From 1956 to 1969, Elvis Presley made 31 films, starring in all but one. That’s an extraordinary achievement, and it helped make him one of the wealthiest performers in Hollywood. But unfortunately, Elvis’ dream of being taken seriously as an actor and becoming a true movie star was never fulfilled, thanks to the almost insatiable greed and crass commercial instincts of his manager, Col. Tom Parker.
Media historian Brian Rose examines the ups and downs of Presley’s Hollywood career, which started off with such promise in films such as King Creole and Jailhouse Rock but concluded with dozens of cheap, mediocre movies like Harum Scarum and Paradise, Hawaiian Style that dimmed his creativity and his reputation during the 1960s. Rose also looks at the musical highlights of Presley’s movies, including “Love Me Tender,” “Return to Sender,” and “Viva Las Vegas.”
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