When Elvis Presley went to the recording studio, filmed a movie, or took a vacation, his group of friends followed. They made up his entourage and did a variety of jobs for him, including simply providing him with company. They weren’t always supportive, though. When Elvis expressed interest in filmmaking, his friends rolled their eyes.
Elvis Presley’s friends didn’t care much about his film career
In 1964, Elvis started work on the film Roustabout. When he got to set, his entourage was with him. The film’s director, John Rich, did not appreciate their presence and tried to keep them away from the action. Still, they hung around the set, which Rich believed was a detriment to Elvis.
“I’m not one for fraternizing too much with the group around the players, but they were around quite a bit, and you couldn’t ignore them,” he said in...
Elvis Presley’s friends didn’t care much about his film career
In 1964, Elvis started work on the film Roustabout. When he got to set, his entourage was with him. The film’s director, John Rich, did not appreciate their presence and tried to keep them away from the action. Still, they hung around the set, which Rich believed was a detriment to Elvis.
“I’m not one for fraternizing too much with the group around the players, but they were around quite a bit, and you couldn’t ignore them,” he said in...
- 6/15/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley is best known for his music, but he had a substantial film career as well. He began acting in the 1950s and continued making movies all through the 1960s. Though not always critically successful, his films always drew audiences. This didn’t excite Elvis, though. He said that he never felt satisfied with his film career.
Elvis’ film career was a disappointment to him
Elvis said he initially viewed acting as just another job. Over time, though, he grew to care so much about it that it made him “physically ill” to not have any control over it.
“I didn’t have final approval on the script, which means that I couldn’t tell you, ‘This is not good for me,’” he said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick. “I don’t think anyone was consciously trying to harm me. It...
Elvis’ film career was a disappointment to him
Elvis said he initially viewed acting as just another job. Over time, though, he grew to care so much about it that it made him “physically ill” to not have any control over it.
“I didn’t have final approval on the script, which means that I couldn’t tell you, ‘This is not good for me,’” he said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick. “I don’t think anyone was consciously trying to harm me. It...
- 5/1/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley grew famous for his music career, but he also had a successful run as an actor. He starred in a number of high-earning films and took top billing in all but one of his movies. Many people, Elvis himself included, believed he showed great potential as an actor. Unfortunately, he never had the chance to grow in the way he wanted. One of his greatest career regrets had to do with the stunted growth of his acting career.
Elvis wished he could have made more out of his film career
In 1975, Elvis had the opportunity to act in A Star Is Born alongside Barbra Streisand. He hadn’t been in a movie since 1969, but this was the opportunity he’d been waiting for. It was a serious, dramatic role about a washed-up musician, a part Elvis could understand a little too well at this point in his career.
Elvis wished he could have made more out of his film career
In 1975, Elvis had the opportunity to act in A Star Is Born alongside Barbra Streisand. He hadn’t been in a movie since 1969, but this was the opportunity he’d been waiting for. It was a serious, dramatic role about a washed-up musician, a part Elvis could understand a little too well at this point in his career.
- 3/23/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
For nearly all of his career, Elvis Presley worked with controversial manager Colonel Tom Parker. Parker helped Elvis on his rise to success, but he also hindered him in some ways, not allowing him to perform internationally or act in the films Elvis wanted. Elvis occasionally expressed a great deal of resentment toward Parker. Still, they worked together until Elvis’ death, and Parker attended the funeral. His choice of attire shocked everyone there.
Colonel Parker did not dress up for Elvis’ funeral
Elvis died on the afternoon of Aug. 16, 1977. Two days later, his family held a funeral at Graceland. Thousands of mourning fans gathered outside the home’s gates while the singer’s friends, family, and associates attended the service. It was a somber, tragic affair, which made Parker’s choice of clothing stand out all the more.
Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis | Gab Archive/Redferns
Parker arrived at Graceland...
Colonel Parker did not dress up for Elvis’ funeral
Elvis died on the afternoon of Aug. 16, 1977. Two days later, his family held a funeral at Graceland. Thousands of mourning fans gathered outside the home’s gates while the singer’s friends, family, and associates attended the service. It was a somber, tragic affair, which made Parker’s choice of clothing stand out all the more.
Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis | Gab Archive/Redferns
Parker arrived at Graceland...
- 3/16/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In 1975, Elvis Presley received an offer to act in the film A Star Is Born alongside Barbra Streisand. The opportunity excited him greatly. He hadn’t been in a movie since 1969’s Change of Habit and was growing bored of his endless schedule of performances. A new film could have reestablished him as an actor. Ultimately, though, when negotiations fell through, Elvis’ friend the singer hadn’t been sure he could pull off the role.
Elvis Presley reportedly didn’t think he would be a good fit in a film
In 1975, Streisand offered Elvis $500,000 and 10% of profits to star as rock star John Norman Howard in A Star Is Born. After the initial meeting with Streisand, Elvis’ friends recalled that he seemed excited about the part. The role was of a rock star whose career was on the decline. It was the sort of dramatic and complicated part Elvis had...
Elvis Presley reportedly didn’t think he would be a good fit in a film
In 1975, Streisand offered Elvis $500,000 and 10% of profits to star as rock star John Norman Howard in A Star Is Born. After the initial meeting with Streisand, Elvis’ friends recalled that he seemed excited about the part. The role was of a rock star whose career was on the decline. It was the sort of dramatic and complicated part Elvis had...
- 3/14/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley began to receive death threats as his fame increased. He received a particularly frightening threat before one show; it scared him and his entourage badly enough that he said goodbye to his family before taking the stage. Afterward, though, he teased his bodyguards about taking it seriously. In private, he seemed much more shaken by it.
Elvis claimed he was afraid to sleep alone after a death threat
Ahead of a show in Las Vegas, several members of Elvis’ entourage received phone calls from a person who claimed to have information about a plot to kill Elvis. They informed the FBI, and Elvis called members of his entourage who were not in Vegas to have them closer to him.
“He just stumbled into my arms and hugged me,” his friend Jerry Schilling said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
Elvis Presley...
Elvis claimed he was afraid to sleep alone after a death threat
Ahead of a show in Las Vegas, several members of Elvis’ entourage received phone calls from a person who claimed to have information about a plot to kill Elvis. They informed the FBI, and Elvis called members of his entourage who were not in Vegas to have them closer to him.
“He just stumbled into my arms and hugged me,” his friend Jerry Schilling said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
Elvis Presley...
- 2/2/2024
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley met Sheila Ryan in the early 1970s and immediately expected her to be his girlfriend. He had recently ended a relationship with Linda Thompson and threw himself into the romance with Ryan. She explained that after just one day of knowing each other, he began making demands of her. She found it shocking that he could be furious with her for not listening to him when they barely knew each other.
Elvis Presley wanted to control his girlfriend immediately after they met
Elvis met Ryan for the first time in his Las Vegas suite between shows. She found it unbelievably bizarre that she was spending time with Elvis Presley. She said the whole thing felt like an out-of-body experience until Elvis fell asleep.
“[H]e fell asleep,” she said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick. “I don’t know if he gave me pajamas,...
Elvis Presley wanted to control his girlfriend immediately after they met
Elvis met Ryan for the first time in his Las Vegas suite between shows. She found it unbelievably bizarre that she was spending time with Elvis Presley. She said the whole thing felt like an out-of-body experience until Elvis fell asleep.
“[H]e fell asleep,” she said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick. “I don’t know if he gave me pajamas,...
- 12/22/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Though Elvis Presley only married once in his lifetime, he had many girlfriends. One was his backup singer, Kathy Westmoreland, whom he dated on and off as they worked together. As Westmoreland began to express concern about their relationship, Elvis grew angry with her. His response to her worries made her realize he was trying to train her like he would a pet.
Elvis’ girlfriend felt that he was treating her like his pet dog
In the early 1970s, Westmoreland visited Elvis for a weekend and began to worry about their relationship. Elvis had other girlfriends, but he was still married to Priscilla Presley. She began to talk about how she “could find no valid excuse for committing adultery, love or no love.”
“That night, in the quiet stillness of each other’s arms after a flurry of passion, things began to go topsy turvy,” she said, per the book...
Elvis’ girlfriend felt that he was treating her like his pet dog
In the early 1970s, Westmoreland visited Elvis for a weekend and began to worry about their relationship. Elvis had other girlfriends, but he was still married to Priscilla Presley. She began to talk about how she “could find no valid excuse for committing adultery, love or no love.”
“That night, in the quiet stillness of each other’s arms after a flurry of passion, things began to go topsy turvy,” she said, per the book...
- 12/14/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
At several concerts in 1975, Elvis Presley embarrassed backup singer Kathy Westmoreland in front of the audience. After a particularly disastrous show during which nearly all the backup singers walked offstage, Westmoreland refused to go on altogether. Following the show, Elvis pointed a gun at her. She explained how she felt in the terrifying moment.
Elvis Presley terrified his backup singer after a concert
Elvis and Westmoreland had an on-and-off again relationship, but she eventually began dating a member of his band. As a result, he made several disparaging remarks about her onstage, telling the audience that she’d take “affection” from any band member. After several tense shows, Westmoreland refused to take the stage. Following this concert, Elvis asked to see her.
“He was sitting on his bed wearing his karate pajamas, and he had a gun,” she said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
Elvis Presley terrified his backup singer after a concert
Elvis and Westmoreland had an on-and-off again relationship, but she eventually began dating a member of his band. As a result, he made several disparaging remarks about her onstage, telling the audience that she’d take “affection” from any band member. After several tense shows, Westmoreland refused to take the stage. Following this concert, Elvis asked to see her.
“He was sitting on his bed wearing his karate pajamas, and he had a gun,” she said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
- 9/15/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Elvis Presley had many girlfriends in his lifetime. While his most well-known relationship was with Priscilla Presley — she was the only woman he ever married — he dated around while still with her. He became involved with co-stars and collaborators. When his girlfriend and backup singer, Kathy Westmoreland, turned 30, he told her he’d have to start introducing her as an old woman.
Elvis told his girlfriend that she was getting old after her 30th birthday
Westmoreland was one of Elvis’ backup singers, and he quickly took an interest in her.
“So he sat with me on the sofa, and he still had his arm around me, and he told me how much he cared about me, you know, that he was interested in me and liked me, and when he kissed me, I crossed my eyes,” she said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
Elvis told his girlfriend that she was getting old after her 30th birthday
Westmoreland was one of Elvis’ backup singers, and he quickly took an interest in her.
“So he sat with me on the sofa, and he still had his arm around me, and he told me how much he cared about me, you know, that he was interested in me and liked me, and when he kissed me, I crossed my eyes,” she said, per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
- 9/14/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
In the 1970s, Elvis Presley’s backup singers understood that he frequently made off-the-cuff comments during performances. It became a problem when he started making pointed and, eventually, outright rude comments about them. His remarks were so bad during one concert that many of his backup singers walked off the stage.
Elvis Presley’s backup singers walked offstage after a comment he made about them
During concerts in the mid-1970s, Elvis made a number of derogatory comments about one of his backup singers, Kathy Westmoreland. During one show, he took shots at all his backup singers. Per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick, Elvis told the audience he “smelled green peppers and onions and that his backup singers, the Sweet Inspirations, had probably been eating catfish.”
Given the comments Elvis had already been making about Westmoreland, the Sweet Inspirations worried his words would grow more insulting.
Elvis Presley’s backup singers walked offstage after a comment he made about them
During concerts in the mid-1970s, Elvis made a number of derogatory comments about one of his backup singers, Kathy Westmoreland. During one show, he took shots at all his backup singers. Per the book Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick, Elvis told the audience he “smelled green peppers and onions and that his backup singers, the Sweet Inspirations, had probably been eating catfish.”
Given the comments Elvis had already been making about Westmoreland, the Sweet Inspirations worried his words would grow more insulting.
- 9/13/2023
- by Emma McKee
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Chicago – Elvis may have left the building, but his work remains viscerally alive in this breezily enjoyable concert documentary. It was filmed during a 15-city tour in April of 1972, and captures the King of Rock at a triumphant peak late in his career, one year before his infamous “Aloha from Hawaii” concert (the first globally broadcast via satellite) and five years before his death.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remember just how gifted Elvis Presley was, since the popularity of his image has far outstretched that of his talent. He’s become an icon in the John Wayne mold, beloved more for what he represented rather than what he accomplished. His persona has been channelled and satirized by countless actors (most memorably, Nicolas Cage and Val Kilmer), and his voice is remembered more for its distinctive timber than its fiery energy.
Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0
Yet “Elvis on Tour” portrays the larger-than-life man in refreshingly human terms.
Sometimes it’s difficult to remember just how gifted Elvis Presley was, since the popularity of his image has far outstretched that of his talent. He’s become an icon in the John Wayne mold, beloved more for what he represented rather than what he accomplished. His persona has been channelled and satirized by countless actors (most memorably, Nicolas Cage and Val Kilmer), and his voice is remembered more for its distinctive timber than its fiery energy.
Blu-Ray Rating: 3.5/5.0
Yet “Elvis on Tour” portrays the larger-than-life man in refreshingly human terms.
- 8/18/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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