“People ask me where I got my singing style. I didn't copy my style from anybody . . . . Country music was always an influence on my kind of music.”

12/11/2011 19:01:17

Four Elvis Presley movies currently in development Hollywood is shifting its focus to The King. After many years of the film industry trying to put together a biopic about Elvis Presley, it seems like the time has final come for the famous rock'n'roll musician to get his time on the big screen. The Hollywood Reporter is running a story about the many projects about Presley currently in development in Tinseltown. Most notable is the flick "Elvis & Nixon," which centers on an encounter between the singer and president in 1970. The film marks Cary Elwes' directorial debut, and currently has Eric Bana lined up to star as Elvis while Danny Huston will star as Nixon. But that is just one of four projects centered around The King currently at play. Steve Bing has long been trying to make a biopic about Presley with "American Idol" creator Simon Fuller. His flick, "Last Train to Memphis" (based on the biography of the same name), is currently set up at Fox 2000 and is expected to be a traditional biography. Then there's "The Identical," which focuses on an Elvis impersonator and "has a faith-based bent." And lastly there's "Fame & Fortune," which is based on a memoir by one of Presley's bodyguards and will be directed by "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" helmer John Scheinfeld. One of the problems in developing a movie based on Presley's life is the fact that Sony BMG has been protective about giving out the rights for Presley's music to filmmakers. But the company CKX, which acquired 85 percent of Presley's rights from his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, also has to approve all uses of his likenesses, and they are notoriously tightfisted as well. All in all, the process could get pretty pricey for prospective filmmakers. Only time will tell whether The King gets his time in the spotlight. But in all likelihood, what will end up happening is that all the projects will be greenlit at the same time, and then after 34 years since his death, the box office will be swamped with a deluge of Elvis projects. Which of the four films in development would you most like to see get made? Tell us in the comments section below or on Facebook and Twitter. http://www.ifc.com/news

50 years ago today: Elvis in 'Flaming Star'

October 23rd 1960: pricipal photography of the Elvis movie 'Flaming Star' is now officially completed in California. Flaming Star is a 1960 western film starring Elvis Presley, based on the book Flaming Lance (1958) by Clair Huffaker. It is said that Presley gave one of his best acting performances as the mixed-blood "Pacer Burton", a dramatic role. The film was directed by Don Siegel, and had a working title of Black Star.

Rehearsal with Red West for a fight scene

Elvis is pictured in rehearsal with Red West for a fight scene.The location is on the MGM lot in the trailor set .

 In the 'How Would You Like To Be' production number the same location can be viewed.
Notice the orange and bone coloured pillows/ cushions are in still in their exact same positions.

Roustabout - Paramount 1964 Colour 101 mins

Directed John Rich Writing Credits Allan Weiss (story), Anthony Lawrence Producer Hal Wallis Associate Producer Paul Nathan Production Manager Frank Caffey Technical Advisor Colonel Tom Parker Music Joseph J. Lilley Choreographer Earl Barton Hair Style supervisor Nellie Manley Technicolor and Techniscope Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Charlie Rogers, Barbara Stanwyck.... Maggie Morgan, Joan Freeman .... Cathy Lean, Leif Erickson .... Joe Lean, Sue Ane Langdon .... Madame Mijanou, Pat Buttram .... Harry Carver, Joan Staley .... Marge, Dabbs Greer .... Arthur Nielsen, Steve Brodie .... Fred, Norman Grabowski.... Sam, Jack Albertson .... Lou, Jane Dulo .... Hazel

Girl Happy - MGM 1965 Colour 96 mins

Directed: Boris Sagal Writing Credits: Harvey Bullock, R.S. Allen Music: George Stoll Vocal Backgrounds by: The Jordanaires Art Director: George W Davies and Addison Hehr Assistant Director: Jack Alworth Technical Advisor: Colonel Tom Parker Make Up Supervisor: William Tuttle Hair Styles: Sydney Guilaroff Recording Supervisor: Franklin Milton Panavision and Metrocolor Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Rusty Wells, Shelley Fabares .... Valerie Frank, Harold Stone .... Big Frank, Gary Crosby .... Andy, Joby Baker .... Wilbur, Nita Talbot .... Sunny Daze, Mary Ann Mobley .... Deena, Fabrizio Mioni .... Romano, Jimmy Hawkins .... Doc, Jackie Coogan .... Sergeant Benson, Peter Brooks .... Brentwood von Durgenfeld, John Fiedler .... Mr. Penchill, Chris Noel .... Betsy, Lyn Edgington .... Laurie, Gale Gilmore .... Nancy

Harum Scarum (aka Harem Holiday) - MGM 1965 Colour 95 mins

Directed: Gene Nelson Writing Credits: Gerald Drayson Adams Producer: Sam Katzman Musical Score: Fred Karger Choreography: Earl Barton Metrocolor and Panavision   Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Johnny Tyronne, Mary Ann Mobley .... Princess Shalimar, Fran Jeffries .... Aishah, Michael Ansara .... Prince Dragna, Jay Novello .... Zacha, Philip Reed .... King Toranshah, Theodore Marcuse.... Sinan, Billy Barty .... Baba, Dirk Harvey .... Makar, Jack Constanzo .... Julna, Larry Chance .... Captain Herat, Barbara Werle .... Leilah, Brenda Benet .... Emerald, Gail Gilmore .... Sapphire, Wilda Taylor .... Amethyst

Frankie and Johnny - United Artists 1966 Colour 87 mins

Directed Frederick De Cordova Writing Credits Alex Gottlieb Producer Edward Small Story Nat Perrin Associate Producer Alex Gottlieb Music Fred Karger Technicolor Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Johnny, Donna Douglas .... Frankie, Harry Morgan .... Cully, Sue Ane Langdon .... Mitzi, Nancy Kovack .... Nellie Bly, Audrey Christie .... Peg, Robert Strauss .... Blackie, Anthony Eisley .... Braden, Joyce Jameson .... Abigail

Paradise Hawaiin Style - Paramount 1966 Colour 91 mins

Directed Michael Moore Writing Credits Anthony Lawrence, Allan Weiss Producer Hal Wallis Associate Producer Paul Nathan Assistant Producer Jack Saper Assistant Director James Rosenberger Technical Advisors Howard Anderson and Colonel Tom Parker Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Rick Richards, Suzanna Leigh .... Judy Hudson (Friday), James Shigeta .... Danny Kohana, Donna Butterworth.... Jan Kohana, Mariana Hill .... Lani Kaimana, Irene Tsu .... Pua, Linda Wong .... Lehua Kawena, Julie Parrish .... Joanna, Jan Shepard .... Betty Kohana, John Doucette .... Donald Belden, Philip Ahn .... Moki Kaimana, Mary Treen .... Mrs. Belden, Grady Sutton .... Mr. Cubberson

"Elvis Hollywood" Volume Two - STAR DVD Out Next Week!:  All "doubting" fans will see, this a BRANDNEW "must have" series, with lots and lots of new clips and improvements. This release continues where volume one ended, movie number five G.I. Blues, followed by the next four movies Flaming Star, Wild in the Country, Blue Hawaii and Follow That Dream. What's new? Let's name a few: -Most important improvement is that all clips for Follow That Dream have been re-done, since much better footage came available, and the original MONO versions are used, for historic content. - Clips for Wild in the Country are presented here for the first time (they have not been released on the "old" Hollywood series) -Can't Help Falling in Love is replaced by the record version, the same goes for Summer Kisses Winter Tears, Big Boots, Shoppin 'Around and Beach Boy Blues, so now all tracks are presented as on the original albums. All "rejected" clips are included in the bonus/deleted scenes section, and new alternate versions have been done, Frankfort Special fast version is hilarious, and looks like a real outtake, There's Always Me is a lovely new clip edited with Blue Hawaii footage, I'll Be There fits very well to the footage of Elvis visiting the man who wrote and recorded the song, Moonlight Swim has some behind the scenes footage of Elvis on the set of Blue Hawaii and there is a portion of an outtake of Didja Ever! As on volume one, this dvd ELVIS HOLLYWOOD Volume Two is a DUAL LAYER and has full animated menus with sound.

29 Unreleased Video-Clips - All Updated Sound And Footage - A total 75 Video Clips Total Running time is 160 minutes! With this new release, fans will see where the series is going, and that they're not "re-buying" the same dvds as previously released. This new series will have seven volumes, including all 33 movies in chronological order.

Stay Away Joe - MGM 1968 Colour 102 mins

Directed Peter Tewksbury Writing Credits Michael A. Hoey (based on the novel Stay Away Joe by Dan Cushman) Producer Douglas Laurence Photography Fred Koenekamp A.S.C. Panavision and Metrocolor   Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Joe Lightcloud, Burgess Meredith.... Charlie Lightcloud, Joan Blondell .... Glenda Callahan, Katy Jurado .... Annie Lightcloud, Thomas Gomez .... Grandpa, Henry Jones .... Hy Slager, L.Q. Jones .... Bronc Hoverty, Quentin Dean .... Mamie Callahan, Anne Seymour .... Mrs. Hawkins, Douglas Henderson.... Congressman Morrissey, Angus Duncan .... Lorne Hawkins, Michael Lane .... Frank Hawk, Susan Trustman .... Mary Lightfoot, Warren Vanders .... Hike Bowers, Buck Kartalian .... Bull Shortgun

Speedway - MGM 1968 Colour 94 mins

Directed Norman Taurog Writing Credits Phillip Shuke Producer Douglas Laurence Panavision and Metrocolor Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Steve Grayson, Nancy Sinatra .... Susan Jacks, Bill Bixby .... Kenny Donford, Gale Gordon .... R.W. Hepworth, William Schallert.... Abel Esterlake, Victoria Meyerink.... Ellie Esterlake, Ross Hagen .... Paul Dado, Carl Ballantine .... Birdie Kebner, Poncie Ponce .... Juan Medala, Harry Hickox .... The Cook, Christopher West.... Billie Jo, Beverly Hills .... Mary Ann, Harper Carter .... Ted Simmons, Bob Harris .... Lloyd Meadows, Michele Newman .... Debbie

Live A Little Love A Little - MGM 1968 Colour 90 mins

Directed by: Norman Taurog Writing Credits: Dan Greenburg, Michael A. Hoey (based on the novel Kiss My Firm But Pliant Lips by Dan Greenburg) Producer: Douglas Laurence Panavision and Metrocolor. Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Greg Nolan, Michele Carey .... Bernice, Don Porter .... Mike Lansdown, Rudy Vallee .... Louis Penlow, Dick Sargent .... Harry Baby, Sterling Holloway.... Milkman, Celeste Yarnall .... Ellen, Eddie Hodges .... Delivery Boy, Joan Shawlee .... Robbie's Mother, Mary Grover .... Miss Selfridge, Emily Banks .... RKC & P Receptionist, Michael Keller .... Art Director, Merri Ashley .... 1st Secretary, Phyllis Davis .... 2nd Secretary, Ursula Menzel .... Perfume Model

Charro - National General 1969 Colour 98 mins

Directed Charles Marquis Warren Writing Credits Frederick Louis Fox (story), Charles Marquis Warren A National General Production Overview Elvis Presley .... Jess Wade, Ina Balin .... Tracey, Victor French .... Vince, Barbara Werle .... Sara Ramsey, Solomon Sturges .... Billy Roy, Lynn Kellogg .... Marcie, James Sikking .... Gunner, Paul Brinegar .... Opie Keetch, Harry Landers .... Heff, Tony Young .... Lieut. Rivera, James Almanzar .... Sheriff Ramsey, Charles H. Gray .... Mody, John Pickard .... Jerome Selby, Garry Walberg .... Martin Tilford, Duane Grey .... Gabe

The Trouble With Girls (aka The Chautauqua) (aka The Trouble With Girls And How To Get Into It.) - MGM 1969 Colour 97 mins

Directed Peter Tewksbury Writing Credits Dwight V. Babcock (novel), Arnold Peyser Producer Lester Welch Panavision and Metrocolor Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Walter Hale, Marlyn Mason .... Charlene, Nicole Jaffe .... Betty, Sheree North .... Nita Bix, Edward Andrews .... Johnny, John Carradine .... Mr. Drewcolt, Anissa Jones .... Carol Bix, Vincent Price .... Mr. Morality, Joyce Van Patten.... Maude, Pepe Brown .... Willy, Dabney Coleman .... Harrison Wilby, Bill Zuckert .... Mayor Gilchrist, Pitt Herbert .... Mr. Perper, Anthony 'Scooter' Teague .... Clarence, Med Flory .... Constable

Change Of Habit - Universal International 1969 Colour 93 mins

Director William Graham Producer Joe Connelly Technicolor Cast Overview Elvis Presley .... Dr. John Carpenter, Mary Tyler Moore.... Sister Michelle Gallagher, Barbara McNair .... Sister Irene Hawkins, Jane Elliot .... Sister Barbara, Leora Dana .... Mother Joseph, Edward Asner .... Lieutenant Moretti, Robert Emhardt .... The Banker, Regis Toomey .... Father Gibbons, Doro Merande .... Rose, Ruth McDevitt .... Lily, Richard Carlson .... Bishop Finley, Nefti Millet .... Julio Hernandez, Laura Figueroa .... Desiree, Lorena Kirk .... Amanda, Virginia Vincent.... Miss Parker

Thats The Way It Is - MGM 1970 Colour 97 mins

Director Denis Sanders Producer Dale Hutchinson Panavision   Musicians James Burton Lead Guitar, John Wilkinson Rhythm Guitar, Charlie Hodge Rhythm Guitar, Jerry Scheff Bass, Glen Hardin Piano, Ronnie Tutt Drums, Millie Kirkham Vocal, Imperial Quartet Vocals, Sweet Inspirations Vocals

Excellent documentary on the Las Vegas Years. Includes rehearsal footage as well as live performance and some great scenes of Elvis and the guys clowning around on a tandem. Musical highlights include Just Can't Help Believin' and Elvis' version of Simon and Garfunkel's classic Bridge Over Troubled Water.

Elvis On Tour - MGM 1972 Colour 93 mins

Directed Robert Abel Producer Pierre Adidge Associate Producer Sidney Levin Metrocolor The Band James Burton .... Lead Guitar, John Wilkinson .... Rhythm Guitar, Glen D. Hardin .... Piano, Charlie Hodge .... Guitar and Vocal, Jerry Scheff .... bass guitar, Ronnie Tutt .... Drums, Sweet Inspirations.... Backing Vocals, J.D Sumner & Stamps Quartet .... Backing Vocals, Kathy Westmoreland .... Backing Vocals, Orchestra conducted by Joe Guercio. Elvis' Assistants Vernon Presley, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, Sonny West, Red West, James Caughley, Lamar Fike, Marvin Gamble.

The film begins very excitingly with Elvis singing Johnny B. Goode over the credits and this opening sequence is the best in any Elvis film using the multiple image effect. Elvis is filmed arriving at the auditoriums, waiting nervously backstage and then appearing on stage to rapturous welcomes.

The multiple image effect is used to great effect throughout the whole film. Part of several concerts are shown, interspersed with rare footage of the first Ed Sullivan Show, Army induction, Elvis in his gold suit and other clips and stills.,

Elvis is seen recording Seperate Ways in the studio as well as being driven to and from concerts, running the gauntlet of his fans as he enters and exits hotels and concert halls.

In between shots of Elvis singing and kissing his fans, many kissing scenes from previous MGM movies are edited in and this makes for a very entertaining segment.

A lot of action is packed into the film with nostalgia and good music. Like the Elvis shows themselves it had to finish and the end of the film shows Elvis running offstage after Can't Help Falling In Love and into a waiting Limousine which carries him away. As the closing credits roll Memories is the perfect background music to the travelling and back stage scenes being shown. As the film fades theres a reprise of the shot of Elvis in the car smiling at some distant memory.

On Tour is a marvellous film capturing Elvis doing what he did best, singing for his fans. Like That's The Way It Is it will always be a cherished, favorite movie and a fitting memorial to the king.

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