hard to comprehend that happening, you know.
01:17:48To all the countries all over the world via satellite.
01:17:52It's very difficult to comprehend.
01:17:54A live concert, to me, is exciting because of all the electricity that's generated in the crowd and on stage.
01:18:05But, uh, it's my favorite part of the business.
01:18:10It's a live, live concert.
01:18:13How do you pace yourself?
01:18:16Sir?
01:18:16How do you pace yourself?
01:18:19Uh, you mean physically, vocally or whatever?
01:18:21So you are up when you need to be up?
01:18:23I just, uh, I exercise every day.
01:18:27I vocalize every day.
01:18:30I practice if I'm working or not, you know.
01:18:37So I just try to stay in shape all the time.
01:18:42Vocally and mentally, you know.
01:18:45Which is harder?
01:18:47Well, both are tough, you know.
01:18:49You gotta work at them, but I don't mind it, you know.
01:18:52It's worth it.
01:18:56Uh, well now they shoot me all the way, see.
01:19:00So just the waist down.
01:19:03Now, uh, but I would like to think that I am, I had improved as an entertainer.
01:19:09Uh, and I'd like to get their rapport with an audience.
01:19:13Because it's a give and take thing.
01:19:15If you can, if you can, if you can do that, it works, you know.
01:19:21If the artist or whoever is performing can get that kind of rapport going with the audience, then it really,
01:19:28it pays off.
01:19:31It's good, you know.
01:19:32But do you feel that you have more of that rapport now than you did 15 years ago?
01:19:37I couldn't answer that.
01:19:39I really couldn't.
01:19:42I must say this about the, uh, when we first approached the various countries around the world, uh, Elvis is
01:19:49a, certainly the only performer that could do this today.
01:19:53He is well-known in every country that we have taught, in fact, in every country in the world.
01:19:57And the acceptance was just fantastic.
01:19:59It wasn't a case of any selling.
01:20:01Because, you know, he's been in demand for live performances around the world, but you just can't do this, so
01:20:07this is the way of approaching it.
01:20:08But the acceptance exceeded all of our expectations, Elvis.
01:20:11Thank you very much.
01:20:12That's very nice.
01:20:15The program was broadcast on January 14th, 1973, and was seen by over half a billion people.
01:20:23Throughout the early 70s, Elvis continued to tour extensively, although many fans began to notice that he was gaining weight.
01:20:29But the crowds kept coming to see him, and many refused to leave the theater until they heard the announcement,
01:20:34Elvis has left the building.
01:20:36In 1975, Elvis broke the record for gate receipts for a single performance at a concert in Pontiac, Michigan.
01:20:43By 1976, Elvis' weight had ballooned to over 230 pounds.
01:20:47There were rumors of erratic behavior and drug abuse.
01:20:50He became more and more isolated from his fans, as he was whisked off immediately after each performance.
01:20:55In 1977, Elvis had to stop a concert in Baltimore for health reasons.
01:21:01He left the stage and returned 30 minutes later.
01:21:03The tabloids began running negative articles about Presley's food cravings and reported temper tantrums.
01:21:09On June 26th, 1977, Elvis gave what would be his last public performance at Union Square Arena in Indianapolis.
01:21:18On August 1st, 1977, the book, Elvis, What Happened, was published.
01:21:23Written by long-time Elvis insiders, Red and Sonny West, and Dave Hebler, the shocking book describes Elvis as a
01:21:30brooding and violent man, obsessed by death.
01:21:33It outlines sexual encounters and drug binges.
01:21:36These had to be difficult days for Elvis.
01:21:38He had spent so many years trying to reverse the negative images that followed him as a young performer.
01:21:43But now, some of his closest friends had betrayed him.
01:21:47The only thing that would silence the critics would be a new concert tour.
01:21:50The first date was set for August 17th, but it was not to be.
01:21:55On August 16th, 1977, at 2.30 p.m., Ginger Alden, Presley's current girlfriend, found Elvis unconscious in a second
01:22:03-floor bathroom at Graceland.
01:22:05Medical assistance was summoned and Presley was rushed to Baptist Memorial Hospital.
01:22:09He was pronounced dead at 3.30 p.m.
01:22:12A shock nation watched as the news of his death was broadcast over every TV station.
01:22:17The cause of death is cardiac arrhythmia.
01:22:20The precise cause has not yet been determined for the cardiac arrhythmia.
01:22:24It may take several days to several weeks to determine that specific cause.
01:22:29And in some cases, it never is discovered.
01:22:32The news came as a total surprise.
01:22:34Elvis was only 42 years old.
01:22:36Ironically, the Star newspaper was out that very week featuring an Elvis story on its front page and promoting it
01:22:43heavily on television.
01:22:45As word of Elvis' death spread like wildfire throughout the world, distraught fans converged on Memphis.
01:22:52At Graceland, Elvis was laid out in a huge copper coffin, wearing a white suit, navy shirt, and his diamond
01:22:58-encrusted TCB, taking care of business, ring.
01:23:01Over 10,000 grief-stricken fans were allowed to pass by the coffin.
01:23:05The National Enquirer managed to sneak a photo of Elvis and splashed it on their front page.
01:23:09On August 17, 1977, a funeral cortege of white Cadillac slowly made its way from Graceland to Forest Hill Cemetery.
01:23:18At the cemetery, the coffin was pushed into place in a mausoleum located near the grave of Elvis' mother.
01:23:24But that would not be Elvis' last resting place.
01:23:28Vernon moved both Elvis' body and his mother's to Graceland to an area now known as the Meditation Garden.
01:23:34Almost from the moment of Elvis Presley's death, many rumors circulated about what really happened.
01:23:40There are some who claim he had serious health problems and suffered three previous heart attacks.
01:23:45Another rumor was that he was taking drugs because he was dying of bone cancer.
01:23:49Whether prescription or not, at the time of his death, apparently, Elvis Presley was taking a lot of drugs.
01:23:55But whatever the reason, one thing was for sure, his fans refused to let him go.
01:24:00By the 1980s, rumors that Presley was actually alive spread across the nation.
01:24:06In 1988, the National Examiner reported a Presley sighting.
01:24:10Through the years, hundreds of sightings have been reported and there have been books and audio tapes claiming that Elvis
01:24:15is still alive.
01:24:17Others claim that they have been visited by the ghost of Elvis.
01:24:20Both ends of his life are celebrated as fans travel to his humble birthplace in Tupelo.
01:24:25And thousands gather every year for an emotional candlelight vigil outside Graceland on the anniversary of his death.
01:24:32In his legendary career, Elvis made 33 feature films.
01:24:36He was awarded over 90 gold single records and over 50 gold albums.
01:24:41And four of his albums stayed on the charts for over a year.
01:24:44Elvis Presley has become a subject analyzed by authors, music critics, even historians.
01:24:49But in the end, the why of it really doesn't matter.
01:24:53What matters is that for whatever our own personal reasons, he deeply touched all of our lives.
01:24:59Maybe Elvis's father Vernon summed it up best on Elvis's tombstone eulogy when he said,
01:25:04He had a God-given talent that he shared with the world.
01:25:08And without a doubt, he became most widely acclaimed, capturing the hearts of young and old alike.
01:25:14He was admired not only as an entertainer, but as a great humanitarian.
01:25:19He revolutionized the field of music and received its highest awards.
01:25:23He became a living legend in his own time, earning the respect and love of millions.
01:25:58He became a living legend in his own time.