| Elvis made 33 movies, including documentaries. On any given day you can catch one on TV. Several cable channels broadcast them regularly, some even running Elvis marathons. We will not be discussing those at this time. We will focus on movies about Elvis, movies where Elvis is a character, and movies where Elvis is an influence in the proceedings. There will be a short review of each and a photo of the poster/video box. Click any individual image to enlarge. |
 | ELVIS STORIES-"Kentucky Fried Movie" style montage of short humorous skits, written and directed by Ben Stiller. Released in 1988, it features early appearances of soon to be stars such as Stiller, Andy Dick, Mike Myers, and John Cusack. Especially recommended for it's inclusion of the video of Mojo Nixon & Skid Roper's classic single "Elvis Is Everywhere" Fast moving, but very short running time; less than 30 minutes, including the video. |
| ELVIS IS ALIVE-Mockumentary in the tradition of "This Is Spinal Tap". Revolving around a struggling filmmaker who is hired to make a documentary which would finally answer the question "Is Elvis alive"? Deadpan acting highlghts this entertaining romp. Appearances by Mr. Blackwell, Dr. Joyce Brothers Vicki Lawrence, Rip Taylor, and Fred Willard add "star power" to the production. Note: picture shown is the back of the video box; the front has grooved plastic motion simulator, which could not be effectively reproduced. |  |
 | RETURN OF THE KING?-Another mockumentary, also purporting to prove that Elvis is alive. This one fails miserably however. The acting is so over the top that it makes "Hee Haw" seem like "Masterpiece Theater". Doesn't come close to being funny. No familiar faces here. They should have hired Rip Taylor. He would have added some class to this bomb. |
| MONDO ELVIS-Documentary (not mockumetary) featuring interviews with assorted Elvis fanatics. Focuses on four people in particular; an Elvis impersonator, a woman whose husband divorced her due to her fanaticism, and twin sisters who believe that Elvis was their father. Very brief running time; less than thirty minutes. These people are all very serious about their devotion to Elvis. These are the type of folks that are mocked in "Elvis Is Alive". |  |
 | HEARTBREAK HOTEL-The story of a alienated teenager who kidnaps Elvis in order to save his mother (a diehard Elvis fan) from going totally to seed. It seems that mom, played by Tuesday Weld, has allowed the hotel that she runs to fall into disrepair while engaging in one night stands with local sleazeballs. Of course Elvis saves the day. He helps renovate the hotel. The teen, his mom and his younger sister learn valuable lessons, and everyone lives happly ever after. Except Elvis of course. Charlie Schlatter is the teen, and David Keith does a credible job as Elvis. |
| HONEYMOON IN VEGAS- Nicholas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker fly to Vegas to get married. James Caan is a high roller who falls for Parker and rigs a poker game with Cage resulting in him getting to spend the weekend with Parker. Cage spends the balance of the movie trying to get her back. It is Elvis week in Vegas and Elvis impersonators abound. The soundtrack consists of Elvis tunes and Elvis covers. High point is scene with the Flying Elvises, inspiration for the real life "Flying Elvi" |  |
 | MYSTERY TRAIN-Jim Jarmusch's trilogy set in a fleabag Memphis hotel. Elvis permeates the three intertwining tales throughout the film which takes place during a single 24 hour period. Great eclectic cast including Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Joe Strummer, Cinque Lee, Steve Buscemi and Tom Waits as the heard but not seen radio disc jockey. Watch for the Elvis art hanging in the hotel rooms. This one is a must see! |
| FINDING GRACELAND-Another must see. This is one of those "Is he or isn't he?" films. Sort of MELVIN & HOWARD meets MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET. Jonathon Schaech plays a grieving widower driving his beatup '59 Caddy ragtop from New Mexico to Memphis to visit Graceland for Elvis death week. He picks up a hitchiker played by Harvey Keitel who claims to be the King himself. Along the way they encounter many oddball characters, including Bridget Fonda as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator. Everyone they meet is captivated by Keitel's character. Is he or isn't he? Does it really matter? |  |
| ALMOST ELVIS-This documentary takes us into the world of the Elvis impersonator. The producers do not poke fun at them, but show them as real people who take their vocation seriously. Plenty of insight, including interviews with agents, promoters and jumpsuit designers. Similarities with the world of beauty pageants become evident as they work their way toward the finals in Memphis. This is a truly fascinating film and should not be missed. |  |
 | IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE-Odd curiosity about a singer who wants to do his own music, but whose fans only want to hear him do Elvis songs. He finally gives in and joins the "Legends In Concert" show. After his girlfriend is rejected for the Karen Carpenter role, he falls in with the Marilyn Monroe impersonator, who has totally immersed herself into her character, pills and all. Soon enough our boy does the same, emulating Elvis' decline. Featuring "Legends" honcho John Stewart as himself, this is basically a promo for his shows, featuring twenty musical numbers in their entirety. Not much room for plot. |
| SLEDGE HAMMER-"ALL SHOOK UP"-Elvis impersonators are dropping like flies, 15 in all. This looks like a job for Sledge Hammer! Needless to say, our hero goes undercover. Having taken an impersonator course he enters a competition. Needless to say, he is awful. Needless to say, he wins. Needless to say, he solves the case and arrests the murderer. Needless to say, he solves it by accident. Originally aired on the TV sitcom of the same name. |  |
 | HEARTBREAK MOTEL-We have reached the bottom of the barrel with this one. Starring every washed up actor they could find, including Shelley Winters, Leslie Uggams, Ted "Lurch" Cassidy, and Slim Pickens, this is an extremely lame suspense thriller. Originally released as "Poor Pretty Eddie". Later retitled "Black Vengeance" to exploit Ms Uggams presence. Later they called it "Redneck County Rape" trying to attract the "Deliverance" & "Billy Jack" crowd. Finally they tried this title based upon a most tenuous Elvis connection. A loser by any name. |
| HORROR HAYRIDE-Webb Wilder, the last of the full grown men, gives us this little gem. Aside from the wall sized poster of the King that hangs in his room, there is one other Elvis connection that must be mentioned. While at a social gathering, he is confronted by a young punk who badmouths Elvis. Webb then breaks into the improbably titled "TCB Yodel #9", which contains possibly the most poignant lyrics ever written about the King. "If you don't think he's number one, you're full of number two". As Webb would say "Work hard. Rock hard. Eat hard. Sleep hard. Grow big. Wear glasses if you need 'em". |  |
