Netflix’sReturn of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presleyrevisits that period in Presley’s career when he was at a crossroads. Converted seven years previously from singer to movie star at the behest of his influential manager, Colonel Tom Parker, Presley was dissatisfied and restless.Elvis Presley’s movie roleshad become plastic, fake, and unreal, and he yearned to get back to singing again.With Elvis having taken the musical world by storm in 1956, Parker had been quick to capitalize on his new cash cow’s box-office looksand charisma and signed him up for his first movie,Love Me Tender.
The film was panned by critics, but adored by Presley’s legion of devoted and mostly female fans. Threemovies with Elvis Presley as an actordropped over the next two years, culminating inKing Creolein 1958, before Presley was drafted into the U.S. Army and shipped abroad. Honorably discharged in 1960,Presley expected to resume his singing career, but Parker had other ideas. He played upon Presley’s infatuation with James Dean and other serious actors to persuade him to concentrate on film-making, while recognizing thatElvis Presley’s film songs and soundtrackswould be huge sellers.
Elvis Presley Starred In 31 Movies During His Career
Many Were Panned By Critics; All Turned A Profit
Parker signed Presley up for modestly budgeted musical comedies.When, at Presley’s insistence, he attempted more serious roles, such asFlaming StarandWild in the Country,they were far less commercially successful, and so Presley was persuaded to revert to the formula. The 27 subsequent films were almost universally panned - critic Andrew Caine called them a “pantheon of bad taste”, but Parker knew that such was Presley’s magnetism, they would yield profits. Hall Wallis, who produced nine Presley films, declared, percinemaparadiso.co.uk, “A Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.” Presley made 31 movies in total.
1956
1957
1958
1960
Wild in the Country
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
Frankie and Johnny
1966
1967
1968
1969
Elvis Presley Also Appeared In Two Concert Movies
Scorsese’s Contribution ToElvis on TourWon The Film A Golden Globe
In addition to his movie releases,Presley made two documentaries heralding his return to the stage after his filmmaking hiatus.Elvis: That’s the Way It Is(1970) andElvis on Tour(1972) are two concert documentaries that featured Presley at his live-performance peak. Directed by Denis Sanders,That’s the Way It Isoffers a candid look at his Las Vegas residency, bringing together concert footage with intimate behind-the-scenes moments that humanize the great performer.
Elvis Presley: Everything We Know About The King Of Rock And Roll’s Death
Elvis Presley forever changed the landscape of popular music and his tragic passing also cemented his legacy as the King of Rock and Roll.
Two years later,Elvis on Tour, co-directed by Pierre Adidge and Robert Abel, took Presley’s touring life further. With Martin Scorsese contributing editing expertise, the documentary won a Golden Globe for Best Documentary.Scorsese’s involvement introduced innovative split-screen visual storytelling, filming Presley in rehearsals and travel sequences.Elvis on Tourportrays a more reflective artist, struggling with the demands of his fame, and presaging the troubles that would ultimately destroy him. The film gives a contrasting picture of Elvis Presley to that found InReturn of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley.
