So I thought ‘What the heck! I’ll get one too

Costars remember Elvis the actor

For many, the title “King of Rock and Roll” is canada goose outlet parka reserved for one man: Elvis Presley. Had he lived, Elvis would have celebrated his 80th birthday on Jan. 8.

canada goose stockists uk In addition to his music, Elvis lives on through a phenomenal number of appearances in scripted motion pictures 31 in all beginning with “Love Me Tender” in 1956 and ending 13 years later with “Change of Habit.” canada goose stockists uk

canada goose factory outlet Although his films were often dismissed due to weak and predictable scripts, critics generally regarded Elvis as a surprisingly good actor. But official canada goose outlet what did his costars think? canada goose factory outlet

In 1966, 10 year old Donna Butterworth appeared in “Paradise, Hawaiian Style,” the second Elvis canada goose outlet sale film set in Hawaii.

canada goose outlet nyc “My mom and dad took me to see ‘Blue Hawaii’ when I was just a little girl and I fell in love with him right then and there,” said Donna. “I couldn’t get enough Elvis.” canada goose outlet nyc

canada goose outlet winnipeg address Donna recalls filming her first scene on the cliffs of Makapuu, on Oahu, running into Elvis’s arms. canada goose outlet winnipeg address

“I had only met him a few minutes before that,” she recalled. “So when the director called ‘action,’ I ran up and got in his canada goose outlet arms, and his face was about canada goose outlet canada 4 inches from my face. After all the anticipation of meeting Elvis Presley and working with him, I just froze. I couldn’t believe I was canada goose outlet online so close to this beautiful man! All the crew cracked up because they knew I was so enamored. In fact, Elvis laughed the hardest he just loved to laugh.”

canada goose outlet toronto location Unlike Donna, 7 year old Susan Olsen wasn’t an Elvis fan when she briefly appeared in the talent contest audition scene in Elvis’s second last film, “The Trouble with Girls” (1969). canada goose outlet toronto location

“I couldn’t understand all the hype over him and I didn’t even think he was good looking!” said Susan, who went on to play youngest daughter canada goose outlet in usa Cindy on the popular ’60s TV show, “The Brady Bunch.”

That changed after their first brief encounter.

canada goose coats uk “I remember that a bunch of the kids’ mothers suddenly started screaming,” said Susan. “Elvis had come out of his dressing room and they crowded around him for autographs. So I thought ‘What the heck! I’ll get one too.’ So I went up to him and I’m not making this up when he looked at me I thought, ‘Oh, I get it! I see why they like him so much.’ He had this special aura about him. I was just dumbstruck, I couldn’t say anything. He signed the photo, handed it to me, and said, ‘Here ya go darling.'” canada goose coats uk

canada goose outlet belgium Elvis’s leading lady in “The Trouble with Girls” came away with more than just an autograph. Marlyn Mason snagged an on screen kiss. canada goose outlet belgium

“It was a comedy kiss,” said Marlyn, indicating that the only fireworks were the real ones in the movie scene.

canada goose outlet store uk She took an unusual approach to get the required reaction from Elvis. Just after the fireworks scene, Elvis comes up behind her and starts rubbing her shoulders. canada goose outlet store uk

canada goose outlet factory “I canada goose black friday sale just turned around, off camera, and started undoing Elvis’s belt and trousers!” Marlyn recalled. “Well, I didn’t get very far because it wasn’t a long scene. Elvis got this funny look on his face which you can see in the film. He was great fun to work with, because I could throw anything at him and he’d just throw it right back.” canada goose outlet factory

canada goose outlet new york city She also recalls a private moment when Elvis shared thoughts about his acting. canada goose outlet new york city

“The saddest thing Elvis said to me was ‘I’d like to make one good film because I know people in this town laugh at me.’ I’ll never forget that,” she said. “But he was always down to earth and comfortable with himself. Some of canadagooseparks that dialogue was so corny, but he managed to bring a realness to it. And I think that’s just how he was in canada goose outlet reviews real life. He was a natural comedian, and his timing was just impeccable. I just found him to be a very genuine person.”

canada goose outlet vancouver Despite his fame, Will Hutchins canada goose outlet toronto factory says Elvis didn’t play the celebrity although he was usually accompanied on most of his films by pals the so called Memphis Mafia. canada goose outlet vancouver

canada goose outlet store near me “On the set, Elvis was like a host canada goose outlet shop a Southern gentleman making sure everyone was having a good time,” said Will, who canada goose outlet store first worked in “Spinout” (1966). canada goose outlet store near me

The following year he costarred with Elvis in “Clambake” which featured a lot of ad libbing and fooling around on the set.

canada goose premium outlet “It was more or less a defacto stag party because Elvis was getting married soon after the filming was finished,” recalled canada goose outlet new york city Will. “Elvis and his buddies would set off firecrackers. It was pretty wild, canada goose outlet but a lot of fun. For the director’s birthday, they had a cake and pushed it right in his face!” canada goose premium outlet

canada goose jacket outlet uk Wilda Taylor appeared in three Elvis Presley films, but strutted into Elvis movie history as exotic dancer Little Egypt in “Roustabout” (1964). canada goose jacket outlet uk

“We rehearsed for about two weeks,” said Wilda. “Elvis was in and out of rehearsal hall every so often between his other busy filming days for the other scenes. He knew his material and music well, and I grew to admire him a great deal. It’s amazing, through the years, how many people know about me and Little Egypt from that film. Oddly enough, I really didn’t know much about Elvis before we worked together, but I found him to be a lovely, darling person, and I was just pleased to be a small part of his life.”

With each passing decade since his death in 1977 at age 42, the Elvis legend and legacy continue to grow. When viewed in the context of the often zany canada goose outlet online uk ’60s TV and film period, it is gratifying that there exists such an extensive film library of the most celebrated entertainer in history.

canada goose outlet in chicago Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 500 magazines and newspapers. canada goose outlet in chicago

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