#elvis interview

[lustnhim]

elvis with fans (8-12-69) 𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

[hooked-on-elvis]

ELVIS interviewed during filming of 'Change of Habit'

— AMONG OTHER THINGS, YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT HOW ELVIS DID SOME IMPROVISATION IN HIS LINES FOR THE MOVIES AND HOW SELF CONSCIOUS HE WAS ABOUT HIS OWN FILMS

Filmed on location in the Los Angeles area and at Universal Studios during March and April 1969, Change of Habit was released in the United States on November 10, 1969.

Elvis Presley On Set: You Won’t ask Elvis Anything Too Deep?

Elvis talks, but he doesn't say much

BY WILLIAM OTTERBURN-HALL HOLLYWOOD – The notice outside the big grey double-doors was simple and to the point. SET CLOSED, ABSOLUTELY NO ADMITTANCE. You find notices like this outside a lot of film studios, and they tend to have a certain elasticity. This one, outside what looked like an aircraft hangar but was actually Stage D at Universal Studios, meant it. Inside, Elvis Presley was filming. And where Elvis goes, the barriers go up as if some sinister germ warfare experiment were being carried on within. Like a suckling infant, he is swathed and coddled against the realities of the world outside, as if he were made of rare porcelain rather than hewn from good old-fashioned Tennessee stock. But this day he was on show. I had been given the magic formula. The secret open-sesame known only by its brand name of “Colonel Parker’s Okay” had been handed me. The doors swung wide, and I was in. They say Colonel Parker is the man who built Elvis from the erotic gyrating days of the swiveling Pelvis through 14 long and fruitful summers to his present status, by pushing and pulling his protege through the tricky cross-currents of pop music taste. I wouldn’t know. I had asked to see him, this onetime Texas fairground barker, to thank him for the green light. But he was always somewhere else. In his office at Universal, over at Metro, down in Palm Springs, in Las Vegas to lay the trail for the next live show... always somewhere else. No matter. Who needed Colonel Parker when Elvis himself was alive and well and filming? The Publicity Man who escorted me as close as if he were handcuffed said proudly: “I’d like to work with him again, he’s so sweet and uncomplicated. I was surprised you got through – no one’s talked to him yet, you know. There must have been a good breeze blowing.” The good breeze continued to blow as far as the set. A mauve-walled pad with kitchen adjacent and a king-size bed visible through half-drawn yellow curtains. Elvis sat at a table, staring at his hands, while three mini-skirted girls, Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara McNair and Jane Elliott, scurried around with trays of food.

L-R: Mary Tyler Moore, Jane Elliott and Barbara McNair.

The film is about three nuns who pose as nurses to “identify with the people” in a Negro ghetto in New York. The title is Change of Habit (yes, it is) and stars Elvis as a medic who falls for one of the nuns. Elvis is wearing a paint-stained blue denim shirt and tight blue jeans. He looks relaxed and affable and rather meatier around the jaw-line than one remembers from previous films. Marriage (back in May 1967 to Priscilla Beaulieu) is obviously agreeing with him. His eyes have that smoky slow-burn of the old-time movie vamp. He seizes a guitar and strums a few chords. It’s the last week of shooting, and like the good days between exams and the end of term.

The atmosphere on the set is hip and loose, full of leather-clad youth and clever in-talk. The director is thin and intense, wears a check shirt and gym shoes, and is called Billy Graham, which is going to look interesting on the posters of a swinging nun. Elvis produces some dialogue. He is never likely to win an award as an actor, but he knows what the kids want and he gives it to them. The girls are talking about a party. The cameras turn. Elvis says: “You get a lot of people down here on a Saturday night, and all the old hates come out. Before you know it they’re bombed out of their skulls and you’ve got World War III on your hands.”

The scene is this one below. NO, it was not cut out during the editing of this movie.

Earth-quaking stuff. But this simple homespun philosophy is off-key. “Bombed out of their skulls” wasn’t in the script. And the director isn’t too happy about it. “It’s a good line,” says Elvis. “Okay, okay,” says Billy Graham. The line stays. Maybe it will come out in the cutting room, but it’s there for now. “The whole thing is downhill,” says a technician. “He don’t talk to anyone, except his own friends.” There is no sign of tension, but then Elvis has nothing to be tense about. He can go on churning out the same thing for another decade, and they’ll still queue to see it. If he’s over the top, as some unkindly souls occasionally try to make out, he doesn’t seem bothered. He is 34 . . . Raised in Memphis . . . Once a truck-driver, stumbled into records, took the world by storm as the original snake-hips . . . Now lives in cloistered seclusion in a colonial mansion near Nashville, with a Rolls, a solid gold Cadillac, a wife, a daughter (Lisa Marie, aged one) and several bodyguards for company . . . Has made 29 films, grossing 220 million dollars at the box office, and sold more than 200 million records.

Elvis Presley and director William A. Graham on the set of Change Of Habit (Universal 1969) between takes.

Elvis heads for his trailer in the far corner. A group of friends (known in some quarters as the Memphis Mafia) close around him like a football scrum after a loose ball. The code-word is given. I am beckoned over. The good breeze was still blowing. “You won’t probe too deep, will you?” The Publicity Man asks anxiously. “This is just an informal chat, that’s the deal. So keep it light and airy, okay?” Well . . . okay. I checked my notes. Does Elvis fly high on acid trips? Does he see himself as a prophet for the new generation? Does he think his style is too square? Does he have any sexual hang-ups? His marriage altered his attitude to life in any way? Does he kick his cat? Does he have a cat to kick? What are his views on pop, religion, hippies, demonstrators, Vietnam? Stuff like that. No, I wasn’t going to probe too deep. In the dressing room Elvis shakes hands in a firm grip. “This is Charlie, this is Doc.” Two small, burly men light leather jackets and open-neck shirts rise and shine briefly and subside again. The trailer feels a bit crowded.

Elvis Presley on the set of Change Of Habit (Universal 1969). Mary Tyler Moore, Elvis and director William A. Graham share a joke between takes.

Elvis talks. He speaks slowly and carefully, and puts a lot of space between his words. “The film? Uh, well . . . it’s a change of pace for me, yeah. It’s more serious than my usual movies, but it don’t mean I’m aiming for a big dramatic acting scene, no sir. The way I’m headed, I want to try something different now, but not too different. I did this film because the script was good, and I guess I know by now what the public goes for." “Most of the scripts that come my way are all the same. They’ve all got a load of songs in them, but I just did a Western called 'Charro', which hasn’t any songs ‘cepting the title tune. It did have a couple of nude scenes, but they’ve been cut. Anyhow, can you imagine a dramatic Western where the hero breaks out into song all the time?” He has said plenty, and now he leaps to his feet, hands flashing to imaginary holsters, and sings in a deep drawl: “Go for your guns . . . you’ve got ’til sundown to get outa town . . . ” It could be the start of a promising sketch. The others follow suit, singing, clowning, all on their feet. If this is the Memphis Mafia, they’re a friendly bunch.

Elvis on set of 'Change of Habit' (Universal 1969) talking to fans.

Elvis sits down, and everyone stops singing. He eyes himself in the dressing room mirror. “I don’t plan too far ahead, but I’m real busy for a while now. I’ve got a date in Vegas, and maybe another film after that. Then I’m going to try to get to Europe, because I’ve always promised I would and I’ve got some good, faithful fans over there.” Slow-talking Elvis may be. But he certainly isn’t the slow-witted hick from the backwoods his detractors make out. If he is, then he’s a better actor than they give him credit for. Get through to him, and you find a pleasant, honest, not-too-articulate hometown boy who has been protected for his own good from the hysterical periphery of his present world. The party was warming up. Elvis cracked a gag. Charlie cracked a gag. There was a call from the door. Elvis was wanted, and the good breeze was still blowing as he made for the set, one hand on my shoulder. Charlie and Doc were all smiles.

Elvis and his manager, Colonel Parker, on set of 'Change of Habit' (Universal 1969).

“Okay?” said the P.M. “You did real fine.” "Well . . . not quite." I said. "This Colonel Parker, would he be around for a word later?" Elvis stopped in his tracks. The P.M. went a whiter shade of pale, and whispered something to a friend. The friend nodded in sympathy. “I must tell you about an experience I had like that once,” he said, eyeing me as if I’d just crawled out of the woodwork. Elvis said: “I think he’s in Palm Springs. I’m not sure...” He hurried off. The P.M. said: “Don’t let’s push our luck any more. We never trouble him for too long a time. You should be very happy. You had more than anyone’s had in years.” Somewhere along the line, unaccountably, the good breeze had dropped. This story is from the July 12th, 1969 issue of Rolling Stone.

Source: www.rollingstone.com

[ash-omalley]

wow. your 89th birthday is today. crazy to think that the first birthday of yours we ever celebrated together was just last year. never at that moment did i understand just how much you would come to mean to me. still can’t grasp it in this moment. reflecting backing on the last year allows me to understand that your magical 88th year led to my magical 23rd year. although from the outside looking in, one would never guess that. you took a year of devastation and heartbreak for me and turned it into one of the most transformative, romantic years of my life. you got me to the other side. you got me to peace and happiness. it was also the year that i finally got to come home and visit you. something that seemed to take an eternity in this lifetime. how i yearned for you at graceland and how i yearn to go back home to you very soon.

but aside from me, let’s focus on you. after all it is your special day. i imagine it is one of the best birthdays you’ve had in a long time. getting to spend it with your mama, daddy, yisa, and beautiful ben. i’m sure your celebration in the clouds could never compete to our collective best efforts to celebrate you here on earth. but i do hope we’ve made you burst with all that beautiful energy you possess. lighting up your face with that precious smile. holding your stomach with the precious pains your contagious laughter brings. embracing all those around you with the magnitude of love you blessed us all with during your lifetime.

most of all, this 89th year, i hope you continue to understand how earth shattering you truly are. there wasn’t anyone like you and there never will be. you were a forced to be reckoned with from the start. a life too grand and precious for this world. you changed music. you changed lives. you changed america. you changed me. something i will always be grateful for, from the bottom of my heart. you’ll never know the impact you’ve had on me. on all of us.

i love you e. i love you more today than i did yesterday. i love you less today than i will tomorrow. i promise you make you proud. to make your 89th year all the more special than the last. forever entwined, you and i ♥️

[austin-sbutler]

“Do you think you’ll win the Oscar with this role?”

Austin Butler : "Je prends plus de plaisir à jouer depuis Elvis”

[presleypictures]

Vernon Presley's interview with Good Housekeeping, January 1978 (Part 3)

I want to emphasize that although he had to leave her often, Elvis was crazy about his little girl Lisa and she adored her daddy. When Lisa wasn't in school and he wasn't on the road, she'd come to Memphis and they'd play together in his home, Graceland, for hours.

A lot of people have asked about the girls who shared the final years of Elvis' life. Of them all, I think Linda Thompson was the best for him. She was always with him, caring about him. And, though I don't know why they broke up, that may have been one of the reasons. Possibly Elvis felt that her love was beginning to choke him. Sheila Ryan was another fine little girl. I don't know why she and Elvis quit seeing each other either, but I was surprised when she married someone else so soon after their breakup.

I never got to know Ginger Alden well. She's not much of a talker, but a while back Elvis told me he'd fallen in love with her. 'This is the love I've been searching for', he said. 'I want more children, a son. And I want Ginger to be my children's mother'. After that, Ginger and Elvis came over to show me her engagement ring. That was one of the few times I'd ever seen her smiling. I assumed they were going to get married, but nothing happenéd and Whenever I tried to talk to Elvis about Ginger, he'd seem upset.

Finally, just a day or so before he died, I told him, 'I keep hearing and reading that you're going to announce your engagement. Is that right? When are you going to get married?' 'Only God knows', Elvis said.

I got a feeling then that maybe he was changing his mind about marriage.

The papers have played up the fact that neither Priscilla nor Ginger was mentioned in Elvis' will. In answer to that, I want to point out that Ginger had already gotten her share of gifts from Elvis. As for Priscilla, she didn't expect to be mentioned, because Elvis had made his settlement with her when they were divorced.

Stories have misrepresented the details of Elvis' private life in every possible way.

Whatever his private life may have been, none of his employees, friends or associates ever went without anything they wanted or needed- - be it Cadillacs or diamond rings and furs for their wives. Elvis gave lavishly because it was his nature to be generous. He wanted to share his good fortune with everyone who was close to him. I remember a time not too long ago when I felt that he was carrying too big a crew, so I advised, 'You don't need all of them, especially some who just seem to be out for what they want'. Elvis stopped me cold, answering, 'You see their wants. I look beyond their wants and can see their needs.'

Though Elvis never went into hiding as erroneously reported, he did enjoy privacy, just like we all do-so he'd spend time in his room, reading or talking with one or two good friends.

I spent some of the happiest moments of my life sitting and talking with Elvis.

A few days before he died, Elvis and I talked at Graceland for five or six hours about all sorts of things until I finally said, 'Son, I have to go home now and get something to eat'.

'I know, Daddy', Elvis told me. 'But I want you to know that I've really enjoyed this'. So had I.

There are so many unanswered questions about Elvis' death for which I must find answers. How long had he been lying there on the floor before his body was discovered? Why hadn't somebody at Graceland wondered where he was and if he was all right? These are two of the questions I want answered.

I know he hadn't been able to sleep the night before he died and had played racquetball at about four or five o'clock in the morning. Then what happened?

I want to know.

Joe Esposito, one of Elvis' crew, was with me in the office when he got a call from the house and told me he had to go up there right away. I continued with some work until the phone rang again and Patsy, our secretary, answered. 'It's Joe', she said. 'He sounds funny' I took the phone and Joe told me, 'Mr. Presley, come up fast. Elvis isn't breathing'. I haven't been well for some time now, so Patsy had to help me to the house. As soon as I saw Elvis, I knew immediately that he was gone.

The things that happened after that are hard to put into perspective. Some were so unbelievable and I was so grieved I could scarcely grasp what was going on. For instance, I didn't pay any attention to security. I never dreamed that one of Elvis' own cousins would take a picture of him in his casket and sell it to a sensational newspaper. Nor, when I met Caroline Kennedy, did I guess that she'd come to the funeral to do a story. In fact, when we were introduced, I didn't know who she was.

I was with my mother and sister when Priscilla came in with someone she introduced as Caroline Kennedy. I still thought of President Kennedy's daughter as a cute little girl, so I didn't identify the young lady until after she'd left me. Then I heard somebody say, 'That was President Kennedy's daughter', and I thought, 'She's going to think I'm crazy as hell not knowing who she Was'. So I went out and found her and told her that we were honored to have her there and that we welcomed her to Graceland A little bit later, Priscilla told me that Caroline wanted to see Elvis' trophy room. I said that I couldn't show it to her then, but that if she'd stay over until the day after the funeral, I'd do it. As far as I know, Caroline didn't stay. Because I was dazed with shock and misery, I didn't see or recognize some of the people at the funeral. Ann-Margret and I hugged each other and cried together, but I didn't even see her husband, Roger Smith, who was close by.

During Elvis' 22-year career, Colonel Parker handled the show business side of his life, while I tried to handle‘ Elvis' personal affairs. Now that he's gone, I shall continue to look after his affairs until all unfinished business has been attended to'. I may move into Graceland now because my mother and sister have lived there for years and need someone with them. Also, it may be easier for me to handle Elvis' un- finished business from Graceland than from my present house. We received permission from the city of Memphis to move Elvis' body to Graceland, where security is easier to maintain. I also brought Elvis' mother back home to be buried. If possible, Elvis' baby brother, Jesse, will be moved from Mississippi to lie beside them. Elvis sometimes talked about bringing his twin's body to Memphis and I may go ahead with his plan. To go back to what I said at the beginning of this story, I am more heartbroken than I can express over Elvis' death, yet I'm comforted by the sure knowledge that my son was a gift from God and his life was always in God's hands. From one point of view, I would have wished him to live forever, yet I know that his early death, like all of his life, was a part of God's plan. I thank God that He blessed me with such a son.

Vernon photographed on November 24, 1977 by Elvis' resting place at Graceland.

[lllsaslll]

“They just wouldn’t let him out of the box...they had the golden egg ya know, they knew they could count on him where he was, so they left him there and he couldn’t get out”

-Martin Sheen on Elvis

[p-oolshark]

This is audio only, but I loved just listening to his speaking voice, it’s so immensely calming 💗

[heavenlypresleyyoutube]

👑💙ELVIS ARRIVES IN ROANOKE - 1972 COLOR ENHANCED (ELVIS ON TOUR)