entertainment programming in North America, celebrates the legend of ELVIS PRESLEY with the first-ever
DVD release of the undisputed king of rock ‘n’ roll’s historic earth-shattering performances in ELVIS
PRESLEY: THE ED SULLIVAN SHOWS.
This 3-disc special edition DVD set will debut November 21.
Produced by Grammy and Emmy-award winning producer Andrew Solt (Imagine: John Lennon, This Is Elvis,
The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Heroes of Rock ‘n’ Roll), the DVD consists of the three complete Ed Sullivan
Shows on which Elvis made rock ‘n’ roll and TV history.
Elvis first appeared on the show September 9, 1956 and sent shockwaves through a repressed post-war
America -- effectively opening a generational rift between parents and their children -- with his soulful singing,
sexual hip gyrations and raw rock ‘n’ roll energy. Elvis attracted a record-breaking audience of over 72 million
people -- more than 80% of the television-viewing audience -- which equaled one of every third man, woman
and child in the U.S. at that time.
Viewing Elvis Presley’s three appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show in their entirety frames the context of the
country’s appetite for entertainment in 1956. By glimpsing this time capsule Elvis’s raw, confident and casual
performances illustrates why he was so charismatic and how he captured the imagination of the world.
On his first Sullivan appearance, Elvis performed from CBS Television City in Hollywood while he was on the
West Coast shooting his first feature film Love Me Tender. Although the movie was two months away from
release and the single was not available in stores, Elvis debuted the song “Love Me Tender” that night on the
show; he followed it up with “Don’t Be Cruel” (with the Jordanaires), “Ready Teddy” and “Hound Dog.”
Elvis returned on October 28, 1956 this time in New York, triggering ecstatic screams from the largely teen
audience while performing his current hits “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Love Me Tender” and “Hound Dog.” This time
around, he added Lieber & Stoller’s “Love Me” to his playlist.
Elvis’s inspired performances as well as his growing reputation for hip shaking and sensual gyrations
convinced CBS’s censors that the Ed Sullivan Show should film him only above the waist during his third and
final appearance on January 6, 1957. On this final Sullivan show, Elvis performed “Hound Dog,” “Heartbreak
Hotel,” “Love Me Tender,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Too Much,” “When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again” and
“Peace In The Valley.”
After the show went off without incident, Ed Sullivan proclaimed him, “A real decent fine boy.” Sullivan, in his
inimitable style, further thanked Elvis by adding, “We’ve never had a pleasanter experience on our show with
a big name than we’ve had with you … You’re thoroughly all right.” This was the last time Elvis would appear
live on American television.
Since the DVD features the three Sullivan shows in their entirety, there are other historic variety show
appearances by guests such as Carol Burnett, novelty artist Señor Wences, various Broadway stars, athletes
such as boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, tennis great Don Budge, baseball legend Jackie Robinson and
numerous comedians. Each of the three shows run about one hour and all include the original commercials,
which aired as part of the show’s live broadcast.
The 3-disc special edition DVD features re-mastered Dolby Digital 5.1 audio as well as the original mono
soundtrack. The Kinescope video has been enhanced by a breakthrough technical process -- created by a
company called Live Feed -- resulting in an optimal sound and visual experience.
Special bonus features include:
a rare color 8mm home movie shot in 1955 which is the first-ever recorded footage of a very young Elvis (age
20) who was not yet managed by Col. Tom Parker; special Elvis moments including an appearance by
comedian John Byner; and home movies of Elvis and Priscilla with some of the earliest shots of their daughter
Lisa Marie.
In addition, the package includes insightful interviews and reminiscing with legendary producer Sam Phillips of
Sun Records, Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires, Marlo Lewis, producer of these three historic Ed Sullivan
Shows, renowned television host Wink Martindale; High School buddy and Memphis DJ George Klein and
Elvis’s close friend and Memphis Mafia member Jerry Schilling, author of Me And A Guy Named Elvis.
The impressive package also includes a collectible booklet about Elvis on Sullivan featuring liner-notes
written by pre-eminent rock scribe, Greil Marcus.
SPECIAL FEATURES ON EACH DISC
(Disc One) Play All Elvis Performances
(Disc One) Remembering Ed and Elvis
(Disc One) Why Ed Didn't Host Elvis' First Appearance
(Disc Two) Play All Elvis Performances
(Disc Two) Elvis and Ed: Intros and Promos
(Disc Two) Caught on Celluloid: The First Moving Pictures of Elvis Presley
(Disc Three) Play All Elvis Performances
(Disc Three) Jerry Shillings Home Movies
(Disc Three) Special Elvis Moments
(Disc Three) Production Stills
(Disc Three) Documents from the Graceland Archives
(Disc Three) Documents from the Sullivan Archives
Source: Image Entertainment
Kommentar