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Elvis On Screen: A Dozen Favorites

By: Jeremy Richey
Source: Moon In The Gutter.
July 28, 2010 - 10:06:02 AM
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Elvis On Screen: A Dozen Favorites

Roger Ebert wrote in 1968 that 'Speedway is the late show of 20 years from now'. While Ebert meant it in a derogatory way, he did at least hit on one key thing about the films of Elvis Presley, and that is that they have indeed survived. More than survived, they have prospered and despite the suspect quality of some of them, for millions of people all over the world they continue to resonate far more than most 'great' movies you care to name. Kurt Russell, who worked with Elvis in It Happened at the World's Fair and later played him, told Turner Classic Movies a few years back that the reason he loved Elvis movies is because they had Elvis in them. Sometimes the most obvious statements are the most profound ones, and indeed the reason most Elvis movies continue to be watched over and over again are because Elvis is in them.

I would argue though that there are some really good movies, among the 32 that he made, that even films buffs who aren't into Elvis could enjoy. So here is a list of my favorite Elvis movies (excluding documentaries). I seem to remember Roger Ebert also said that Elvis Presley never made a good film. I would offer up any of these thoroughly enjoyable works as a strong counter to that

1. King Creole (1958)

2. Wild in the Country (1961)

3. Viva Las Vegas (1964)

4. Jailhouse Rock (1957)

5. Live a Little Love a Little (1968)

6. Change of Habit (1969)

7. Girl Happy (1965)

8. Loving You (1957)

9. Follow that Dream (1962)

10. Blue Hawaii (1961)

11. Flaming Star (1960)

12. Charro (1969)

Elvis Presleys Movies
Undervalued Classics: Michael Curtiz’s 'king Creole' (1958)

Jeremy Richey is a student at W.K.U. who earned his English Degree and is working towards another in History.

He has a lifelong interest in film and music.

This article © Copyright Elvis Australia : No part of this article maybe re-printed for public display without permission.

Recommended Shop items : CDs, DVDs and Books

Special Delivery : The Ultimate Elvis Presley Collectors Box
48 Hours To Memphis FTD CD : 7" Packaging [FTD Stereo Concert CDs*]
Elvis : The King Of Las Vegas : Deluxe Hardcover Book : 1300 + pictures [Photo Books]
The Elvis Files : Elvis from 1953-1977 [Photo Books]
King Creole : Frame By Frame : Deluxe Hardcover Book : 400 pages

Elvis My Best Man by George Klein [Information Books]
The Elvis I Knew by Charlie Hodge DVD [Elvis Presley Documenetary and Concerts on DVD]
Tickle Me DVD [Elvis Presley movies on DVD]
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD [Elvis Presley Documenetary and Concerts on DVD] [Below]
Review : Elvis Country FTD Special Edition 2 CD Set

* 48 Hours To Memphis is actually not stereo but it has been mixed from a two track tape and very high quality 'hi-fi' and not only is it not a soundboard it compares perfectly with normal stereo releases.

Video Preview: Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD

Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD. Digipack with a 16 page booklet. Never before have we seen an Elvis concert from the 50's with sound. Until Now! The DVD Contains recently discovered Unreleased Film of Elvis performing 6 songs, including Heartbreak Hotel and Don’t Be Cruel, live in Tupelo Mississippi 1956. Included we see a live performance of the elusive Long Tall Sally seen here for the first time ever. This is an excellent release no fan should be without it. The 'parade' footage is good to see as it puts you in the right context with color and b&w footage. The interviews of Elvis' Parents are well worth hearing too. The afternoon show footage is wonderful and electrifying : Here is Elvis in his prime rocking and rolling in front of 11.000 people.

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