At the Movies: Elvis

I’ve been on a movie kick.  Typically I don’t go to many movies but lately, there have been several that I’ve wanted to see.  Last week I was reading Mary’s blog at Chicken Scratch Country Threads and saw that she had gone to see the Elvis movie.  OH!  That reminded me that the movie would likely be coming out in my area soon.

I checked.  We have a $5 theater with decent prices on concessions just south of us in Sumner, Iowa.  I decided to check and see if the movie might be playing there.  It was.  I had a busy week and only had two days open that might work for me to see it so I messaged a friend of mine to see if she wanted to go.  She did…and I’m really glad I went.

As we were driving to the movie my friend mentioned that she was a little surprised I was excited to go.  I’m younger than she is and she wondered if I even remembered Elvis.

I did remember Elvis.  As a kid who was 12 when he died, I remember him when he had gained weight…but, my dad used to watch old westerns and I seem to remember a movie he was in when he played an Indian…and maybe another western and a military movie.  The one when he played an Indian was my favorite.  I don’t remember the name…maybe one of you do.   I used to watch movies with my dad a lot on Sunday afternoons or as a late movie on television…never at the theater.  I also remember watching some type of television special that he hosted.

I can remember sitting at the kitchen table when my parents said that Elvis had died.  My parents shielded us from a lot so for the longest time, I thought he died of a heart attack…not drugs which were the real culprit.

If you haven’t seen the trailer for the movie, here it is…

So what did I think of the movie??
Good…great even, but incredibly sad.

Tom Hanks is in the movie…he doesn’t look much like Tom Hanks…but his acting is great as are most Tom Hanks movies.

Tom Hanks on controversial 'Elvis' biopic: 'What have I done?'

The guy who played Elvis was good too.

When everyone left the theater it was pretty quiet.  I think everyone was sad to see what fame, drugs, and a terrible manager did to Elvis.  Honestly, I think it was the terrible manager more than anything.

I watched Rocket Man and Bohemian Rhapsody.  As I left the theater when I watched those shows I felt sad…I felt a little guilty for what we do as a society to people who are famous.  I felt the same way after watching this movie.  Of course, it’s not our fault that famous people turn to drugs…but still, it was hard…but don’t let that stop you from going to see the movie because it is a good one and worth the dollars to see it at a theater.

It was a fun night out and I’m so glad my friend was free.  We have plans to go to another movie.  I can’t believe that there are so many movies I’ve wanted to see lately.  I hope they keep them coming!!

12 thoughts on “At the Movies: Elvis”

  1. The theater was very quiet when I attended the movie, too. I thought it was sad / I wanted to hear more songs! It was good but sad. I always have to go by myself but I’ve decided it’s almost easier – I just go! No calling a friend and making arrangements!

  2. So glad you were able to go with a friend. I never know what movies are playing anymore. For some reason we don’t see any listings for movies. It isn’t in the paper anymore, so didn’t even know there was a movie of Elvis.

  3. I saw Elvis live in St Louis years ago. He was very funny, something I didn’t expect. He had these women backup singers who were just incredible. We paid $25 a ticket which was a lot of money about 1970. I remember watching Elvis early in his career, saw his movies, and bought his records. There was a great deal of information about his lifestyle, and none of it good at all. He made his choices and I think I’ll pass on this movie.

  4. Nancy Jacobsen

    I’m interested to see the movie after visiting Graceland. Certainly, those who were supposed to be his “supporters” took advantage of him for their own benefit. Go see “Where the Crawdads Sing” if you haven’t already.

  5. I saw his show at a venue that was surprising for one so famous. There was such an interest that he was persuaded to add performances and those of us who had been turned down because we did not call in soon enough for our seats were given first choice on obtaining a ticket.
    It was fabulous.

  6. Glenda Fletcher

    We went to Memphis about 8 years back and went on a tour of the city. The bus dropped us off at Graceland. Was fabulous to go through his house. Then we went across the street to the museum. Just so
    neat to see everything. Liked watching the trailer that you have here. Thank you very much for telling us
    about it.

  7. Elvis. When I was a kid in the early 60’s in small town southeastern Arizona, my best friend kept dragging me off to watch Elvis movies. Now being a small town naive girl, I didn’t know at first who Elvis was. I believe admission was 25 or 50 cents. We saw every movie – but the middle 60’s came and the Beatles, the Doors, Simon and Garfunkel! Elvis kind of petered out for us. Was reading the local news in this still small southeastern Arizona town, and discovered the theater is still there – only now its historic and has been renovated. LOL it needed to renovated in the 60’s, was pretty shabby, but we didn’t know any better.
    Memories.

  8. Today was the 1st day I have been to a movie theater since before the pandemic. My friend and I went to see “Where the Crawdads Sing”. We had both read the book and were not disappointed with the movie. I think you would enjoy the movie very much.

  9. I loved Elvis, and so did my mom; it was someone we did agree on. I was 23 when he died, and was driving home from the doctor having just learned (after trying for a year and a half) that I was pregnant with my first child. I was ecstatic. August 16, 1977 – one of the happiest days of my life. Until I heard on the radio in the car that Elvis had died. Talk about emotional turmoil! I decided to mourn Elvis later and celebrate my good news instead. But I’ve never forgotten the date, or Elvis, naturally.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top
%d bloggers like this: