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Thats The Way It Is - MGM 1970 Colour 97 mins


Elvis in Thats The Way It IsDirector Denis Sanders
Producer Dale Hutchinson
Panavision

 

Musicians
James Burton Lead Guitar, John Wilkinson Rhythm Guitar, Charlie Hodge Rhythm Guitar, Jerry Scheff Bass, Glen Hardin Piano, Ronnie Tutt Drums, Millie Kirkham Vocal, Imperial Quartet Vocals, Sweet Inspirations Vocals


Plot

Original Movie PosterVideo ReleaseExcellent documentary on the Las Vegas Years. Includes rehearsal footage as well as live performance and some great scenes of Elvis and the guys clowning around on a tandem. Musical highlights include Just Can't Help Believin' and Elvis' version of Simon and Garfunkel's classic Bridge Over Troubled Water.

 

 


Musical Soundtrack

Soundtrack Album"Songs In Rehearsal"
WORDS. Written by Barry Gibb- Robin Gibb- Maurice Gibb. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Elvis cover of the 1968 Bee Gee's hit was a stage version marvelously arranged with exquisite backing vocals from the Imperials and the Sweet Inspirations. Three snippets were included in That's The Way It Is, but not released until the special edition CD (2000-see below). Other live versions were released on the LP's From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis (1969) and Elvis In Person (1970).

"THE NEXT STEP IS LOVE"
Written by Paul Evans, Paul Parnes. Performed by Elvis Presley
Controlled ballad, gentle, unhurried with a C&W feel. Studio version was recorded June 7 1970 at RCA Nasville Studios. Released as a single with I've Lost You on the flip side and on the soundtrack LP (1970). Later on the LP Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol.2 (1971) and on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000).

Elvis in rehearsal in Thats the Way It Is"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)

"CRYING TIME"
Written by Buck Owens. Performed by Elvis Presley
C&W song recorded by Buck Owens in 1964, later a hit for Ray Charles (1966). The version Elvis and the guys perform in Thats The Way It Is was not released on the original soundtrack LP.

"THATS ALRIGHT"
Written by Arthur Crudup. Performed by Elvis Presley
The live version in Thats The Way It Is remained unreleased until the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000).Other versions were released as follows:-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).

Elvis in rehearsal in Thats the Way It Is"LITTLE SISTER/GET BACK"
Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Schuman (Little Sister) Lennon and McCartney (Get Back). Performed by Elvis Presley.
Catchy R&B number with excellent vocals by Elvis. The version in Thats The Way It Is (a medley combined with the Beatles classic Get Back) was unreleased on the soundtrack LP until the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"WHAT I'D SAY
Written by Ray Charles. Performed by Elvis Presley.
A snippet of the song originally performed in Viva Las Vegas (1964) appears in Thats The Way It Is but was unreleased on the soundtrack LP.

"STRANGER IN THE CROWD"
Written by Winfield Scott. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Recorded at the RCA Nashville Studios June 5 1970. Only a tiny part of the song was featured in the film. Released on the soundtrack LP (1970). Later on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000).

"HOW THE WEB WAS WOVEN"
Written by Clive Westlake and David Most. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Elvis is seen at the piano singing this solo. Released on the soundtrack LP (1970). Later on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000).

Elvis in Thats the Way It Is"JUST CAN'T HELP BELIEVIN'"
Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Excellent ballad starts softly with Elvis using the power of his voice as he sings"This time the girl is gonna stay". Released as a single with Bridge Over Troubled Water on the flip side and on the soundtrack LP (1970). Later on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"YOU DONT HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME"
Written by Vicki Wickham, Simon Napier, Bill P Donaggio and V. Pallavicini. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Ballad with strings and horns backing. Recorded at the RCA Nashville studios June 6 1970 (another version was cut in August (1970) at the MGM studio). Released as a single with Patch It Up on the flip side (1970). The studio version was later released on the LP Elvis:The Other Sides Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol.2 (1971). Other versions were released on the soundtrack LP (1970) and a shorter version on the LP Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden (1972). Again on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"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 rehearsal scene in the film, but the climax complete with the massed voices of the Imperials and several other vocalists emphasizes the beauty and power of Elvis' voice. Released as a single with Just Can't Help Believin' on the flip side and on the soundtrack LP (1970). Again on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

Elvis in rehearsal in Thats the Way It Is"YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVING FEELING"
Written by Phil Spector, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Elvis version of the Righteous Brothers 1964 hit has great power, soul and style. Released on the soundtrack LP (1970) and on Elvis As Recorded Live At Madison Square Garden (1972). Again on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"MARY IN THE MORNING"
Written by Johnny Cymbal and Michael Rashkow. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Gentle Love Song with acoustic guitar and harmonica. Recorded at the International Hotel Las Vegas 1970 and released on the soundtrack LP (1970). Again on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"On Stage"
MYSTERY TRAIN/TIGER MAN. Written by Sam Philips and Junior Parker (Mystery Train) J.H Lewis and S. Burns (Tiger Man). Performed by Elvis Presley.
Excellent medley full of energy and some great guitar work from James Burton. First recorded at the Burbank Studios June 27 1968 and released on the LP Singer presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star And Others (1968). The medley was later recorded at the International Hotel Las Vegas and released on the LP From Memphis To Vegas/From Vegas To Memphis (1969). Another version appears on the LP Elvis In Person (1970). Again on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"THAT'S ALRIGHT (see above)"

Elvis on stage in Thats the Way It Is"I'VE LOST YOU"
Written by Ken Howard and Alan Blaikely. Performed by Elvis Presley
Emotional ballad sung with great power by Elvis. The studio version is far more tame. Recored at the RCA Nashville Studios June 1970. Released as a single with The Next Step Is Love on the flip side (1970). Later released on the soundtrack LP (1970). Again on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"JUST PRETEND"
Written by Doug Glett and Guy Fletcher. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Strong ballad backed with horns and strings. Recorded June 1970 at RCA Nashville studios. Not included in the original film, but used in Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2001). Released on the soundtrack LP (1970). Later on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition.(2000)

"PATCH IT UP"
Written by Eddie Rabbit and Rory Bourke. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Scorching rocker. Released as a single with You Don't Have To Say You Love Me on the flip side and on the soundtrack LP (1970). Later on Elvis The Other Sides-Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol.2 (1971). Again on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

Elvis on stage in Thats the Way It Is"LOVE ME TENDER"
Written by Elvis Presley and Vera Motson. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Live version from Thats The Way It Is. Unreleased until the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000).

"YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN FEELING"
See above.

"SWEET CAROLINE"
Written by Neil Diamond. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Elvis version of Neil Diamonds classic with catchy guitar licks by James Burton. Released on the LP On Stage (1970). Again on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"JUST CANT HELP BELIEVIN'"
See above.

"BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER"
See above

"HEARTBREAK HOTEL"
Live version of Elvis' blues classic. Released on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000).

"ONE NIGHT"
Written by David Bartholomew and Pearl King. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Live version of Elvis' 1957 classic from Thats The Way It Is. Unreleased by RCA.

"BLUE SUEDE SHOES"
Written by Carl Perkins. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Live version of Elvis' 1956 classic from Thats The Way It Is. Unreleased on the soundtrack album.

Elvis in Thats the Way It Is"ALL SHOOK UP"
Written by Otis Blackwell. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Live version from Thats The Way It Is. Released on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000).

"SUSPICIOUS MINDS"
Written by Mark James. Performed by Elvis Presley.
Excellent live version from Thats The Way It Is which was unreleased by RCA until the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000).

"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). Released on the CD Thats The Way It Is Special Edition (2000)

"YOU DONT HAVE TO SAY YOU LOVE ME"
See above.

TTWII Special Edition/MGM/Turner Entertainment 2001 92 mins

Thats The Way It Is Special Edition DVD Release (Region 2) (2001)Director Dennis Sanders
Producer Rick Schmidlin
Executive Producers Roger L. Mayer, George Feltenstein
Production Consultant Ernst Mikael Jorgensen
Post Production Supervisor Brad Arensman
Panavision and Metrocolor

Musicians
James Burton Lead Guitar, John Wilkinson Rhythm Guitar, Charlie Hodge Rhythm Guitar, Jerry Scheff Bass, Glen Hardin Piano, Ronnie Tutt Drums, Millie Kirkham Vocal, Imperial Quartet Vocals, Sweet Inspirations Vocals

Plot

Thats The Way It Is was reissued early 2001 with previously unseen footage and much of the fan interviews removed. This leaves us with a much improved film that focuses on Elvis far more than the original. Rehearsals and studio work offer a fascinating look behind the scenes for the first third of the film, followed by concert footage compiled from six shows. The sound and video have been remastered and the result is a superb concert experience.

Musical Soundtrack

Thats The Way It Is Special Edition CD(2000)The following songs were included in the movie:-

"Songs In Rehearsal"
Mystery Train/Tiger Man, Thats All Right, Little Sister/Get Back, Words, My Baby Left Me, Crying Time, Love Me, Twenty Days and Twenty Nights, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Cattle Call, Chime Bells, Santa Claus Is Back In Town, Mary In The Morning.

"On Stage
Thats All Right, I Got A Woman, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, Love Me Tender, I Can't Stop Loving You, Just Pretend, The Wonder Of You, In The Ghetto, Patch It Up, You've Lost That Loving Feeling, Polk Salad Annie, One Night, Don't Be Cruel, Blue Suede Shoes, All Shook Up, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me, Suspicious Minds, Can't Help Falling In Love.

The soundtrack album was reissued in summer 2000 track listing as follows:-

CD-1 The original album plus bonus tracks.

I Just Can't Help Believin'/ Twenty Days And Twenty Nights/ How The Web Was Woven/ Patch It Up/ Mary In The Morning/ You Don't Have To Say You Love Me/ You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling/ I've Lost You/ Just Pretend/ Stranger In The Crowd/ The Next Step Is Love/ Bridge Over Troubled Water/ Love Letters/ When I'm Over You/ Something (Live, 11/8/70)/ I'll Never Know/ Sylvia/ Cindy Cindy/ Rags To Riches.

CD-2 August 12th, 1970, midnight show.

That's All Right/ Mystery Train - Tiger Man/ Hound Dog/ Love Me Tender/ Just Pretend/ Walk A Mile In My Shoes/ There Goes My Everything/ Words/ Sweet Caroline/ You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'/ Polk Salad Annie/ All Shook Up/ Little Sister - Get Back/ I Was The One/ Love Me/ Are You Lonesome Tonight/ Bridge Over Troubled Water/ Suspicious Minds/ Can't Help Falling In Love (August 12th, 1970)

CD-3 Unreleased" live material, and rehearsals.

Elvis rehearsing with the Sweet InspirationsI Got A Woman (Aug. 11 1970)/ I Can't Stop Loving You (Augt. 10, 1970); Twenty Days And Twenty Nights (August 12, 1970)/ The Next Step Is Love (Aug. 10, 1970), You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Aug. 10, 1970)/ Stranger In The Crowd (Aug. 13, 1970)/ Make The World Go Away(Aug. 13, 1970)/ Don't Cry Daddy (Aug. 13, 1970)/ In The Ghetto (Aug. 13, 1970)/ Peter Gunn Theme(July 15, 1970)/ That's All Right (July 15, 1970))/ Cottonfields (July 15, 1970)/ Yesterday(July 15, 1970)/ I Can't Stop Loving You (July 15, 1970)/ Such A Night (July 29, 1970)/ It's Now Or Never (July 29, 1970)/ A Fool Such As I (July 29, 1970); Little Sister/Get Back (July 29, 1970)/ I Washed My Hands In Muddy Waters (July 24, 1970)/ Johnny B. Goode (July 24, 1970)/ Mary In The Morning (July 24, 1970)/ The Wonder Of You (July 24, 1970)/ Santa Claus Is Back In Town(Aug. 4, 1970)/ Farther Along (Aug. 4, 1970)/ Oh Happy Day (Aug. 7, 1970)

Trivia

The DVD was scheduled for January 2001, but was postponed because of copyright problems.

Are You Lonesome, which was used during the closing credits, had to be removed.

There was a major mistake in the cover-art discovered and Turner decided to withdraw it to replace the cover. The DVD was released in the U.S.A April 2001 and August 2001 in the U.K.

Another mistake was left uncorrected. A couple of the small pictures used on the package aren’t from “That’s The Way It Is” but for instance from "On Tour".

The DVD featured a short behind the scenes documentary entitled Patch It Up:The Restoration of Elvis Thats The Way It Is. The original 1970 theatrical trailer was also included on the DVD.

Elvis fans were angered by the deletion of the promised bonus material listed below:-
Don't Baby Let's Play House, Cattle Call, Eating Burgers, Farther Along, Hey Jude, I Just Can't Help Believin', I've Lost You, Little Sister/Get Back (Alternate), Mystery Train/Tiger Man (Alternate), Oh, Happy Day, Party Sequence, Poem/Walk a Mile in My Shoes, Something, Stranger in the Crowd, Sweet Caroline, Yesterday, You Don't Have To Say You Love Me (Alternate)

TTWII Special Edition Jan 2001

Thats The Way It Is - MGM 1970 Colour 97 mins

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