Movies Elvis was offered but turned down.

[n***@graceland.com]

I heard somewhere that Elvis was offered the male lead in A Star Is Born
with Barbara Streisand but was advised to turn it down because the content
e.g. language etc was deemed not suitable. Is this true and are there any
more movies that were offered that we don't know about. Thanx
T.C.B. forever Elvis.

[t***@yahoo.com]

Elvis didn't want to kiss that horse face Babs

[Bill Haddon]

In my opinion, this was the defining moment in E's decline. He and Jon Peters/BS had a "handshake" agreement on E's participation in the movie. According to what I've read about those around him at the time, he was pumped about what he obviously viewed as an opportunity to participate in something other than the "B" movies that had marked his recent career. It was immediately obvious to those around him that he had a new lease on life. Enter the colonel (LC intentional). Since he wasn't involved in the negotiation, he immediately nixed the idea and E, of course, not being one to rock the boat, even in defense of his own career and wellbeing, acquiesced and immediately fell into an ever increasing funk which ultimately, again in my opinion, lead to his death spiral. Thank mr. parker, for nothing!
<***@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:***@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
Elvis didn't want to kiss that horse face Babs

[H]

If you allow yourself to decline because you don't get a movie role (in what turned out to be a bad movie) then the person definately has issues. If Elvis wanted that part bad enough he should have made sure it happened.

.H.


"Bill Haddon" <***@charter.net> wrote in message news:Uq0Ud.10435$***@fe02.lga...
In my opinion, this was the defining moment in E's decline. He and Jon Peters/BS had a "handshake" agreement on E's participation in the movie. According to what I've read about those around him at the time, he was pumped about what he obviously viewed as an opportunity to participate in something other than the "B" movies that had marked his recent career. It was immediately obvious to those around him that he had a new lease on life. Enter the colonel (LC intentional). Since he wasn't involved in the negotiation, he immediately nixed the idea and E, of course, not being one to rock the boat, even in defense of his own career and wellbeing, acquiesced and immediately fell into an ever increasing funk which ultimately, again in my opinion, lead to his death spiral. Thank mr. parker, for nothing!
<***@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:***@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
Elvis didn't want to kiss that horse face Babs

[Broadway]

The info is wrong, Elvis didn't go into decline over ASIB and this
subject remains dumb and is way overblown by the dumbest Elvis fans.
Give it up, people.

[Lisa]

Well. to think the declined started after the pass on "A Star is Born"
is a stretch for me. I've always pegged it on the other film.The early
first draft of which was turned down by Parker mid 60's or so was a huge
disappointment for Elvis. Somehow I just seemed to have located the only
poster in existence too! Unbelievable..

http://www.elvicities.com/~italianjob/flick.html

Lisa

[Scottie TLC]

Pretty good, Lisa.

Btw, I read somewhere that he had to turn down a movie with Robert
Mitchum called, "Thunder Road."
Mitchum approached Elvis himself and told Elvis he wanted him in the
movie. Elvis said he had to check it with his manager. Mitchum said he
didn't need to check with his manager....he told Elvis to make the
decision but, Elvis didn't want to make a move without Parkers say so.
I think I read that in "Elvis, What Happened?"

Scottie+++++++TLC

[Dawn in Memphis]

Pretty good, Lisa.


Btw, I read somewhere that he had to turn down a movie with Robert
Mitchum called, "Thunder Road."
Mitchum approached Elvis himself and told Elvis he wanted him in the
movie. Elvis said he had to check it with his manager. Mitchum said
he
didn't need to check with his manager....he told Elvis to make the
decision but, Elvis didn't want to make a move without Parkers say so.
I think I read that in "Elvis, What Happened?"


Scottie+++++++TLC
Wasn't there an offer for a Burt Lancaster film too,
"The Rain Man?"

[Scottie TLC]

Oh yeah! I forgot about that. It would have been great if Elvis did
those movies. Robert Mitchum in one and Burt Lancaster in the other.
I wonder what course Elvis' career would have taken if he had done those
two movies?

Scottie++++++TLC

[Dawn in Memphis]

Actually,I should have said The Rainmaker, not the Rain Man.

[Genie]

Post by Dawn in Memphis
Actually,I should have said The Rainmaker, not the Rain Man.

I knew what you meant. ; )
Although we are thinking of Elvis is these roles, I must say Burt
Lancaster and Robert Mitchum would be hard for anyone to beat. Remember
the role of Elmer Gantry that was just incredible. Burt Lancaster was
great in that film.
Elvis would have been a wonderful choice in some of the James Dean
roles. As well as Marlon Brando. Just my opinion.
~Genie

[Genie]

*in* not is...

[Scottie TLC]

Dawn wrote:

Actually,I should have said The Rainmaker, not the Rain Man.
_____________________________________
Yes, you are right again. Isn't "Rain Man" with Dustin Hoffman about an
autistic man? I believe it also starred Tom Cruise.

Scottie++++++TLC

[Genie]

Post by Dawn in Memphis
Actually,I should have said The Rainmaker, not the Rain Man.
_____________________________________
Yes, you are right again. Isn't "Rain Man" with Dustin Hoffman about an
autistic man? I believe it also starred Tom Cruise.
Scottie++++++TLC

Yes. It was bittersweet.
Also gained much respect for the handicapped. I believe it won best
film that year.

[Broadway]

Post by Dawn in Memphis
Actually,I should have said The Rainmaker, not the Rain Man.

'And I'll tell ya somethin', Char-lay, K-Mart sucks. It sucks,
Char-lay.
Now if you don't mind, 'sWednesday and ah think you owe me mah fish
sticks'n green jello..'.

<dialogue followed by Bennett and Tepper's timeless classic, 'Fish
Stick Rock (Tarter Sauce Blues)'>

[l***@webtv.net]

If you listen to Marty, Jerry Scheff and Sonny West, then the Colonel
turning down "A Star Is Born" was a pivotal moment in Elvis's decline.
Marty has stated it many times. Jerry Scheff has said it was like the
wing of a 747 coming off in regards to Elvis's reaction to the turning
down of "ASIB". Sonny said that he had never seen Elvis so motivated and
he made Elvis shake his hand to promise he would follow through with it.
He said the disappointment was the start of the end. I think you have
listen to what they have said since they were the closest to him. Even
though the movie may have turned out to suck, It was a big hit at the
time and to Elvis, this was another big star and cutting edge young
producer who wanted him for a big part in a mainstream "A" movie. Elvis,
it has been said, had always wanted to be a serious actor in mainstream
movies, which he had been denied in his earlier movie career. The
touring and Vegas had become drudgery and I do think that this could
have been a turning point in turning his life around if the movie would
have been a success with him.

[d***@gmail.com]

Elvis could have done movies like Smokey and the Bandit.

[Lisa]

Scottie wrote:

Btw, I read somewhere that he had to turn down a movie with Robert
Mitchum called, "Thunder Road."
Mitchum approached Elvis himself and told Elvis he wanted him in the
movie. Elvis said he had to check it with his manager. Mitchum said he
didn't need to check with his manager....he told Elvis to make the
decision but, Elvis didn't want to make a move without Parkers say so. I
think I read that in "Elvis, What Happened?"

Scottie+++++++TLC
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I read about that movie offer in "Elvis What Happened" concerning
Thunder Road also. A little confusion existed there as I recall though.
The book says that while Elvis was making Frankie and Johnny and Robert
Mitchum and Shirley Maclaine were making See Saw, Mitchum visited Elvis
on the set and offered him the lead role in Thunder Road.A film property
he owned. The upfront money wasn't tasty enough for the Colonel or it
was too much a break from the Elvis movie tradition. Anyhow they passed
and according to Sonny, Thunder Road went on to be a big success.

As Sonny I believe relates this story in such detail here's where the
story falls apart. Frankie and Johnny was filmed in 1966 and Thunder
Road was released in 1958!!! While this offer may have happened much
earlier I can't see anyway it ever occurred according to Elvis What
Happened. Show me the COA on this one.

BTW I rented that flick "Thunder Road" and I could see Elvis in it no
problem around 1958. Just think about it...

http://www.elvicities.com/~italianjob/road.html

Lisa;-)

[Scottie TLC]

EXCELLENT!!

I know Elvis would have been great in that movie.
Thanks Lisa.

Scottie+++++++TLC

[Dawn in Memphis]

Here's some info a friend just sent me on other missed movie
opportunities:


"The Girl Can't Help It" (1956)
Producers wanted Elvis Presley to perform in the movie, but Col. Tom
Parker
demanded too much money for Elvis to sing one song

"The James Dean Story" (1957)
Originally conceived as a biographical film. Elvis Presley lobbied to
play
Dean but the decision was made to make a documentary instead.

"Sweet Bird of Youth" (1962)
The role of Chance Wayne was first offered to Elvis Presley, but
Presley's manager
turned it down because he didn't want Elvis to play a bad guy.

"The Way to the Gold" (1957)
This movie was originally meant to be an Elvis Presley vehicle, but Fox
refused to
pay the $250,000 plus 50 percent of the profits that Elvis' manager
asked (they had offered $150,000 plus 50 percent).

"Your Cheatin' Heart" (1964)
Elvis Presley was considered for the role of Hank Williams, but
Wiliams' widow
Audrey Williams vetoed the idea, as she felt that Elvis would become
the focus of
the movie.

SOURCE:
http://us.imdb.com/Search/trivia

[i***@webtv.net]

Thanks Dawn that was good.Most all were 50's early 60's. Any thing pop
up on your search concerning Thunder Road? I looked it up again in
Elvis What Happened and it was quoted as I mentioned earlier.I also
looked to see when See Saw was released and it came out in 1962. So the
story about the role in Thunder Road in EWH is all over the board time
line wise..

Lisa

[Dawn in Memphis]

You're welcome.
BTW, that wasn't my research, a nice
friend emailed it to me.
I just did do a quickie search tho and
it appears Elvis was also considered for
West Side Story.
http://usonia.unco.edu/music/musichist/mus308/elvis.html

Obviously,someone made a big mistake with the dates and movie sets in
EWH.

[Genie]

Post by Dawn in Memphis
You're welcome.
BTW, that wasn't my research, a nice
friend emailed it to me.
I just did do a quickie search tho and
it appears Elvis was also considered for
West Side Story.
http://usonia.unco.edu/music/musichist/mus308/elvis.html
Obviously,someone made a big mistake with the dates and movie sets in
EWH.

Elvis and Natalie Wood.
That part would have been great with Elvis.
I don't understand his allowing Col Parker to nix every great idea that
came along. It was okay to do Harum scarum though?
Yeah right. Too sad to think about.
~Genie

[AFriend]

Post by Genie

Post by Dawn in Memphis
You're welcome.
BTW, that wasn't my research, a nice
friend emailed it to me.
I just did do a quickie search tho and
it appears Elvis was also considered for
West Side Story.
http://usonia.unco.edu/music/musichist/mus308/elvis.html
Obviously,someone made a big mistake with the dates and movie sets in
EWH.

Elvis and Natalie Wood.
That part would have been great with Elvis.
I don't understand his allowing Col Parker to nix every great idea that
came along. It was okay to do Harum scarum though?
Yeah right. Too sad to think about.
~Genie

Elvis liked the Colonel and he felt indebted to him. As far as he knew
the Colonel hadn't betrayed him and he felt he owed a lot to him. Now a
lot has been brought out lately but at the time even though Elvis felt
bad about a few things he felt he would have liked to have done, he
trusted the Colonel and felt like he knew what he was doing. And
actually he did think about getting rid of him but Elvis didn't like
getting rid of things he felt comfortable with.

[Genie]

Post by AFriend

Post by Genie

Post by Dawn in Memphis
You're welcome.
BTW, that wasn't my research, a nice
friend emailed it to me.
I just did do a quickie search tho and
it appears Elvis was also considered for
West Side Story.
http://usonia.unco.edu/music/musichist/mus308/elvis.html
Obviously,someone made a big mistake with the dates and movie

sets

Post by AFriend
in

Post by Genie

Post by Dawn in Memphis
EWH.

Elvis and Natalie Wood.
That part would have been great with Elvis.
I don't understand his allowing Col Parker to nix every great idea

that

Post by Genie
came along. It was okay to do Harum scarum though?
Yeah right. Too sad to think about.
~Genie

Elvis liked the Colonel and he felt indebted to him. As far as he knew
the Colonel hadn't betrayed him and he felt he owed a lot to him. Now a
lot has been brought out lately but at the time even though Elvis felt
bad about a few things he felt he would have liked to have done, he
trusted the Colonel and felt like he knew what he was doing. And
actually he did think about getting rid of him but Elvis didn't like
getting rid of things he felt comfortable with.

Yes. I can understand that. I just find it sad. Now that all has been
said and done. Elvis was loyal and I guess he wouldn't have felt right
being any other way.
~Genie

[Hadji Derabertis]

Post by Bill Haddon
In my opinion, this was the defining moment in E's decline. He and Jon
Peters/BS had a "handshake" agreement on E's participation in the
movie. According to what I've read about those around him at the time,
he was pumped about what he obviously viewed as an opportunity to
participate in something other than the "B" movies that had marked his
recent career. It was immediately obvious to those around him that he
had a new lease on life. Enter the colonel (LC intentional). Since he
wasn't involved in the negotiation, he immediately nixed the idea and
E, of course, not being one to rock the boat, even in defense of his
own career and wellbeing, acquiesced and immediately fell into an ever
increasing funk which ultimately, again in my opinion, lead to his
death spiral. Thank mr. parker, for nothing!
didn't want to kiss that horse face Babs

I don't know how much stock I'd put into that Bill. Let's not forget
that Babs' 'A star is born' was no Citizen Cane. The movie was
terrible, it bombed in the theaters, and the reviews were and still
are,, terrible......It was a bomb. Imagine how much worse off Elvis
would have been if he had made that stinker. It would have definitely
spelled the end of the king's movie career.
After reading all the hype about this turned down offer in what seems
like every Elvis bio ever written , I couldn't believe how bad the movie
was when I finally got around to watching it . Again, the way people
went on, I was prepared to watch a cinematic masterpiece. Something
along the lines of 'Sunset Blvd.', 'Raiders of the lost ark'
Casablanca' and 'The Sting' all rolled into one. Instead I got ,,
well............... Streisand's A Star Is Born.
Jason~~

[Genie]

Post by Hadji Derabertis

Post by Bill Haddon
In my opinion, this was the defining moment in E's decline. He and Jon
Peters/BS had a "handshake" agreement on E's participation in the
movie. According to what I've read about those around him at the time,
he was pumped about what he obviously viewed as an opportunity to
participate in something other than the "B" movies that had marked his
recent career. It was immediately obvious to those around him that he
had a new lease on life. Enter the colonel (LC intentional). Since he
wasn't involved in the negotiation, he immediately nixed the idea and
E, of course, not being one to rock the boat, even in defense of his
own career and wellbeing, acquiesced and immediately fell into an ever
increasing funk which ultimately, again in my opinion, lead to his
death spiral. Thank mr. parker, for nothing!
didn't want to kiss that horse face Babs

I don't know how much stock I'd put into that Bill. Let's not forget
that Babs' 'A star is born' was no Citizen Cane. The movie was
terrible, it bombed in the theaters, and the reviews were and still
are,, terrible......It was a bomb. Imagine how much worse off Elvis
would have been if he had made that stinker. It would have definitely
spelled the end of the king's movie career.
After reading all the hype about this turned down offer in what seems
like every Elvis bio ever written , I couldn't believe how bad the movie
was when I finally got around to watching it . Again, the way people
went on, I was prepared to watch a cinematic masterpiece. Something
along the lines of 'Sunset Blvd.', 'Raiders of the lost ark'
Casablanca' and 'The Sting' all rolled into one. Instead I got ,,
well............... Streisand's A Star Is Born.
Jason~~

LOL! That definately was a great post against Elvis doing that film.
I hated it too. But not sure if it was the actors or the film. Elvis
might have actually added interest to it, but not with Streisand.
Remembering the film "A Summer Place" because of the recent death of
Sandra Dee, I think Elvis would have outdone Troy Donahue!
~Genie

[Devildog]

Post by Genie
Remembering the film "A Summer Place" because of the recent death of
Sandra Dee, I think Elvis would have outdone Troy Donahue!
~Genie

Watered down mush, just what his career needed!

[Genie]

Post by Devildog

Post by Genie
Remembering the film "A Summer Place" because of the recent death of
Sandra Dee, I think Elvis would have outdone Troy Donahue!
~Genie

Watered down mush, just what his career needed!

Thank you for that simple reply. Did you see this film at the theater?
Or have you seen it on video? Have you ever seen it? ; )
Having seen the film is one thing; compared to films of today with R
ratings. You must remember that this was 1960? (sorry I am not certain)
But I was a teen at the time and it made a real impact. Richard Egan of
course was an excellent actor. Troy Donahue was a doll. But, Elvis
could have played "Johnny" very effectively and it wasn't all mush.
~Aladdin

[Devildog]

Post by Genie
Thank you for that simple reply. Did you see this film at the

theater?

Post by Genie
Or have you seen it on video? Have you ever seen it? ; )
Having seen the film is one thing; compared to films of today with R
ratings. You must remember that this was 1960? (sorry I am not

certain)

Post by Genie
But I was a teen at the time and it made a real impact. Richard Egan of
course was an excellent actor. Troy Donahue was a doll. But, Elvis
could have played "Johnny" very effectively and it wasn't all mush.
~Aladdin

Cunt, what do you think?

[Genie]

Post by Genie

Post by Genie
Thank you for that simple reply. Did you see this film at the

theater?

Post by Genie
Or have you seen it on video? Have you ever seen it? ; )
Having seen the film is one thing; compared to films of today with R
ratings. You must remember that this was 1960? (sorry I am not

certain)

Post by Genie
But I was a teen at the time and it made a real impact. Richard

Egan

Post by Genie
of

Post by Genie
course was an excellent actor. Troy Donahue was a doll. But, Elvis
could have played "Johnny" very effectively and it wasn't all mush.
~Aladdin

Cunt, what do you think?

PIG, I think you were not yet born.

[Hadji Derabertis]

Post by n***@graceland.com
I heard somewhere that Elvis was offered the male lead in A Star Is Born
with Barbara Streisand but was advised to turn it down because the content
e.g. language etc was deemed not suitable. Is this true and are there any
more movies that were offered that we don't know about. Thanx
T.C.B. forever Elvis.

Me thinks the main reason was that he wouldn't have received top billing.
Elvis Presley getting second billing...a definite NO NO, especially in the
Col's eyes.
Jason~~

[infiniteman]

***Me thinks the main reason was that he wouldn't have received top
billing.
Elvis Presley getting second billing...a definite NO NO, especially in
the
Col's eyes.

Maybe so but maybe Parker was up to his usual tricks again: since it
was a real movie (as opposed to the documentaries), perhaps he was
asking for so many songs for Elvis to sing, the publishing on all the
songs and 50% of all the profits from theater showings and TV airings.
I've got a feeling that had Parker accepted Streisand's offer on
Elvis's behalf and Elvis ultimately took second billing, Parker
probably would've griped about the matter to the end of his days.
Seriously, didn't Parker also have an objection to Elvis doing the
movie because of the drug situation and because he felt Elvis's health
wasn't good, Elvis wasn't up to the challenge? He probably wouldn't
have liked the language but if Streisand had bit the bullet and gave
herself second billing, I don't think the language would've been that
much of a biggie. Course, if he was sincerely concerned about Elvis's
health and drug problems (which as long as it didn't interfere with the
money flow, he wasn't that concerned), then it's likely the deal would
still have been dead.

[l***@gmail.com]

It was really about "the colonel" his stupid manager. He wanted Elvis to do stupid moneymakers and not take a risk on his acting ability. If Elvis had have had a good manager....he'd probably still be alive!