1956 is the year that a 21 year old truck driver exploded upon the music scene and began his legacy. This documentary follows Elvis Presley through a very busy year of accomplishment. Two days after his 21st birthday, Elvis has his first recording session for RCA Victor. The session produced his first million seller "Heartbreak Hotel". We see Elvis on the Dorsey Brothers Stage Show. And then comes other TV appearances; The Milton Berle Show, The Steve Allen Show and The Ed Sullivan Show. After performing a very sensual "Hound Dog" on the Berle Show, Allen then has Elvis dress in a tux to sing a tame version to an actual basset hound. On Elvis' final Sullivan Show, he was shown only from the waist up to please censors.
The editing of still shots mixed with filmed footage is superb. And the music itself can tell the story of that magical year that we were introduced to "Heartbreak Hotel", "Hound Dog", "Long Tall Sally", "I Got a Woman", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Ready Teddy" and the title song from Elvis' first movie "Love Me Tender".
Even non Presley fans have to be impressed with this documentary. And to think this is just the tip of the iceberg. The rest as they say is history. Quoting the late John Lennon, 'Before Elvis there was nothing'.
The editing of still shots mixed with filmed footage is superb. And the music itself can tell the story of that magical year that we were introduced to "Heartbreak Hotel", "Hound Dog", "Long Tall Sally", "I Got a Woman", "Blue Suede Shoes", "Ready Teddy" and the title song from Elvis' first movie "Love Me Tender".
Even non Presley fans have to be impressed with this documentary. And to think this is just the tip of the iceberg. The rest as they say is history. Quoting the late John Lennon, 'Before Elvis there was nothing'.