Deke Rivers

Just taking care of business and following that dream. Asks are open.

[deke-rivers-1957]

Masterlist

Plenty of content to read!

Film Reviews - Will be updated as I go.

Love Me Tender - A poor attempt to give Elvis his first role. GI Blues - Elvis’ first film post army demonstrates why he was still relevant. Loving You - My personal favorite film that I reviewed so far. Girl Happy - The first film reflecting the decline in production quality. Jailhouse Rock - The most iconic Elvis film. Paradise, Hawaiian Style - Drums of the Islands alone makes it worth the watch. Clambake - The character writing actually makes up for a lack in production quality and song padding. Roustabout - A mind boggling combination of great songs and awful writing. Wild In The Country - With multiple writers there was no glue holding the script book together. Kissin’ Cousins - Somehow the most balanced movie of good and bad elements. Kid Galahad - An underrated Elvis movie that deserves a lot more attention. It Happened at the World's Fair - A great concept that's a nightmare to execute well. Change Of Habit - The final Elvis movie that's very inconsistent in tone and poorly attempts to take on the 1969 political climate. Girls! Girls! Girls! - A very refreshing story even though it's overloaded with poorly spaced songs. Charro! - Very good scenery and character acting brought down by easily avoidable plot holes. Fun In Acapulco - Good premise but just doesn't do enough to stand out. Blue Hawaii - "They had us in the first half not gonna lie" but as a positive. Tickle Me - Awful title but a quite humorous low budget film that falls short in the romance department. Flaming Star - A tragically flawed story that ends as suddenly as Pacer's life. Harum Scarum - For a movie that has a lot going on, not even Elvis can find it in himself to care about anything. King Creole - A movie that best showcases how it can have a great story and be an Elvis vehicle. Speedway - An Elvis vehicle that could’ve been good but unfortunately hit the creative wall. Frankie & Johnny - The romance is a little too messy but this ship of a movie didn't sink because of it. Double Trouble - So many characters, so little connections and so little development. Viva Las Vegas - A romance as rushed as the writers who wrote it with no substance. The Trouble With Girls - A movie that felt uninspired and lacked direction after a decade in production hell. Easy Come Easy Go - A rare treasure that nearly sunk from its dated references. Live A Little, Love A Little - A clunky title for a clunky story. Stay Away Joe - This movie did not need to be over 100 minutes. Spinout - The title perfectly matches the film's quality. Follow That Dream - A simple yet rich story with very compelling characters.

ECU Bio Cards/ Fighting Tier List - Canon to the movies only

Clinton Reno Bio Card - The first bio card and has been revised to look cleaner. Deke Rivers Bio Card - Half of this is my profile pic. Vince Everett Bio Card - The hardest one to make a head canon for. Kung Fu Elvis Part 1 - Tier list covers LMT through Girl Happy. Vince Everett's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Vince would rank in a fight. Danny Fisher Bio Card - Experimented with adding color gradients. Rick Richards' Rank - An individual breakdown of where Rick would rank in a fight. Tulsa McLean's Bio Card - The entire background was colored with a trackpad. Pacer Burton's Bio Card - The background was edited using Canva's ai editor. Glenn Tyler's Bio Card - The entire background was edited using Canva's ai editor. Scott Heyward's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Scott would rank in a fight. Chadwick (Chad) Gates' Bio Card - Experimented with layering. Toby Kwimper's Bio Card - My favorite one. Walter Gulick's Bio Card - Stylized like a boxing poster. Charlie Rogers' Rank - An individual breakdown of where Charlie would rank in a fight. Kung Fu Elvis Part 2 - Covers JR through Roustabout. Ross Carpenter’s Bio Card - An attempt to have a nautical theme. Glenn Tyler's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Glenn would rank in a fight. Josh Morgan and Jodie Tatum's Rank - An individual breakdown of where the cousins would rank in a fight. Walter Gulick's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Walter G. would rank in a fight. Mike Edwards' Rank - An individual breakdown of where Mike E. would rank in a fight. Kung Fu Elvis Part 3 - Covers WITC through IHATWF. Dr. John Carpenter's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Dr. Carpenter would rank in a fight. Mike Edwards' Bio Card - Experimented with filling in the empty spaces based on Sue-Lin having a flower on her hat. Ross Carpenter's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Ross Carpenter would rank in a fight. Jess Wade's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Jess Wade would rank in a fight. Mike Windgren's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Mike Windgren would rank in a fight. Kung Fu Elvis Part 4 - Covers COH through FIA. Mike Windgren’s Bio Card - I experimented with the formatting and color corrected the sky using a trackpad. Chadwick (Chad) Gates’ Rank - An individual breakdown of where Chad Gates would rank in a fight. Lonnie Beale's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Lonnie Beale would rank in a fight. Pacer Burton's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Pacer Burton would rank in a fight. Johnny Tyrone's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Johnny Tyrone would rank in a fight. Kung Fu Elvis Part 5 - Covers BH through HS. Jodie Tatum's Bio Card - I really wanted to make it monochromatic so his red shirt pops. Danny Fisher's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Danny Fisher would rank in a fight. Steve Grayson's Rank - A statement explaining why Steve wouldn't rank. Johnny's Rank - A statement explaining why Johnny wouldn't rank. Guy Lambert's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Guy Lambert would rank in a fight. Kung Fu Elvis Part 6 - Covers King Creole through DT. Lucky Jackson's Rank - A statement explaining why Lucky wouldn't rank. Walter Hale's Rank - A statement explaining why Walter wouldn't rank. Ted Jackson's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Ted Jackson would rank in a fight. Greg Nolan's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Greg Nolan would rank in a fight. Josh Morgan's Bio Card - The monochromatic blues contrast the jarring red and green scheme of Jodie's card. Joe Lightcloud's Rank - A statement explaining why Joe wouldn't rank. Mike McCoy's Rank - A statement explaining why Mike wouldn't rank. Toby Kwimper's Rank - An individual breakdown of where Toby Kwimper would rank in a fight. Kung Fu Elvis Part 7 - Covers Viva Las Vegas through FTD. Charlie Rogers's Bio Card - I really wanted to highlight the carnival theme. Lucky Jackson's Bio Card - I tried to do a checkered flag theme but couldn't make it work.

ECU High - An installment series that absolutely must be read in order

ECU High School AU Part 1 - Discusses Clint through Jodie. ECU High School AU Part 2 - Discusses Lucky through Dr. Carpenter. ECU High - Clint's Arrival - It's the first day of Clint's freshman year. ECU High - Deke's Adventure - Deke realizes that it's not always rainbows and butterflies in high school. ECU High - Vince's Attitude - Vince is a jerk and no one can stand him. ECU High - Danny's Ambition - Danny just wants to get out of poverty like the rest of the seniors. ECU High - Tulsa's Badge - Tulsa loves authority a little too much. ECU High - Pacer's Bereavement - Pacer and Clint become best friends. ECU High - Glenn’s Books - Glenn goes to therapy. ECU High - Chad's Business - Chad wants to open a Marina but doesn't know what he's doing. ECU High - Toby's Cool - Toby has a natural skill of dealing with highly emotional people. ECU High - Walter's Captaincy - Walter reflects on what makes a good quarterback and whether he's deserving such a position. ECU High - Ross' Challenge - Ross struggles to survive but things are starting to look up for him. ECU High - Mike's Circumstances - Mike Edwards feels wary about babysitting Sue-Lin when he has plans. ECU High - Mikey's Dare - Mike Windgren really needs his glasses no matter what he says. ECU High - Jodie's Deal - Jodie makes a deal with Coach Wade and Toby. ECU High - Josh Do-Right - Josh makes his mother upset and Jodie schools him. ECU High - Lucky's Due - Lucky proves he isn't egotistical like Vince.

Fanfics and One Shots - Includes AI Chats and non-canon stories

Everything that I've written so far can be seen here:

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Also if you would like to be tagged on a future movie review and have not yet down so this is the tag list I use as a guaranteed starting point.

If you want to still be on it, leave a note on this post! Tagging: @arrolyn1114, @thedaisymaisy, @that-hotdog, @peaceloveelvis, @imaginatio

[thetaoofzoe]

It's been a while. Take my poll

You never thought that you'd be out on the scrub land, alone, frightened and hungry. You meet three rough looking men on horseback at a cross roads. Each man offers you space on his saddle and the protection under his gun if you go with him. However, each one of them traveling in a different direction towards their home. Which one are you going with?

Pacer

Joe

Jess

Homeward bound with?

Pacer Burton

Joe Lightcloud

Jess Wade

Remaining time: 2 days 8 hours

I'm chuckling about this poll because I think I already know the winner. Have fun!

[deke-rivers-1957]

I had a whole night in the woods with Pacer in one fic. Thanks for posting!

[deke-rivers-1957]

Rainbow Elvis Part 5

Post your favorite Elvis pics that match a color of the rainbow.

BLUE

Tagging: @thrillofyourlove, @getyourpresleyfix, @elviscrazy, @lett-them-eatt-cake, @bigdaddyelvislover,

@epsdoll, @eapep, @elviswhereareyou, @bluestreisand, @presley72elvis,

@cryptoriawebb, @kat68, @xanatenshi, @miffygrits, @thetaoofzoe,

@mercsandmonsters, @mywoodenheart, @bellhoptears, @tupelomiss, @lissyrosie,

@almightybigbrain, @dallita, @pxwerofmylxve, @satninmiami, @jhoneybees,

@presleyslilbaby, @elvispresleysdearestfangirl, @the-wonder-of-ep, @kittyyaponia, @southcarolinawoman,

@cieloestrelladoluna, @galaxyprince, @meltdown555, @that-hotdog, @allofthenamesipickedweretaken,

@lucy114505, @elvispresley98fans, and @wildhorseinkansas.

[deke-rivers-1957]

Elvis Media

Reblog by @talesfromthecrypts

💬 8  🔁 18990  ❤️ 21941 · And here is where you can get them! (mostly American) Diabolikdvd Grindhouse Video Deep Discount OrbitDVD Barn

This gives me the inspiration to make a masterlist of where you can buy Elvis dvds, package/combo packs, and if special features are included.

Doing my reviews was an interesting experience because sometimes you could find them on a site like Youtube or Tubi for free, buy/rent them, or go on some third party-pirating site. Since availability online is not 100% reliable, I want to see which movies are easier to find physical media of.

Let me know what you think of this idea.

[deke-rivers-1957]

Mystery Train Review

An independent film financed by a Japanese production company with a triptych story format, does Mystery Train provide a fascinating blend of stories? Or does the format act a distraction to what otherwise would've been an emotional story? Let's find out.

I love how we get a foreign perspective of Elvis in Far From Yokohama. Despite never traveling there even for a vacation, Elvis became very popular in Japan. I'll skip the history lesson as to how that came to be, but his Aloha From Hawaii broadcast would've been a main contributor to his popularity amongst young people. Given that this is a young couple, it's not much of a stretch to assume the young woman saw the broadcast as a child and became a fan.

Because this was filmed in Memphis, you get to see how the town actually looked. Yes they showed Sun Studios but this couple had to walk down residential streets just to get there. The regular streets are so run down that you would've thought you were in the Rust Belt. By not going to Graceland, the movie doesn't lose itself in the glitz and glamor of fame. It focuses on what living in Memphis would really be like.

This couple sitting in front of the Elvis Statue while they compare Memphis to Yokohama is beautiful. It really highlights a foreign perspective by demonstrating how in some ways Yokohama and Memphis are not that different.

When they arrive at the hotel, you at first think there would be a joke about how this couple doesn't speak English well. But there isn't. Yes there's a language barrier but it's handled respectfully. The hotel staff patiently wait for them to make a decision. Even when the young woman hands the bellhop a plum, he just accepts it.

I just love the woman's book about Elvis. She has multiple pictures of his face next to statues/sculptures throughout history. She even compared Madonna to Elvis. Her boyfriend meanwhile doesn't see it. He doesn't get her appreciation for Elvis as he prefers other contemporaries such as Carl Perkins.

I admit that I wasn't expecting a sex scene but I think it works. Jun and Mitsuko are trying to find a common ground despite their tastes in music. I don't speak Japanese but I had subtitles on to see that Mitsuko mentioned how they only made love 11 times. Perhaps it's speculation on my part but that tells me this is still a new couple. They're still learning about each other's interests. Even when Jun wants to take the hotel towels, there's an argument about Mitsuko's t-shirts making him unable to pack it in their trunk. Then they hear a gunshot. Given that Japan is wildly different from America, I can understand their concern.

A Ghost starts off in a completely different direction. A woman's husband just died so she has to work with the Memphis airport to sign paperwork allowing her to send his body back to Italy. Since the next flight to Rome won't be until the next day she has to find a place to stay in Memphis. As she walks through town, she gets upsold at a magazine corner store and meets a stranger in a diner. He tells her a story about how he picks up a hitchhiker that looked exactly like a young Elvis Presley. Naturally she doesn't believe a word of it. I do not blame her since this stranger really walks up to her and sits down at the table uninvited. He even got $20 from her and left her with the tab.

Just when I thought this was going to take a very dark turn, the new widow walks into the same hotel we saw in Far From Yokohama. A young woman is about to leave because of how expensive the room is when an agreement is made: the two ladies can share the room for $22. So they share the room and the young woman info-dumps onto the widow that her boyfriend is British and has the nickname Elvis.

Just as the widow tells her the story about Elvis's ghost hitchhiking, the young woman hears Mitzuko from the next room. The radio playing Domino indicates that it's definitely meant to be around the time of the sex scene from Far From Yokohama. Blue Moon playing as Elvis's ghost appeared was such a good choice. In the middle of the night, it sounds haunting. Perfect mood for his ghost to arrive. Even though he doesn't have this profound message from the other side, the fact that he appeared at all was a sign. The fact that it was even a young Elvis wearing all gold shows that there was some truth to the stranger's story.

In the morning, the widow, Luisa, gives the young woman, Dee Dee $200 to help her get back on her feet. They hear the same gunshot from Far From Yokohama. We still don't know what that's from but it's obvious we will find out in the 3rd story. I'm not sure exactly what the ghost of Elvis was meant to represent, but at the same time maybe it's a good thing to keep it vague. Simply showing that Elvis's ghost really does exist is enough to demonstrate that his presence isn't just tied to Graceland but spreads to Memphis as a whole. Perhaps in a way when Luisa puts her ring in her purse, she took it as a sign that everything will be alright. That her husband is alright in the beyond too.

Lost In Space introduces us to Dee Dee's boyfriend Johnny. He's drunk and angry because he supposedly lost his job. His friend Eddie calls Will to get Dee Dee's brother Charlie so they can make sure Johnny doesn't shoot up the bar. He does end up shooting the owner of another liquor store. That's when Charlie finds out Dee Dee walked out on Johnny.

I'll take the time now to talk about the talent they got for this film. Big named artists like Screamin' Jay Hawkins as the night clerk, and Rufus Thomas as that man from the train station asking for a light give the film flavor as it represents the impact black music and black culture had on not only Elvis's music but Memphis as a whole. Then to contrast they had Joe Strummer of The Clash who was going solo and a young Steve Buscemi who had yet to make big. It really showed how the old and the new come together in a small environment.

We get the explanation behind the story being called Lost In Space. Will's full name is Will Robinson and everyone makes fun of him because there was a character from that show with the same name. Charlie finds out that Johnny wasn't even married to Dee Dee. A scuffle breaks out when Johnny brings out his gun again. Charlie is shot. I'm amazed more isn't done about it but at least we know where the gunshot came from.

The epilogue as a whole is a nice touch since we got to see what happened to the characters after they left the hotel. Dee Dee even meets up with Jun and Mitsuko asking if it's the train to Natchez only for her to misunderstand it as her needing "matches" to light a cigarette. The joke at the end where Johnny, Will and Charlie rush off in the car because they think the cops are after them only for it be something unrelated is kind of funny as well. They were so caught up in their personal argument that they forgot about the fact that Johnny shot the liquor store owner.

What stands out to me most about this film is how the hotel staff work in throughout the whole film. They work as a neutral party meant to tie the three stories together but also have their own personalities. Just the scene alone where they talk about their work uniforms shows a generational divide. The bellhop hates the uniform whereas the night clerk was giving him advice that while he has to do what he has to do to make a buck, he can still put his own style to it. It's good advice but also serves as a visual contrast to an otherwise dingy hotel lobby.

Mystery Train's ability to do a lot with very little is its biggest success. Elvis himself only has at most a couple minutes of screen time as a ghost but by having a picture of him in every room, you still feel his spirit throughout the film. He doesn't even say much either, yet the story's emotional momentum demonstrates the significance of just seeing him. Focusing on the foreign perspective also highlights this as it demonstrates how Memphis is both similar and different from their own home towns. It's the type of film that doesn't want to blow you away but still wants to tell a good story. I do think the movie's praise for Elvis insists upon itself. A non-Elvis fan wouldn't really understand why he's that magical compared to an Elvis fan so I do think it could've done a better job bridging that gap. As an Elvis fan I still think it's a good film so it's an 8/10.

Shout out to @thetaoofzoe for watching this film with me. If anyone wants to suggest a film or join me in a watch party for a film just leave a note down below.

Tagging: @fabrygeimsdin, @kat68, @dallita, @almightybigbrain, @atleastpleasetelephone,

@cherryprincessqueen, @if-icon-dream, @eapeap, @mrspresley69, @mrpresley,

@hooked-on-elvis, @miffygrits, @sodaspot, @mercsandmonsters, @xanatenshi,

@kittyyaponia @tupelomiss, and @bellhoptears.

[deke-rivers-1957]

Rusty Wells' Bio Card

If you want to request a bio card for an Elvis character I haven't already done or would like to be tagged, leave a note down below.

Tagging: @hooked-on-elvis, @eptodaytommorowforever, @almightybigbrain, @mercsandmonsters, @xanatenshi,

@thetaoofzoe, @tupelomiss, @dragonkingsdaughter, @beatlesdoll, @cryptoriawebb,

@freudianslumber, @bellhoptears, @elvistup77, @mooodyblue, @dallita,

@kat68, @stephanieedd, @missinghimsomuch, @wifetomanyfictionalmen, @prettylittledarlinggirl,

@pinkcaddyconfessions, @dreamingofep, @claire-elvisgirl, @eapep, @scarlettlight06,

@your-nanas-house, @sillybookmarks, @somethingaboutelvis, @thelonelyheart, @theelvisprincess,

@thelonelyheart, @elviswhereareyou, @i-r-i-n-a-a, @jhoneybees, and @just-another-boring-bisexual.

[deke-rivers-1957]

Rainbow Elvis Part 4

Post your favorite Elvis pics that match a color of the rainbow.

GREEN

Tagging: @thrillofyourlove, @getyourpresleyfix, @elviscrazy, @lett-them-eatt-cake, @bigdaddyelvislover,

@epsdoll, @eapep, @elviswhereareyou, @bluestreisand, @presley72elvis,

@cryptoriawebb, @kat68, @xanatenshi, @miffygrits, @thetaoofzoe,

@mercsandmonsters, @mywoodenheart, @bellhoptears, @tupelomiss, @lissyrosie,

@almightybigbrain, @dallita, @pxwerofmylxve, @satninmiami, @jhoneybees,

@presleyslilbaby, @elvispresleysdearestfangirl, @the-wonder-of-ep, @kittyyaponia, @southcarolinawoman,

@cieloestrelladoluna, @galaxyprince, @meltdown555, @that-hotdog, @allofthenamesipickedweretaken,

and @wildhorseinkansas.

[deke-rivers-1957]

Mystery Train

So I'm planning on reviewing this for next month since it was filmed in Memphis and uses Elvis as inspiration for the three storylines.

If you want to recommend a film or be tagged on the review, leave a note down below.

[hooked-on-elvis]

[deke-rivers-1957]

@xanatenshi.

[thetaoofzoe]

Caption this image.

[deke-rivers-1957]

If the media mentions Robert Goulet being with my girl Anita one more time.... I'm gonna shoot a tv.

[deke-rivers-1957]

Rainbow Elvis Part 3

Post your favorite Elvis pics that match a color of the rainbow.

ORANGE

Tagging: @thrillofyourlove, @getyourpresleyfix, @elviscrazy, @lett-them-eatt-cake, @bigdaddyelvislover,

@epsdoll, @eapep, @elviswhereareyou, @bluestreisand, @presley72elvis,

@cryptoriawebb, @kat68, @xanatenshi, @miffygrits, @thetaoofzoe,

@mercsandmonsters, @mywoodenheart, @bellhoptears, @tupelomiss, @lissyrosie,

@almightybigbrain, @dallita, @pxwerofmylxve, @satninmiami, @jhoneybees,

@presleyslilbaby, @elvispresleysdearestfangirl, and @southcarolinawoman.

[deke-rivers-1957]

Heartbreak Hotel Review

Made during an era where Elvis was alive was a valid conspiracy theory, does this movie have a legitimate story to tell? Or is it from a bygone era where Elvis is once again cheapened and commercialized? Let's find out.

Regardless of your opinion of the film after this opening title sequence, this opening title sequence is amazing. Using the real Elvis recording of "American Trilogy" while David Keith performs is so beautiful. It's 1972 and Elvis is majestic. I can totally see Baz Luhrmann using this as inspiration for the visuals of his Elvis biopic.

There is so much Elvis music that I won't be able to mention every single song that's used. I will shout out Tuesday Weld as Marie Wolfe since she actually got to be in an Elvis film. It was the 1961 film Wild In the Country as Noreen.

For what's supposed to be a silly film about kidnapping Elvis, we get domestic trouble. Marie is basically one of those women that brings home boyfriend after boyfriend while the kids (especially the teenaged son) just wants stability. She's written as being in the wrong for wanting her son to not comment on her life when really her son's shown as trying to actually be a man before his time. He's the responsible one who actually wants his little sister to be in a stable household. He's the one to walk his sister to school in the morning.

But he's still a teenager. He plays guitar in a band and is also the lead singer. Because this is the 80s you got the cool teenagers vs the square adults. They just don't get their music even when they try to have a clean image. What I like is that he objects to the decision but he doesn't turn into some edgy punk who starts egging cars.

It's interesting to have Tuesday Weld talk about how Elvis was and her sticking point was "watch how he treated women". Very interesting given that this was not that long after Priscilla's book Elvis and Me came out (which is infamous for highlighting his numerous affairs including Ann-Margret). But Johnny also brings up a good point that in 1972.... Elvis wasn't really in with the teenagers. Johnny is very much that kid who wanted gritty rock and roll which Elvis just didn't do. He was not Led Zeppelin. He was not Rolling Stones.

I'm amazed of all films they used real footage from, they used Loving You. That film is so underrated and hard to find physical media of. Marie talks about her and her now ex-husband's wedding anniversary and boils down the marriage failing to her not being able to recover his guitar. I just don't get that mentality since that implies the relationship was shallow anyway. Coupled with what Johnny said earlier about how if their dad wanted a family, he'd still be here, you have to wonder. It just seems that Marie is the role Tuesday Weld played in Wild In the Country but older. Her riding off with her boyfriend only to end up in the hospital only adds to it.

Johnny asking if things will ever become normal again hurts. He puts the burden of making Marie better on himself. That's just not ok. Marie's relationships with men are actively hurting her children. Johnny hitting her boyfriend because he hit her should not happen. He's her son. It's not his responsibility to take of her in this way. She's a fully grown woman who needs to take responsibility for her own actions. It only hurts more to know that despite all of that Johnny wants to kidnap Elvis if it'll make her happy. Like he's fully aware of the criminal consequences that come with such an act but is dead set on doing so while he's in Cleveland. So they get a local woman to impersonate Gladys and psychologically toy with him. I will say though that Rosie looks so much like Gladys, I'm amazed she didn't play her in other films.

This movie is very much in the "everybody wants to be Elvis but not everyone succeeds" era. David Keith noticeably sounds like someone doing a cheap impression of Elvis. I like it better at the beginning where his shots were from farther away. The close up shots just aren't cutting it. I do appreciate how they have Elvis reflect on how he did still want to be cool with the kids but the people around him said to not rock the boat. It's oversimplified but true in some way that his creative ventures were discouraged because it was too risky.

Like I said, David Keith as Elvis works when it's wide screen shots like this. You get the entire vibe of Elvis concerts including the crowd reactions. Women of all ages are into it while the boys are trying so hard not to fall asleep. That said, I do think David's vocals aren't that strong. I didn't expect that since Elvis did have a couple decades of practice to get that power. His rendition of "How Great Thou Art" when he's in the privacy of his hotel room was nice and generally a better fit since he doesn't have to project as much.

Seeing Elvis walk outside to see Rosie is I think actually ghoulish. I can only imagine what was going through his head during this. Because really the concept of this plan when you summarize it sounds insane. "We're gonna get this woman to dress like his long dead mother Gladys to lure him out of his hotel room. Once he's out we'll explain to him that he has to come with us to perform for my mom. If he doesn't say yes right away, we'll just use ether to knock him out. Who cares that it takes several minutes to kick in, this is all we have." Like I said. Insane. Given that he actually did have threatening letters, the hotel itself would have security everywhere. But whatever Elvis is in the pink cadillac.

Creative liberties aside, I'm amazed he stayed unconscious the entire ride. He's even asleep well after they get him inside the house. In real life there would be a real concern that Elvis is dead. Naturally he wakes up and is upset about it. But of course this is a fix-it fanfic where Johnny convinces Elvis that he's the key to proving he ain't washed. It's still unrealistic for him to call Colonel Parker and have Colonel just be fine with his boy taking time off unannounced.

Elvis taking any advice from a 17 year old boy is insane. At the same time, his plan to have Elvis look like how he did in the 50s while singing "Love Me" is a good one. David actually works better in this era even if he is a little too old. So naturally as soon as it comes out that he's at their house, everyone Johnny knows wants in on the action.

So just to prove that Marie's boyfriends only hurt her kids, Steve goes and attacks Johnny while his back is turned. Like Johnny even being out to get groceries alone to me isn't good parenting. He doesn't even use the car, he has to walk there and back. Marie doesn't even go out to look for him. Elvis does. She doesn't offer to go with him. Elvis takes more responsibility for Johnny than his own mother and Johnny KIDNAPPED HIM.

Also naturally Johnny starts to see Elvis as an actual father figure because he's 17 and for the love of god needs emotional stability in the home. I do think it's very heavy handed since Johnny went from ragging his style to suddenly seeking advice from him. I also refuse to believe Elvis could just fix the lawnmower Johnny had trouble with. Elvis wouldn't have to do that in decades and that lawnmower looked more "modern". Elvis not being recognized doesn't make sense either. He's just out and about without anything to change his appearance. This isn't even a Clark Kent/Superman situation where he just has glasses, Elvis is just walking around in suits.

Johnny's face to see his room be completely redesigned and have his stuff thrown out without his permission is priceless. But he's completely justified. Elvis just completely changed everything without giving Johnny any say like what he likes doesn't matter. No matter what Elvis will say to try to help it won't change the fact that he still crossed the line.

I do finally understand the Loving You reference earlier. It gets called back when Elvis does the exact same thing in the local diner. The dialogue is even almost beat for beat from the movie. I know this is meant to be what causes Johnny to change his tune but like... that doesn't negate what he did earlier. It's not in place of an actual apology which I think Johnny should've had. Because that would show Elvis actually took responsibility for what he did.

Elvis helping Pam overcome her fears is sweet. At the same though... unless he actually wants to be these kids stepfather this is not his responsibility. It's just not realistic to think that he can just do be involved like this and have no one in his circle find out. Like the whole town knows that he's here. He literally performed with Johnny at his high school talent show. It's so cliche because it if anything confirms that Elvis isn't washed as long as he plays his old songs from the 1950s. That isn't exactly a good message if you're Elvis because it still falls into the trap that he can't do anything new. Not just rehash his old material but actually do something new.

Since Elvis eventually goes back home, it just makes everything he does with Marie and her kids pointless. Also given what we know about Elvis.... him being faithful to her wouldn't last anyway. He'd just find some other woman to occupy his bed. But because this is basically glorified fanfiction, of course Marie is viewed as his one true love. His goodbye speech to Johnny is so not earned. He calls Johnny selfish and arrogant. Based on what he even did just to get Elvis, that alone is not true. And again the fact that it took Elvis to listen to a 17 year old about what's cool to get his mojo back... that's just sad. But whatever, we got a somewhat happy ending. And surprisingly the end credits show that Elvis's friend Jerry Schilling was the executive consultant. So naturally things were sanitized. That being said "If I Can Dream" playing over the end credits actually does give credence to what I said about actually doing something new. He stood up for something he believed in which any teen would respect. It's just a good example of what he should've done in the movie.

Siskel and Ebert as well as other critics panned the film. Ebert's original review even goes as far to call it the goofiest movie of the year. He even references the infamous biography by Albert Goldman which included disparaging remarks about Elvis and young girls. It's currently a 38% on Rotten Tomatoes with one review stating that they did not understand what the film was trying to accomplish since it does try to pull in multiple story lines.

That said, I did not hate this film. It's cheesy fanfiction and if anything should've stayed cheesy fanfiction. Was I upset about how the domestic stuff was handled? Yes. However, I have felt a lot more upset about other things previous films did. I don't know if I would call it boring or not but it's mid. Therefore it's a 5/10.

If you want to be tagged or want to leave a request for another Elvis related film, leave a note down below.

Tagging: @fabrygeimsdin, @kat68, @dallita, @almightybigbrain, @atleastpleasetelephone,

@mrspresley69, @mrpresley, @hooked-on-elvis, @miffygrits, @sodaspot,

@mercsandmonsters, @xanatenshi, @thetaoofzoe, @tupelomiss, and @bellhoptears.

[thetaoofzoe]

Best Stage Pose!

Don't be cruel and make me beg but, take my poll!

The Stretch

On his back

The cape spread

What tickles your fancy?

What tickles your fancy

The stretch

On his back

The cape spread

Voting ended onMay 4

[deke-rivers-1957]

This is exactly how I want to see Elvis on stage:

Hence why I used it in my rainbow Elvis post.

You're welcome ;)

[deke-rivers-1957]

Rainbow Elvis Part 2

Post your favorite Elvis pics that match a color of the rainbow.

YELLOW

Tagging: @miffygrits, @thetaoofzoe, @mercsandmonsters, @mywoodenheart, @bellhoptears,

@tupelomiss, @lissyrosie, @almightybigbrain, @dallita, @pxwerofmylxve,

@satninmiami, @jhoneybees, @presleyslilbaby, @elvispresleysdearestfangirl, and @southcarolinawoman.

[eapep]

a note that Vernon wrote Gladys while he was in prison, asking about baby Elvis 🥹

Friday

Dear Gladys

I will [right] you a few lines to let you know am alright

Hope you are the same

I was glad to hear that the baby was better

I hope he is all right

😭

can’t make out the rest of it, but if anybody else can please tell us

[deke-rivers-1957]

It's from the Peter Gurlanick book "Elvis Day By Day". Do you have a copy @eapep?

If you prefer sectioned tidbits in chronological order as opposed to a traditional biography, this is up your alley.

Thanks to a Facebook user we have a better idea of what was written.

The King Of Rock Elvis Presley

Elvis -The Tupelo Years/Part 3 It was in the late fall of 1935. Both, Gladys and Vernon centered their lives on the nine-month-old thriving

“Dear Gladys,

I will write you a few lines to let you no I am alright, hope you all the same. I was glad to here that the baby was better, I hope he is alright now. You all come this 3rd Sunday if you can and tell Mr. powel to come to. I want to tell him something. Well I will close answer soon with love

Vernon"

[langblrwhy]

reblog to pet the sad cat 　　　　　　 ＿＿ 　　　　　／＞　　フ 　　　　　|  　_　 _ l 　 　　　／` ミ＿xノ 　　 　 /　　　 　 | 　　　 /　 ヽ　　 ﾉ 　 　 │　　|　|　| 　／￣|　　 |　|　| 　| (￣ヽ＿_ヽ_)__) 　＼二つ

[deke-rivers-1957]

[deke-rivers-1957]

Rainbow Elvis

Post your favorite Elvis pictures that match a color of the rainbow.

Red

If you like yellow let me know how you get the font color for that to work.

Tagging: @mercsandmonsters, @xanatenshi, @arrolyn1114, @tupelomiss, @almightybigbrain,

@bellhoptears, @mrpresley, @mywoodenheart, @miffygrits, @moodyblue72,

@prettylittledarlinggirl, @lovininapinkcadillac, @swingdownsweetchariot, @vintagepresley, @gayforelvis and anyone else who wants to join.