Review | Elvis: 'Loving You' DVD
Source: Elvis Australia
September 1, 2018
That voice, those eyes, those lips, those hips! The King returns to life once more!
When premiered in 1957, moviegoers could barely hear the dialogue due to the screaming and swooning of Elvis' frenzied fans. Now newly remastered for optimum sound and picture quality, 'Loving You' stars a young Elvis Presley in his second feature film. This semi-autobiographical tale - which boasts some of his most outstanding performances including Teddy Bear and Loving You - chronicles the King's meteoric rise to super-stardom. With his unique vocal style, smoldering sensuality, and easy-going sex appeal to burn, Elvis shows us why he will live forever!
This is a much-appreciated DVD release and highly recommended. When they say 'remastered for optimum sound and picture quality' they actually mean it. The sound is excellent throughout and unlike previous 'Loving You' DVD release's, the picture is much brighter and without the depressing shadows.
Elvis looks much more relaxed in this movie when compared to his first film Love Me Tender (1956). The storyline suits him perfectly, and not surprisingly, Elvis delivers some fantastic performances. He is supported by a strong cast and backed by original band members Scotty Moore and Bill Black.
Keen fans will also notice the only film appearance of Gladys and Vernon Presley together, as audience members, during Got A Lot Of Living To Do.
As a bonus, there are four interviews included. The interview with Martin Sheen is quite interesting. Martin is a big fan and tells of his love for Elvis and seeing 'Love Me Tender' 'about 20 times in the 50's'. Unlike the other interviews which I found unexciting, this one grabbed me from the start with Martin Sheen's enthusiasm for the interview and for Elvis. I watched the interview twice then the movie. I have given away my old copy of Loving You and replaced it with this delightful DVD.
Features these classic Elvis hits - Got A Lot Of Living To Do - Party - Teddy Bear - Hot Dog - Lonesome Cowboy - Mean Woman Blues - Loving You
'First I would like to applaud the producers for the perfect job they did with transferring this film to DVD. Having never seen this movie (gasp) before I bought it on DVD, the first thing I noticed was that they not only kept the original 'VistaVision' opening sequence, but that the transfer was so flawless as to make it appear that I was watching it from a projector onto the silver screen. Splendid, wonderful, perfect transfer that I could not forget to mention. The sound is awesome as well, 5 stars.
Onto the film. It is true what people say here about the film being almost biographical about Elvis' early years. It is also very dramatic and is a wonderful mix of fun and drama. Here Elvis is still the young, wild stallion, the rebel King. He is lean and mean, and I think he knows it. Set in a smallish town, he is called up on stage to do a number spontaneously and the rest is history. A talent scout in the audience eventually coaxes him to leave behind the world of automobiles to become a musical legend. Trust is a main theme in this movie with Deke Rivers (Elvis) confused about his loyalties, or even if he should trust his own manager. Wow - very biographical come to think of it!
Did I mention how visually stunning the movie is? How beautiful and perfect the color is? Yes I did, but I can't stress it enough. This movie is ear and eye candy, with a great story to match'.
Great DVD Tranfer
Small town girl, big star boy!
Elvis Is Shown Rocking
DVD Extras:
Celebrity Interviews. Martin Sheen, Carson Daly, Tom Verica & Gail O'Grady and Jean Smart.
Martin Sheen talks about Elvis Presley (08:47)
Actors: Elvis Presley, Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey, James Gleason, Ralph Dumke
Directors: Hal Kanter
Writers: Hal Kanter, Herbert Baker, Mary Agnes Thompson
Producers: Hal B. Wallis, Paul Nathan
Format: Color, Original recording remastered, NTSC
Language: English
Cast Overview
Elvis Presley ... Jimmy (Deke Rivers) Lizabeth Scott ... Glenda Markle, Wendell Corey ... Walter (Tex) Warner, Dolores Hart .... Susan Jessup James Gleason .... Carl Meade Ralph Dumke ... Jim Tallman Paul Smith ... Skeeter Kenneth Becker ... Wayne Jana Lund ... Daisy Bricker Vernon Rich ... Harry Taylor David Cameron ... Mr. Castle Grace Hayle ... Mrs. Gunderson Dick Ryan ... Mack Steve Pendleton ... Mr. O'Shea Sydney Chatton ... Ed Grew
Mean Woman Blues
Teddy Bear
Loving You
Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do
Lonesome Cowboy
Hot Dog
(Let's Have A) Party
Recorded at the Paramount Scoring Stage and Radio Recorders, Hollywood. Engineers: Phil Wisdom and Thorne Nogar. January - February 1957.
Dolores Hart and Elvis Presley in Loving You.
Musicians:
Guitars: Scotty Moore, Tiny Timbrell, Elvis Presley. Bass: Bill Black. Drums: D.J. Fontana. Piano: Dudley Brooks, Gordon Stoker, Hoyt Hawkins. Harmonica: George Fields. Vocals: The Jordanaires.
Buy Loving You FTD Special; Edition CD
Buy Loving You DVD
An Interview with Mother Dolores Hart
The King and I: Star-Turned-Nun Tells All in ‘God is the Bigger Elvis' [Dolores Hart]
Available from Loving You DVD
By Daniel Avram & David Troedson | April 2004.
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Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD
Never before have we seen an Elvis Presley concert from the 1950'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. + Plus Bonus DVD Audio.
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. Highly recommended.
Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley DVD Video with Sound.