Elvis Presley on film and television

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Template:Short description Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Redirect Template:Lead too long Template:Infobox artist list Elvis Presley was an American entertainer and Laurel Award-winning actor who achieved great initial success as a singer and stage performer. He publicly expressed an early career goal of following in the footsteps of his role models James Dean and Marlon Brando to become a top dramatic actor.<ref>Guralnick (1994), pp. 155–156, 443, 323.</ref> His manager Colonel Tom Parker's persistent lobbying of William Morris Agency president Abe Lastfogel for a Presley screen test paid off on March 26, 1956, when the singer auditioned at Paramount for a supporting role in The Rainmaker.<ref>Guralnick (1994), pp. 144, 241.</ref> Although not chosen for the part, he signed a contract with Paramount producer Hal Wallis on April 25 that also allowed him to make films with other studios.<ref>Guralnick (1994), p. 262; Guralnick and Jorgensen 1999, pp. 67, 127.</ref>

His feature debut was in Love Me Tender in 1956 for 20th Century Fox, which was the biggest acting debut of all time,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with the commercial success of the soundtrack EP being a bellwether for the next three Presley films, Loving You, Jailhouse Rock, and King Creole. Presley returned to acting after leaving the army in 1960, with G.I. Blues and a dramatic western Flaming Star. The popularity of his romantic musicals established a formula for the coming years, with Presley's films being credited as the start of the modern music video.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Presley experienced success as both a singer and an actor in these years, doing what was and remains unheard of with hit films at the box office, hit singles, and hit albums all at the same time.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Presley starred in 17 box office top-ten films between 1956 and 1965, with 17 number one singles and 8 number one albums in the same time period.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Presley was also landing hit films, singles, and albums all at the same time, in the same calendar year<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Over time, Presley became bitter that his hopes for dramatic roles were not coming to fruition,<ref>Guralnick 1999, p. 212.</ref> and after missing roles in West Side Story, Thunder Road, The Defiant Ones, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.<ref name="Turner">Template:Cite news</ref>

Many of the big stars of the sixties were jealous of Presley and this is one of the reasons why he stopped working with other leading actors, such as Steve McQueen.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Even the Beatles wanted to appear in a film with Presley, but this wasn't considered a good idea.Template:By who?<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Presley continued to be successful as a singer and actor at this time, with the soundtrack for the 1964 film Roustabout reaching number one on the Billboard 200 during Beatlemania.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Presley's 1965 film Tickle Me, saved the film studio Allied Artists from bankruptcy.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Tickle Me was the third highest-grossing film in the studio's history.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Allied Artists then went on to win numerous Academy Awards, although Presley was never credited or thanked. Presley reduced his million-dollar salary to just $750,000 to help the studio.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Presley's 1968 film Speedway, which is considered to be among the best NASCAR films ever made,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> credited with helping the popularity of NASCAR.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Presley stated that Clambake was his worst film and began to complain about the deteriorating quality of the films and his belief that his manager's objectives were more monetary than anything else.<ref>Guralnick 1999, p. 212; Neibaur (2014) pp. 217, 219.</ref> This resulted in a change to his acting career and a stop to the formula films in 1968, after which Presley starred in the comedy western Stay Away, Joe, the modern screwball comedy Live a Little, Love a Little, the dramatic western Charro!, and the social drama Change of Habit.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Charro! has been called the most convincing acting role of Presley's career <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Change of Habit was a major success that Presley's manager decided against being considered for Academy Awards, saying, "don't go buying no tuxedos."<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Change of Habit is also considered the best final film of any singer turned actor.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

At the expiration of all studio contracts, he returned to live entertaining and soon became the biggest star in Las Vegas history and on tour in America.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The two concert documentaries Elvis: That's the Way It Is in 1970 and Elvis on Tour in 1972 were the final theatrical releases for Presley.<ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), pp. 271, 305, 321.</ref> Both were among the most successful concert documentaries of their day, with Elvis on Tour winning prestige with a Golden Globe award and starting off the career of Martin Scorsese. Tom Parker opted against Elvis: That's the Way It Is being submitted for Oscars due to the academy's bias against Presley and because they would try to use his name for ratings and prestige.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Presley was the highest paid actor in Hollywood but said that he didn't need money to be successful<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and that no amount of money was necessary for him to take a good role. His films grossed $284 million<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Presley was paid 50% of those profits,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> making him the richest actor in Hollywood history.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He was also paid $250,000 royalties from each of his 17 soundtrack albums from the movies, giving Presley $4.2 million. Presley was in the Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll for seven years, making $1 million per film.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Of the roles Presley turned down, these included the John Wayne western True Grit. Presley was asked to play the role that Glen Campbell played, but top billing with John Wayne was contested.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Presley was considered for the leading role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory but was busy performing in Las Vegas.<ref name="Turner" />

It was expected for Presley to be paid his usual million-dollar salary to star in A Star Is Born. Although interested in the role, Presley was ultimately not hired as Parker believed Presley would not receive top billing, and attempted to negotiate a higher salary and percentage of the film's gross profits.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Presley's manager Colonel Tom Parker knew that Presley wanted to develop himself as an actor. And so, Parker turned down the role, not wanting to see Presley being overshadowed by Barbra Streisand.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This is considered to be one of the biggest missed opportunities in cinema history.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Presley did decide to produce, write and star a karate film called The New Gladiators, which was a true passion project for the actor and 8th degree black belt, although this remained unfinished at the time of his death and lost out on its classic status.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Over the years and with a reassessment of his acting career, roles in films like Charro!, Wild in the Country, Change of Habit, and Live a Little, Love a Little have led to Presley receiving high praise as an actor.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Many consider him to have been the best and most successful singer-actor in Hollywood history.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Presley also holds the distinction of all of his films making money at the box office.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Acting credits

Television

as himself
Year Title Notes Template:Abbr
1956 Stage Show 6 episodes at the CBS studios in New York City, NY: January 28, February 4, 11, 18, March 17, 24; Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey's show, produced by Jackie Gleason as a lead-in for his show <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), pp. 61–62, 65, 67; Guralnick (1994), pp. 236, 244–246, 249–252, 257.</ref>
Texaco Star Theatre 2 episodes: April 3 aboard the USS Hancock in San Diego, CA; June 5 NBC studios Los Angeles, CA <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), pp. 67, 73.</ref>
Teenage Dance Party June 16; hosted by Wink Martindale, WHBQ-TV Memphis, TN (interview only) <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), p. 75.</ref>
Hy Gardner Calling July 1 television interview, WRCA-TV, New York City, NY (interview only) <ref name= GJ77>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), p. 77.</ref>
Template:Sort July 1; NBC, New York City, NY
1956–57 Template:Sort 3 episodes: September 9, October 28, 1956; January 6, 1957, CBS New York City, NY <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), pp. 83, 89, 95.</ref>
1960 Template:Sort Taped March 26, in Miami, FL; aired on ABC May 12 <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), pp. 151, 154.</ref>
1968 Elvis: The 1968 Comeback Special Also known as One Night With You; June taping at NBC Los Angeles, CA; air date December 3 <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), pp. 242–248, 251.</ref>
1973 Aloha from Hawaii Via Satellite Kui Lee Cancer Fund benefit concert at Honolulu's Neal S. Blaisdell Center broadcast by NBC world-wide January 14 <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), pp. 319–321.</ref>
1977 Elvis in Concert The last concert tour before Presley died; broadcast by CBS after his death; has never been re-broadcast or officially released on home video <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen 1999 p. 375.</ref>

Film

Year Title Role Studio Notes Template:Abbr
1956 Love Me Tender Clint Reno 20th Century Fox First feature film role. Caused a protest among fans at the film's premiere when they learn that Presley's character dies at the end of the film, triggering an alternate ending. Includes the song "Love Me Tender". <ref>Guralnick (1994), p. 311; Marsh (1982), p. 241.; {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

1957 Loving You Jimmy Tompkins (Deke Rivers) Paramount Pictures <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999) p. 96; Guralnick (1994), pp. 344, 370; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Jailhouse Rock Vince Everett MGM Added to the National Film Registry in 2004. Title song listed at #24 in AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}; Knowles (2013), pp. 97–108; Guralnick (1994), pp. 409–410; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>

1958 King Creole Danny Fisher Paramount Pictures Banned in Mexico after a riot ensued at the Las Americas cinema in Mexico City, where the movie had its premiere. Final film before military service. <ref name=Note1>In a 1992 interview King Creole co-star Jan Shepard told historian Peter Guralnick that Elvis told her in 1965, "Honey, that was my favorite picture."

Guralnick 1999, p. 209; Guralnick (1994), p. 442; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>

1960 G.I. Blues Tulsa McLean Grammy nominated soundtrack album. Banned in Mexico after a similar riot took place, also at the Las Americas cinema in Mexico City. All further Elvis films banned as a result, with the restriction being lifted in 1971. <ref>Guralnick (1999), p. 28; Marsh (1982), p. 241; {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Flaming Star Pacer Burton 20th Century Fox A single film still from the film was used by Andy Warhol in 26 of his silkscreen paintings, eight of which are known to have garnered US$375 million at auction and in private sales. The paintings include Triple Elvis and Eight Elvises. <ref>Neibaur (2014) p. 64; Guralnick (1999), p. 78; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
1961 Wild in the Country Glenn Tyler <ref>Guralnick (1999), p. 84; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Blue Hawaii Chad Gates Paramount Pictures Grammy nominated soundtrack album <ref>Lisanti (2012), p. 60; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
1962 Follow That Dream Toby Kwimper Mirisch Company <ref>Marsh (1982), p. 241; {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Kid Galahad Walter Gulick / Kid Galahad <ref>Marsh (1982), p. 241; {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Girls! Girls! Girls! Ross Carpenter Paramount Pictures <ref>Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
1963 It Happened at the World's Fair Mike Edwards MGM Filmed at the Seattle World's Fair <ref>Neibaur (2014) pp. 120, 123; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Fun in Acapulco Mike Windgren Paramount Pictures Filmed in Acapulco by the 2nd unit crew with an Elvis double as his stand-in, as Elvis was persona non grata in Mexico in November 1962, with filming resuming in Hollywood in January 1963 at Paramount, where Elvis filmed his own scenes in the studio in front of a screen showing scenes filmed earlier at the Mexican location. The movie was not shown in Mexico, whose government only lifted its Presley ban in the summer of 1971, when Elvis: That's the Way It Is opened outside the US. <ref>Guralnick (1999), p. 141; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
1964 Kissin' Cousins Josh Morgan / Jodie Tatum MGM Featured Presley in a dual role. Filmed after Viva Las Vegas <ref>Guralnick (1999), pp. 155–159; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Viva Las Vegas Lucky Jackson Laurel Award nominated Best Actor. Filmed before Kissin' Cousins <ref>Guralnick (1999), pp. 152–153; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Roustabout Charlie Rogers Paramount Pictures Elvis did his own stunts for the film and was badly injured in a motorcycle crash. He hid the accident from his manager and made sure it was included in the film before this was found out. Elvis was too valuable and actor to be insured. <ref>Rose (1996), p. 270; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
1965 Girl Happy Rusty Wells MGM <ref>Lisanti (2012), p. 203; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Tickle Me Lonnie Beale / Panhandle Kid Allied Artists Laurel Award winner Best Actor <ref>Templeton, Craig (2002), p. 91; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Harum Scarum Johnny Tyronne MGM <ref>Neibaur (2014) p. 184 ; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
1966 Frankie and Johnny Johnny United Artists <ref>Neibaur (2014) p. 187; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Paradise, Hawaiian Style Rick Richards Paramount Pictures <ref>Lisanti (2000) pp. 135–137 ; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Spinout Mike McCoy MGM <ref>Neibaur (2014) p. 207; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
1967 Easy Come, Easy Go Lt. (j.g.) Ted Jackson Paramount Pictures Filmed after Double Trouble <ref>Neibaur (2014) p. 200; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Double Trouble Guy Lambert MGM Filmed before Easy Come, Easy Go <ref>Neibaur (2014) pp. 213–214 ; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Clambake Scott Heyward United Artists <ref>Neibaur (2014) pp. 219–220; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
1968 Stay Away, Joe Joe Lightcloud MGM Filmed after Speedway <ref>Gulick (2006), pp. 143–144; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Speedway Steve Grayson Filmed in part at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, with various NASCAR drivers of the day contributing. Filmed before Stay Away, Joe <ref>Neibaur (2014) p. 229; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Live a Little, Love a Little Greg Nolan <ref>Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999) pp. 239–240; Marsh (1982), p. 241; {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

1969 Charro! Jess Wade National General <ref>Neibaur (2014) p. 242; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
Template:Sort Walter Hale MGM <ref>Ellroy, Penzler (2011), p. 63; Marsh (1982), p. 241; {{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Change of Habit Dr. John Carpenter Universal Final feature film role. <ref>Neibaur (2014) p. 253; Guralnick (1999), pp. 338–339; Marsh (1982), p. 241.</ref>
1970 Elvis: That's the Way It Is Himself MGM Concert documentary <ref name="Marsh241">Marsh (1982), p. 241; Guralnick, Jorgensen (1999), pp. 315, 321.</ref>
1972 Elvis on Tour Concert documentary, co-winner Golden Globe for Best Documentary 1972
1974 (released 2002) New Gladiators Karate Expert Cop Film & Documentary <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
1981 This Is Elvis Himself Warner Documentary <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2018 Elvis Presley: The Searcher Himself (archival documentary footage) HBO <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2023 Reinventing Elvis: The '68 Comeback MTV Studios/Paramount+ <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2024 The Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley Netflix <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

Home video

Year Title Studio Formats Template:Abbr
1977 The Story of Elvis Presley Burbank Video/RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video VHS 1990/1991 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
1984 Elvis Presley's Graceland Elvis Presley Enterprises/Congress Video Group VHS 1984/1985/1988/1997, DVD, 2xDVD 2008, streaming 2021 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
1985 Elvis: Memories Live Home Video/Vestron Video International/ElvisPresleyShop.com VHS 1985/1986, DVD <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
Elvis: One Night with You Elvis Presley Enterprises/HBO/RCA Records/Media Home Entertainment/Warner Home Video VHS 1989/1992/2000, DVD 2000 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
1987 Elvis '56 Lightyear Entertainment/BMG Video/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment VHS 1987, DVD 1997/2004/2006/2009/2012/2017, streaming 2020 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
Elvis: His Life and Times Elvis Presley Enterprises/RayCom Video Ent. VHS 1993 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
1989 The Milton Berle Show: The Lost Elvis Amvest/Hotline Sales/BMG Models VHS 1989, DVD 2003, streaming 2017 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
1990 Elvis: The Great Performances, Vol. 1-3 Elvis Presley Enterprises/Andrew Solt Prods./Rhino Home Video/Buena Vista Pictures/SOFA Entertainment VHS 1990/1992/1996/1997, DVD 2002/2010/2011/2018, streaming 2020 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
1992 Elvis: The Lost Performances MGM/UA Home Entertainment VHS/DVD <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
1993 Biography - Elvis Aaron Presley: Story of a Legend A&E Home Video VHS 1998, DVD 2005, streaming 2020 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
Elvis in Hollywood Elvis Presley Enterprises/Sony Legacy/BMG Special Products VHS/DVD <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
1995 Elvis: Touch the Dream, a New Generation Elvis Presley Enterprises/Raycom Media/Turner Classic Movies Broadcast <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2000 He Touched Me: The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley, Vol. 1 & 2 Coming Home Music/EMI/Gaither Music Group/Chordant 2xVHS 2000, 2xDVD 2000/2005, streaming 2020 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2001 Classic Albums: Elvis Presley EagleVision/Qello Concerts VHS/DVD 2002, streaming 2016 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2002 Elvis: His Best Friend Remembers Proletariat Filmworks/MCA/Universal Pictures VHS/DVD 2002, streaming 2018 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2005 Elvis by the Presleys Elvis Presley Enterprises/CBS/RCA Records/Sony BMG/Sony Legacy/Cineverse 2xDVD, streaming <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2006 Elvis: The Ed Sullivan Shows Elvis Presley Enterprises/Image Entertainment 3xDVD 2006/2009, streaming 2020 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
Elvis: Classic Performances Elvis Presley Enterprises/Coda Publishing Ltd. DVD 2006, streaming 2012 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2007 Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert, 'Live' from Memphis Elvis Presley Enterprises/Coming Home Music/EMI/Gaither Music Group/Chordant DVD 2007/2012, streaming 2007 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
Elvis: #1 Hit Performances Elvis Presley Enterprises/Sony BMG/Sony Legacy DVD 2007/2011, streaming 2020 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2008 Elvis: #1 Hit Performances & More, Vol 2 DVD 2008, streaming 2020 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2009 Elvis: Love Me Tender - The Love Songs Coming Home Music/EMI Music DVD 2009 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>
2011 Elvis: Summer of '56 Stuart Goldman Company/Image Entertainment/Docubay DVD 2011/2015/2021, streaming 2024 <ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

See also

References

Template:Reflist

Bibliography

Template:Elvis Presley

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