Elvis Presley in film, a sure thing in Hollywood

Elvis Presley, born January 8, 1935, was an entertainer in the areas of not only music but in the martial arts, horsemanship and acting.

By the early 60s Presley's agent, Colonel Parker, kept a heavy moviemaking schedule for him.  The genre of most the films was musical-comedies.

Presley at first insisted on pursuing more serious roles, but when two films in a more dramatic vein - Flaming Star (1960) and Wild in the Country (1961) - were less commercially successful, he reverted back to Parker's suggestion.

The 27 movies Presley made during the 1960s were not considered on "top of the charts," but they were all definitely profitable. Hal Wallis, who produced nine of them, declared,

"A Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood."

Fifteen of Presley's films were accompanied by soundtrack albums and another five by soundtrack EPs.

By the late 60s Elvis Presley made a comeback on stage. When he did, he took to the stage without introduction, and the audience of 2,200, including many celebrities, gave him a standing ovation before he sang a note and another after his performance.

In November of 1969, Presley's final non-concert movie, Change of Habit, opened. The double album From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis came out the same month.  The first LP consisted of live performances from the International, the second of more cuts from the American Sound sessions. "Suspicious Minds" reached the top of the charts - Presley's first U.S. pop number one in over seven years, and his last.

Elvis Presley, on January 8, 2011, would have been 76.  Happy Birthday Elvis!