“The
late, exceptionally great, Elvis
Presley may be gone, but he is certainly
not forgotten. And you can see why,
as judging from his performance
in the film of his first live television
performance — the brilliant ’68
Comeback Special — Elvis never
lost the magic...” ORIGINALLY AIRED ON 3 DECEMBER, 1968, the legendary Elvis Presley's
ELVIS: '68 Comeback Special 90-minute concert was shown at a Special
Screening Concert Event, ELVIS: 50th Anniversary Comeback Special, at
250 cinemas across the UK and Ireland for one night only on 16 August 2018 —
the 41st anniversary of the tragically early death of the King of Rock and the
50th anniversary of the original screening. Selected sites have showtimes for
further screenings (see information and booking atfathomrocks.com).
ELVIS: 50th Anniversary Comeback Special features newly produced content
as an introduction to the 1968 concert, which was produced and directed by a
then very young and rebellious Steve Binder — who presents the Screening
and who undoubtedly helped Elvis reclaim his place in music — alongside
Priscilla Presley, the former wife of Elvis and the mother of his beloved daughter,
Lisa Marie, who was born earlier that year.
“ELVIS:
’68 Comeback Special
is visually nostalgic
and dramatically compulsive.
Elvis is
every inch a star:
talented, sexy, amusing
and totally natural.
Elvis Rocks!”
There
is an exclusive look at the making of the Special, featuring a walk-through
of the NBC soundstage that includes insights from Steve Binder and others whom
Elvis, his music and this iconic event influenced.
Towards the end of the Sixties, The King had gone silent. Until 3 December 1968
— and what a way to wake up! Elvis was first, unique and an inspiration
to others. Talent like this is so rare that there was no holding him back. Perhaps
we would say today: Elvis owns the stage!
ELVIS: '68 Comeback Special was televised live at the Burbank Studios
on the NBC Lot with Elvis playing and singing with a full band in front of an
intimate audience of loyal fans.
At 33 years old, The King looks impossibly youthful, handsome, dynamic and energetic;
thoroughly enjoying the experience and doing what he loves best. Elvis is terrific:
his voice is sexy and a dream to listen to.
The Elvis Presley '68 Comeback Special shows Elvis to be the consummate
star he was, with a host of songs and dramatic musical sketches that exploit
his talent as a fabulous singer and an accomplished actor; although many of
his films focused only on his singing abilities.
Elvis sings songs from his movies as well as his well-known singles like Heartbreak
Hotel. There is also a beautiful dance routine to the song Sometimes
I Feel Like A Motherless Child and a kooky sketch in a "bordello" with the
striking Susan Henning (Live A Little, Love A Little) seductively fooling
around with Elvis. He broodily works his way through Evil (Don't You Mess
Around With Me). Superb.
Elvis was King. The charismatic King of Rock 'n' Roll who became the inspiration
for many up-and-coming artistes. His professionalism, his sense of fun, his
amazing voice and his talent for charming everyone he worked with shows in this
amazing film.
Fifty years on, the outfits — made especially for him by Bill Belew, who
also made his famous jumpsuits — are timeless. Whether he is wearing leather,
denim or a white suit, he cuts a dashing figure.
Appearing relaxed and in good humour, Elvis exchanges jokes and pleasantries
with his fellow musicians in what is certainly one of the greatest comebacks
in musical history. And can he move!
Director and Producer of the Special, Steve Binder, says: "The '68 Comeback
Special embodies the spirit and talent of one of the most legendary artists
in music history. I hope that Elvis fans and music lovers everywhere will have
an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of the King through a unique
yet personal lens captured in this content."
Elvis loved jamming in private and this is an open invitation to see him as
he really was. Elvis is every inch a star: talented, sexy, amusing and totally
natural. Share the fun Elvis has in rediscovering himself. The fascinating ELVIS:
50th Anniversary Comeback Special introduces The ELVIS: '68 Comeback
Special, which is visually nostalgic and dramatically compulsive. Elvis
Rocks!
Songs from the concert: A Little Less Conversation | All Shook Up | Are You
Lonesome Tonight | Baby, What You Want Me To Do | Big Boss Man | Blue Suede
Shoes | Can't Help Falling In Love | Don't Be Cruel | Guitar Man | Heartbreak
Hotel | Hound Dog | If I Can Dream | It Hurts Me | Jailhouse Rock | Lawdy, Miss
Clawdy | Let Yourself Go | Little Egypt | Love Me Tender | MacArthur's Park
| Memories | Nothingville | One Night | Santa Claus Is Back In Town | Saved
| Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child | That's All Right | Tiger Man |
Trouble | Trying To Get To You | Up Above My Head | When My Blue Moon Turns
To Gold | Where Could I Go But To The Lord.
Described as "a celebration of the incomparable artistry and eternal magic of
Elvis Presley", the ELVIS: 50th Anniversary Comeback Special, introducing
the ELVIS: '68 Comeback Special is dedicated to his memory "with the
greatest love and respect."
The Special Screening Concert Event, ELVIS: 50th Anniversary Comeback Special
is Distributed by CinEvents Ltd in partnership with Fathom Events and Authentic
Brands Group (ABG). The brand new content is produced by Spencer Proffer, CEO
of Meteor 17, and ABG's Marc Rosen, SVP of Entertainment.
CinEvents are delighted to release ELVIS: 50th Anniversary Comeback Special,
to include ELVIS: '68 Comeback Special to be shown in over 250 cinemas
across the UK & Ireland on Thursday 16 August and a number of extra showtimes
at selected cinemas.
ELVIS: 50th Anniversary Comeback Special introducing ELVIS: '68 Comeback
Special is Produced by Spencer Proffer and Dave Harding; Featuring Steve
Binder and Priscilla Presley; Director of Photography is Wes Dorman; Original
photos courtesy of Steve Binder, taken from his book Comeback '68 Elvis,
The Story of Elvis Presley.
Original ELVIS: '68 Comeback Special Credits: Executive Producer is Bob Finkel;
Producer and Director is Steve Binder; Writers are: Allan Blye and Chris Beard;
Music Production is Bones Howe; Musical Direction and Arrangements by William
Goldenberg; Special Lyrics and Vocal Arrangements by Earl Brown; Choreography
by Jaime Rogers and Claude Thompson; Costume Design by Bill Belew.
DVD Credits: ELVIS: '68 Comeback Special Edition: A Production of Elvis
Presley Enterprises Inc. Executive Producers: Gary Hoovey and Todd Morgan; DVD
Distribution: Sony BMG Music Entertainment.
"ELVIS: '68 Comeback Special is visually nostalgic and dramatically compulsive.
Elvis is every inch a star: talented, sexy, amusing and totally natural. Elvis
Rocks!" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar
* GLOBALLY THE BEST SELLING music artiste, Elvis
Aaron Presley was born on 8 January 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi and sadly passed
away on 16 August 1977 at Graceland.
* In celebration of the 50th anniversary
of this legendary special, a new book by Steve Binder entitled COMEBACK:
The Making of the 1968 Elvis Special focuses on the dynamic (and often intimate)
performances by The King of Rock & Roll during the landmark 'Comeback'
NBC broadcast. The book features a dedication by Priscilla Presley and a stunning
catalogue of iconic Elvis Presley imagery.
* CinEvents CEO Joe Evea sees being able
to show this seminal performance on the big screen for the first time as an
honour. He describes the event as "an iconic experience". Marc Rosen, SVP Entertainment
of progressive ABG says the new partnership with Fathom Events is "an opportunity
to take cinematic experience to the next level".
“The
late, exceptionally great, Elvis