Page 6 University Daily Kansan, April 14, 1981
'This is Elvis' realistic, sobering film
By DAVE STUCKEY Contributing Reviewer
THIS IS ELVIS, written, produced and directed by Andrew Soll and Malcolm Leo.
★★★
Elvis Presley
It's always tricky for movie makers to attempt a retrospective examination of a celebrity's life, especially when they attempt to put it in autobiographical form. Too often they look at the subject through rose-colored glasses. And when the subject just shows up who changed the course of popular music for them to come, it would just be all too easy.
"This is Elvis," the life story of Elvis Presley, however, manages to cover all the bases remarkably well; in fact, exceptionally well, the version with other film versions of the King's life.
The writers-directors, Andrew Solt and Malcolm Leo, know the territory well, since their experience includes "The Heroes of Rock n' Roll," 1979 television special.
“This is Elvis,” like “Heroes ...” is a veritable treasure of rare film footage and includes many never-seen-before kinetics from Elvis’s early days, from the dawn of television.
We are treated to numerous film appearances by Elvins: on the Milton Berle
Show," "The Ed Sullivan Show," with the Dorsely brothers, in press conferences, even an appearance with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr.
The segments of Elvis with his original band (Bill Black, Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana) are truly breathtaking and remind one of just how awesome Presley was as a child. The costumes are almost the price of admission, not to mention the home movies of Elvis that were found not long
Review
aga at Graceland, Presley's home. In these clips we begin to see Elvis' all-consuming loneliness. He seems eternally uncomfortable, especially since he's usually the center of attention. He never is actually seen with even one friend.
Also included in the film are the best musical numbers from Elvis' Hollywood
The only questionable (however justifiable) aspect of the film is its half drama-dramal documentary premise. No film of Elvis existed until about 1856, once he became a star. Elvis had to be used in the film to present the very important early years of Presley's life.
The Elvis "look-alike" resembles the King only slightly, but can sing quite well. The difference to Elvis fans, however, will be painfully obvious. It does serve to somewhat blunt the importance of his early recording sessions and such, but it is only here that the film is ineffective. Grainy film and shaky camera movements help the fantasy a bit, but fortunately Solt and Leo make this as short as possible and get right on to the good stuff.
The effectiveness of the "docu-drama" improves as the movie progresses. One doesn't even notice that it's not really Elvis Presley's story, and it's a comedy, the voice and the image begin to juxtapose.
The last part of the film deals with the decline of Elvis in the 70s, culminating with his death in 1977. In watching him, such a pathetic sight at only 42, one only wishes that Presley would have been as smart as the "Elvis" narrator in the film. Elvis couldn't see what was happening and no one near him felt that he could be told. It appears that in truth, Elvis never quite knew where he was going and what was going to happen to him.
"This is Elviz" comes highly recommended. If nothing else, Solt and Leo should be commended for presenting Elviz' life with an enthusiasm and true affection for the man.
On Campus
TODAY
WESTERN CIVILIZATION FILMS will present "persona" at p.m. in the basement o
f the library.
THE BIBLICAL SEMINAR ON ROMANS will meet at 7 p.m. in the Ecumenical Christar Ministries Center.
TAU SIGMA STUDENT DANCE CLUB will meet at 7 p.m. in 2428 Robbins Center
CAMPUS CHRISTIAN HOUSE BIBLE
STUDY will meet at 7:30 p.m. at 116 Indiana.
THE ACCOUNTING CLUB will present a film on ethical standards at 7 p.m., in the Council Room.
STUDENTS ANTINUCLEAR ALLIANCE will meet at 7:30 p.m. in Parlor C of the Union.
$*OYU wi meet VEU? 395.587 M YRls mansa! at 7:34
in Parkers A and B of P.Irv lown
AN EGYPTIAN FILM will be shown at 7:30 p.m. in the Big Eight Room of the Union.
RICHARD D. FINK, MELTON PROFESSOR OF SCIENCE AT AMHERST, (MASS.) *The Virgin and the Bomb*: Study lecture entitled "The Virgin and the Bomb" at n.m. in the Forum Room of the *bomb*.
THOMAS LIFCOMB WILL GIVE A STUDENT SAXOPHORE RECITAL along with the Student Saxophone Quartet at 8 p.m. ir Swarthout Recital Hall, Murphy Hall.
We Buy And Sell Used LPs
And We Carry Rock Posters
& T-Shirts
Sale on all Pipes
West 9th 842-3059
STAR WARS
EVE 5:15 & 8:25 MATSAT SUN 2:15
JERRY LEWIS The Original Jerk
HARDLY EV 7.35 & 9.20
WORKING MATSAT SUN 2:00
SUA FILMS
Tuesday, April 14
Jailhouse Rock
(1957)
East of Eden
two great Hollywood rebels, in Rock, Elvis Presley's best film, he is a hood wizard. He has become a surry rock star until an old prison burglar was sent to the Bronx and Thore Eden stars James Dean as a youth fighting for his father's love based on the Steinback Oscar, Jill Harris,玛丽·摩曼斯, Oscan, John Harris,玛丽·摩曼斯, Named Desires (98/15 min.) Color: 7/30.
Wednesday, April 15
Shame
(1969)
Ingmar Bergerman's fleeting film of two musicians, she fleeing civil war, who did it with courage and determination. War II incident, in which the Swedish navy kidnapped a Swedish death hands of the Nazis, this is her supreme statement of the pain of life. "A protest film, not against any government," she said. "I am fighting existence itself. One of the greatest films of the decade." -Robin Wood, (102 min.)
Unless otherwise noted all film will be shown at Woolfair Auditorium in the Great Hall on Friday, Saturday, Popular and Sunday Friday, Saturday. Popular films are tonight available at Kempinski Union, 4th level, information 884-3477. No smoking or refreshments al-
GOLF
For more information contact Recreation Services at 864-3546
Every Wednesday beginning April 11 till April 29 4:00 p.m. at the Orchards Golf Course Play begins April 8 at 4:00 p.m.
April 17 is Good Friday Get primed for the Easter Weekend at the Third
Harbour Lites P*** OR Drown
Thursday, April 16
7:30 p.m. & ????????
When the whistle blows, it's
50* Pitchers/10* Draws
until someone tries to
Leave or Go to the 'John'
(You can even bring your own
pitcher if it's 60-oz. or less)
$230.00 per week
For further info:
come to Kansas Union—Oread Room
Mon., April 13 or Tues., April 14
12:30, 2:30, 4:30 or 6:00
How long can YOU go . . . . .
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By ANNIKA Staff Report
1601 West 23rd St. Lawrence 9:5-30 M - F, 9:30-2 Sat.
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