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Elvis On Tour - MGM 1972 Colour 93 mins


Elvis on stage in Elvis On TourDirected Robert Abel
Producer Pierre Adidge
Associate Producer Sidney Levin
Metrocolor

The Band
James Burton .... Lead Guitar, John Wilkinson .... Rhythm Guitar, Glen D. Hardin .... Piano, Charlie Hodge .... Guitar and Vocal, Jerry Scheff .... bass guitar, Ronnie Tutt .... Drums, Sweet Inspirations.... Backing Vocals, J.D Sumner & Stamps Quartet .... Backing Vocals, Kathy Westmoreland .... Backing Vocals, Orchestra conducted by Joe Guercio.

Elvis' Assistants
Vernon Presley, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, Sonny West, Red West, James Caughley, Lamar Fike, Marvin Gamble.


Plot

Original Movie PosterVideo  & DVD ReleaseThe film begins very excitingly with Elvis singing Johnny B. Goode over the credits and this opening sequence is the best in any Elvis film using the multiple image effect. Elvis is filmed arriving at the auditoriums, waiting nervously backstage and then appearing on stage to rapturous welcomes.

The multiple image effect is used to great effect throughout the whole film. Part of several concerts are shown, interspersed with rare footage of the first Ed Sullivan Show, Army induction, Elvis in his gold suit and other clips and stills.,

Elvis is seen recording Seperate Ways in the studio as well as being driven to and from concerts, running the gauntlet of his fans as he enters and exits hotels and concert halls.

In between shots of Elvis singing and kissing his fans, many kissing scenes from previous MGM movies are edited in and this makes for a very entertaining segment.

A lot of action is packed into the film with nostalgia and good music. Like the Elvis shows themselves it had to finish and the end of the film shows Elvis running offstage after Can't Help Falling In Love and into a waiting Limousine which carries him away. As the closing credits roll Memories is the perfect background music to the travelling and back stage scenes being shown. As the film fades theres a reprise of the shot of Elvis in the car smiling at some distant memory.

On Tour is a marvellous film capturing Elvis doing what he did best, singing for his fans. Like That's The Way It Is it will always be a cherished, favorite movie and a fitting memorial to the king.

Musical Soundtrack

Split screen action from Elvis On Tour"JOHNNY B GOODE"
Written by Chuck Berry. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Many thought that Chuck Berry wrote this song about Elvis-the country boy strumming his guitar in the back woods who one day finds his name in lights. Played over the opening credits of the film. The song was first recorded live at the International Hotel Las Vegas August 22nd 1969. Released on the LP's In Person (1969), From Memphis To Vegas From Vegas To Memphis. Other versions were released on the LP's Aloha From Hawaii Via Satelite (1973) and Elvis In Concert (1977).

"SEE SEE RIDER"
Written by Ma Rainey and Chuck Willis. Performed by Elvis Presley.
The song that became the standard for opening Elvis shows after Also Sprach Zarathustra and featured rumbling drums from Ronnie Tutt, hot licks from James Burton's guitar and brass arrangements. Elvis would often segue to Thats All Right Mama. First recorded Febuary 17th 1970 at the International Hotel Las Vegas and released on the LP On Stage (1970). Other versions were released on the LP's Aloha From Hawaii (1973), Elvis In Concert (1977) and Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis (1974).

"POLK SALAD ANNIE"
Written by Tony Joe White. Performed by Elvis Presley.
The big hit of Elvis' Vegas shows. A funky bit of southern stuff which usually opened with an Elvis monologue. Thats The Way It Is showed three different interpretations of the song at different stages. Another version of the song was performed in the film Elvis On Tour (1972). Released on the LP's On Stage (1970) and Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden (1972). Later on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"SEPERATE WAYS"
Written by Red West and Richard Mainegra. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Red West's song about Elvis' seperation from Priscilla, obviously emotional and with Charlie Hodge in the background. Elvis is shown recording the track at the MGM studios in Los Angeles, March 27 1972. Released as a single with Always On My Mind on the flipside (1972). Later on the LP's Seperate Ways (1973) and Double Dynamite (1976).

"PROUD MARY"
Performed by Elvis Presley
Like Polk Salad Annie, Elvis took Creedence Clearwater Revival's 1969 hit and made it entirely his own. Released on the LP's On Stage (1970) and Elvis As Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden (1972).

"NEVER BEEN TO SPAIN"
Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis version of Three Dog Nights 1971 hit was a driving track, full of soul with strong vocal backing from the Stamps and Sweet Inspirations. Released on the LP Elvis As Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden (1972).

"BURNING LOVE"
Written by Dennis Linde. Performed by Elvis Presley.
A heavy beat, a variety of guitars and a heavily echoed powerful Elvis made this his first brash single in years. Released as a single with It's A Matter Of Time on the flip side (1972). Performed in rehearsal in this film and released on the LP Aloha From Hawaii (1973).

"DON'T BE CRUEL"
Written by Otis Blackwell. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Shown as a TV clip in this film, this toe tapping 1956 classic never quits. Released as a single with Hound Dog on the flip side (1956). Later on the LP's Elvis Golden Records (1958), Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits, Vol.1 (1971), Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden (1972) and Elvis In Concert (1977)

"READY TEDDY"
Written by Robert Blackwell and John Marascalo. Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis' version of Little Richard's classic in 1956 was slowed down but still rocked. Elvis' appearance on the Ed Sullivan show is included in this film. Released on the EP Elvis Vol.2. Also on the LP Elvis (1956).

"THATS ALL RIGHT"
Written by Arthur Crudup. Performed by Elvis Presley
Released as a single with Blue Moon Of Kentucky on the flip side (1954). Later on the LP's For LP Fans Only (1959), Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden (1972), Elvis A Legendary Performer Vol.1 (1974), Elvis-The Sun Sessions (1976), Elvis In Concert (1977) and on the CD Sunrise (1999).

"LEAD ME, GUIDE ME"
Written by Doris Askers. Performed by Elvis Presley
Straight forward spiritual seen in rehearsal. Released on the LP He Touched Me (1972).

Elvis in Elvis On Tour"BOSOM OF ABRAHAM"
Written by William Johnson, George McFadden and Ted Brooks. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Well known spiritual of medium tempo and short length shown in rehearsal. Released as a single with He Touched Me on the flip side (1972). Also on the LP He Touched Me (1972).

"LOVE ME TENDER"
Written by Elvis Presley and Ken Darby [billed as Vera Matson] Performed by Elvis Presley.
The quintessential Elvis ballad.Released as a single with Any Way You Want Me on the flip-side. (The film version had one extra verse.) Elvis performed the song on all three Ed Sullivan show appearences, on other important TV broadcasts and in documentary films. Elvis actually said he disliked the cut because of flat singing in parts, but there were a million advance orders before its release. It appeared on the EP Love Me Tender (1956) and on several LP's: Elvis Golden Records vol1 (1958), Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol 1 (1970), A Legendary Performer Vol 1 (1974) and Pure Gold (1975). The song was performed on the 1968 NBC TV Special and appears on the on the LP Elvis 68 TV Special and in both concert documentaries, Thats the Way It Is (1970) and On Tour (1972). These versions were unreleased on record. An additional live version appears on the LP Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden (1972). The short end title version from the movie and a stereo version were released on the Jailhouse Rock/Love Me Tender soundtrack CD as a bonus track (1997).

"UNTIL IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO GO"
Written by Buffy Sainte Marie. Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis turned Buffy's 1970 folk tune into a ballad with piano and strings, nicely backed by the Imperials. Released as a single with We Can Make The Morning on the flip side (1971). Later on the LP's Elvis Now (1972) and Elvis A Canadian Tribute (1978).

"SUSPICIOUS MINDS"
Written by Mark James. Performed by Elvis Presley.
The big hit of the Vegas years and the biggest track from the legendary Memphis Sessions. Many live versions exist. Released as a single with You'll Think Of Me on the flip side (1969). Later on the LP's From Memphis To Vegas From Vegas To Memphis (1969), Elvis Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol.1 (1970), Elvis In Person (1970), Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden (1972) and Aloha From Hawaii (1973).

"I JOHN"
Wriiten by Johnson, McFadden, Brooks. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Shown in rehearsal in the film, an excellent Gospel track with backing from the Imperials. Released on the LP He Touched Me (1972).

"BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER"
Written by Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. Performed by Elvis Presley
Dramatic rendition of Simon and Garfunkels hit. The recording made at RCA Nashville studios June 1970 is different from the live version in the film, but the climax complete with the massed voices of the Stamps Quartet and several other vocalists emphasizes the beauty and power of Elvis' voice. Released on the LP Thats The Way It Is (1970). Again on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000).

"FUNNY HOW TIME SLIPS AWAY"
Written by Willie Nelson. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Haunting, sad song with Elvis backed by the Imperials. Released on the LP Elvis Country (1971). Later on the LP Elvis as Recorded At Madison Square Garden (1972).

"AN AMERICAN TRILOGY"
traditional, arranged by Mickey Newbury. Performed by Elvis Presley.
This song, a combination of Dixie, All My Trials and Battle Hymn Of The Republic became a trademark of Elvis' shows. First recorded live on stage at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1972 and released as a single. Other versions were released on the LP's Elvis As Recorded Live On Stage At Madison Square Garden (1972), Aloha From Hawaii (1973) and Live On Stage In Memphis (1974).

"MYSTERY TRAIN"
Written by Sam Philips and Junior Parker. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Elvis performed this song in both Thats The Way It Is and On Tour. Originally released as a single with I Forget To Remember To Forget on the flip side (1955). Later on the EP Any Way You Want Me (1956) and the following LP's For LP Fans Only (1959), The Sun Sessions (1976). Live versions appeared on the albums From Memphis To Vegas From Vegas To Memphis and Elvis In Person (1970).

"I GOT A WOMAN"
Written by Ray Charles. Performed by Elvis Presley
The first song Elvis recorded for RCA in 1956. Released as a single with I'm Counting On You on the flip side (1956) and on the EP Elvis Presley (Blue Suede Shoes) and the LP Elvis Presley (1956). Live versions appear on the LP's Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis (1974) and Elvis In Concert (1977)

"AMEN"
Written by John W Pate Sr. and Curtis Mayfield. Performed by Elvis Presley
Chorus used aa a medley at the end of I Got A Woman in concert performances. Released on the LP Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis (1974).

"A BIG HUNK OF LOVE"
Written by Sid Wyche and Aaron Schroeder. Performed by Elvis Presley
Swinging Rock and Roll released as a single and on the LP 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong (1959). Later on the LP Aloha From Hawaii (1973).

Elvis and J D Sumner"YOU GAVE ME A MOUNTAIN"
Written by Marty Robbins. Performed by Elvis Presley
The song recorded by both Marty Robbins and Frankie Lane in 1969 became a metaphor for Elvis' pain in the aftermath of his divorce. First performed in Elvis On Tour. Released on the LP's Aloha From Hawaii (1973) and Elvis In Concert (1977).

"LAWDY MISS CLAWDY"
Written by Lloyd Price. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Released on the LP Elvis Presley (1956)


"CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE"
Written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore and George Weiss. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Live version of one of Elvis' classic Love songs first used in the film Blue Hawaii (1961).

"MEMORIES"
Written by Scott Davis and Billy Strange. Performed by Elvis Presley
Slow ballad first performed in the 1968 NBC TV Special. Played over the closing credits in this film. Released as a single with Charro on the flipside (1969) and on the LP Elvis NBC TV Special (1968).

Trivia

Elvis On Tour was previously titled "Standing Room Only".

Elvis On Tour - MGM 1972 Colour 93 mins

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