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BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley

BBC Radio 2 celebrates the life of Elvis Presley in the fortnight which would have marked the star's 75th birthday, on 8 January 2010

Radio 2 Elvis Season: Elvis: Movie King or Celluloid Sellout?

Radio 2 Elvis Season: Elvis: Movie King or Celluloid Sellout?: Episode 2

Episode 2

Elvis: Movie King or Celluloid Sellout?

BBC Radio 6 Music - Radio 2 Elvis Season, Elvis: Movie King or Celluloid Sellout?, Episode 2

Paul Morley explores the movie career and overlooked film music of Elvis Presley.

Paul Morley considers to what extent Elvis' film career was run by Colonel Parker and how the Elvis movie 'formula' was born. Features rare archive of Elvis discussing his films.

Movie producer Hal Wallis declared that a Presley picture was "the only sure thing in show business". During his career The King made 33 films and, despite having no training, he was one of the highest paid actors of the 60s, with his film soundtracks alone grossing around $280 million. 

Elvis wanted to be taken seriously as an actor but he was pigeonholed into making musical comedies and turned down the opportunity to act opposite Elizabeth Taylor in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and the Oscar-winning role played by George Chakiris in West Side Story. Despite his box office success, he gave up films in 1969.

In part two, as the Elvis movie machine is in full swing, we look at to what extent his film career was being run by Colonel Parker and how the Elvis movie "formula" was born. In rare archive, Elvis discusses his film career, and talks about his resentment of being pigeonholed into contracts - making fast turn-around musical comedies.

Were the films an embarrassing episode in the King's career, or are their forgotten musical gems and global success at the box office worthy of celebration today?

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

Music: Easy Listening, Soundtracks & Musicals

Paul Morley explores the movie career and overlooked film music of Elvis Presley

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