13 Elvis feature films, plus a filmed concert from 1970. The original high production values & colour film are fully realised in this hi-def box-set.
Elvis starred in a lot of similar films from the late 50s to 1970, and people got a little tired of similar plots and B-picture supporting stars. The female lead was usually a known actress or singer, and the films are jam-packed with very attractive young women, some of whom can also act or dance. Nonetheless, he was never going to appear with Elizabeth Taylor, Julie Christie, or Shirley Maclaine. However, Elvis was still the biggest solo singing star in the world for 20 years, and MGM supported him with first-rate colour film and high production values. The original picture quality is fully realised in this box set, suitable for modern hi-def widescreens.
Apart from the high production values, an Elvis film also has its main star. One can forget what a truly wonderful voice he had, in addition to his good looks and iconic dance moves, and each films has several good new songs to showcase his talent. After a couple of slightly wooden outings in the late 50s, he also turned himself into a decent actor. Despite being a global star for a decade, he has the ability to play blue collar class parts like struggling bus boys, waiters, band members, jobbing crop pilots, and small-time racing drivers --- all quite naturally. Despite some cheesy and dated lines, he is also completely at home chatting up the women who take his fancy.
Thus, although some critics are sniffy about the originality and artistic merit of the films, I believe that a lot of this is because Elvis was a working-class star. They would never say the same things about the 10 films of Fred & Ginger. In fact, these are all very well crafted pieces of family entertainment, with Viva Las Vegas and It Happened At The World's Fair shining above the rest. True fans may miss King Creole, GI Blues, & Bliue Hawaii, which are not part of this collection. Also, although there is a concert film, it's from 1970; i.e., not the very famous 1968 comeback concert, or the 1973 Vegas show.
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