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Bill Black: Imagine us on the Dorsey Brother's Stage Show.
Scotty Moore: Imagine us being on TV the same time as Perry Como.
Red West: That Perry Como's a square, man.
Elvis Presley: What are you talking about? I like Perry Como, you son of a bitch.
Scotty Moore: Imagine us being on TV the same time as Perry Como.
Red West: That Perry Como's a square, man.
Elvis Presley: What are you talking about? I like Perry Como, you son of a bitch.
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Colonel Tom Parker: I was thinking about our conversation yesterday and if you want to tour. Well, I'll set it up. We'll tour.
Elvis Presley: What about the movies?
Colonel Tom Parker: Well, that's gonna be a harder nut to crack. We're obligated to three more films, and the next one is already set up. Something called The Trouble with Girls and How to Get Out of It.
Elvis Presley: Sounds like a winner. What about this? [holds out the Refute of Contract form]
Colonel Tom Parker: Oh, that. [takes the form] Trifle.
Elvis Presley: So where we gonna tour?
Colonel Tom Parker: Las Vegas. I got us a hell of a deal.
Elvis Presley: What about the movies?
Colonel Tom Parker: Well, that's gonna be a harder nut to crack. We're obligated to three more films, and the next one is already set up. Something called The Trouble with Girls and How to Get Out of It.
Elvis Presley: Sounds like a winner. What about this? [holds out the Refute of Contract form]
Colonel Tom Parker: Oh, that. [takes the form] Trifle.
Elvis Presley: So where we gonna tour?
Colonel Tom Parker: Las Vegas. I got us a hell of a deal.
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Colonel Tom Parker: Let's face it, Elvis. The movies ain't doing what they used to and the records their not doing much better.
Elvis Presley: Its all this material you keep shovin' down my throat, Colonel. Hell, you can't polish a turd.
Elvis Presley: Its all this material you keep shovin' down my throat, Colonel. Hell, you can't polish a turd.
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Colonel Tom Parker: Why are you doing this to yourself? This religious kick, the drugs? What is it that you want?
Elvis Presley: You said that to me the first time we met.
Colonel Tom Parker: I remember. Rich and famous. You wanted to be a movie star. Well, I got it for you, so I'm asking you again: What is it you want now?
Elvis Presley: I don't know.
Colonel Tom Parker: Are you just bored is that it?
Elvis Presley: Well, there's that. I get so lonely.
Colonel Tom Parker: What about that little girl you got cooped up in there? Does she make you happy?
Elvis Presley: Sometimes.
Colonel Tom Parker: Why, son. That's more than most folk's ever get. Why don't you latch onto her before she wizes up. The whole scene, it's starting to get unseemly. You hear me? She's legal now, so what are you waiting for?
Elvis Presley: The right time.
Colonel Tom Parker: If that's the case, I'd check my watch, because if ever there was a time to set things straight, it's now.
Elvis Presley: You said that to me the first time we met.
Colonel Tom Parker: I remember. Rich and famous. You wanted to be a movie star. Well, I got it for you, so I'm asking you again: What is it you want now?
Elvis Presley: I don't know.
Colonel Tom Parker: Are you just bored is that it?
Elvis Presley: Well, there's that. I get so lonely.
Colonel Tom Parker: What about that little girl you got cooped up in there? Does she make you happy?
Elvis Presley: Sometimes.
Colonel Tom Parker: Why, son. That's more than most folk's ever get. Why don't you latch onto her before she wizes up. The whole scene, it's starting to get unseemly. You hear me? She's legal now, so what are you waiting for?
Elvis Presley: The right time.
Colonel Tom Parker: If that's the case, I'd check my watch, because if ever there was a time to set things straight, it's now.
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Dixie Locke: I need to spend some more time with you.
Elvis Presley: I just can't right now, Dixie. We gotta drive south. These cats from the hayride have us booked back to back.
Dixie Locke: "Cats?" [tearfully turning away] I've lost you.
Elvis Presley: You haven't lost me. It's just, I could be back driving a truck by next year. I gotta grab what I can. For us.
Dixie Locke: Not for us, Elvis. You got what you always wanted. Good luck with it. [kisses him on the cheek]
Elvis Presley: Dixie. I love you. It's not gonna be like this forever.
Dixie Locke: Then call me when it's over. It's just too hard this way.
[Dixie walks away]
Elvis Presley: [miserably] Dixie.
Elvis Presley: I just can't right now, Dixie. We gotta drive south. These cats from the hayride have us booked back to back.
Dixie Locke: "Cats?" [tearfully turning away] I've lost you.
Elvis Presley: You haven't lost me. It's just, I could be back driving a truck by next year. I gotta grab what I can. For us.
Dixie Locke: Not for us, Elvis. You got what you always wanted. Good luck with it. [kisses him on the cheek]
Elvis Presley: Dixie. I love you. It's not gonna be like this forever.
Dixie Locke: Then call me when it's over. It's just too hard this way.
[Dixie walks away]
Elvis Presley: [miserably] Dixie.
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Elvis Presley: [after a song] So what did you think of the song?
Priscilla Beaulieu: I liked it, it was really sweet. I prefer the fast ones, though, like Jailhouse Rock. Why don't you do more songs like that?
Elvis Presley: [shouting] Dammit! I didn't ask you to tell me how to sing! I just asked you if you liked it that's all! I get enough amateur opinions, I don't need one from you!
[softly, after a pause]
Elvis Presley: I'm sorry, Satnin. Come here. [Priscilla shakes her head] Come on.
[Elvis puts his arm around Priscilla]
Elvis Presley: I'm sorry, its just...I just finished that recording session and I'm real proud of it. Better than the hogwash they give me to sing in them movies. [angrily] Stupid movies, stupid songs! And each one makes more money than the last, so I don't get to tour anymore. But I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you, I promise. And when we get to Vegas, I'm gonna get you the best dress money can buy.
[Priscilla smiles]
Priscilla Beaulieu: I liked it, it was really sweet. I prefer the fast ones, though, like Jailhouse Rock. Why don't you do more songs like that?
Elvis Presley: [shouting] Dammit! I didn't ask you to tell me how to sing! I just asked you if you liked it that's all! I get enough amateur opinions, I don't need one from you!
[softly, after a pause]
Elvis Presley: I'm sorry, Satnin. Come here. [Priscilla shakes her head] Come on.
[Elvis puts his arm around Priscilla]
Elvis Presley: I'm sorry, its just...I just finished that recording session and I'm real proud of it. Better than the hogwash they give me to sing in them movies. [angrily] Stupid movies, stupid songs! And each one makes more money than the last, so I don't get to tour anymore. But I'm sorry, I'll make it up to you, I promise. And when we get to Vegas, I'm gonna get you the best dress money can buy.
[Priscilla smiles]
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Elvis Presley: [after reading a false article about him and Ann-Margret getting engaged] That is an outrageous lie! I can't believe she'd say that!
Priscilla Beaulieu: So it's true.
Elvis Presley: No, we're not engaged.
Priscilla Beaulieu: But your seeing her! Those gossip rags were true! Why doesn't she take her ass back to Sweden where she belongs!
[Priscilla angrily throws a melon on the ground]
Elvis Presley: [grabs Priscilla] Look, dammit! I didn't know things were gonna get out of hand. I wanna woman to understand that things like this might happen. Are you going to be that woman or not? Its over, Cilla. I swear to you, its over. Forgive me. Please?
[Priscilla hugs Elvis]
Elvis Presley: I'll go to LA. I'll get this thing straighten out.
Priscilla Beaulieu: So it's true.
Elvis Presley: No, we're not engaged.
Priscilla Beaulieu: But your seeing her! Those gossip rags were true! Why doesn't she take her ass back to Sweden where she belongs!
[Priscilla angrily throws a melon on the ground]
Elvis Presley: [grabs Priscilla] Look, dammit! I didn't know things were gonna get out of hand. I wanna woman to understand that things like this might happen. Are you going to be that woman or not? Its over, Cilla. I swear to you, its over. Forgive me. Please?
[Priscilla hugs Elvis]
Elvis Presley: I'll go to LA. I'll get this thing straighten out.
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Elvis Presley: Colonel, I want to talk to you about West Side Story.
Colonel Tom Parker: Have a seat.
Elvis Presley: It's a big classic film, and they want me for the lead. I can act the hell out of it, Colonel.
Colonel Tom Parker: Have you seen the shooting schedule? Six months, we can make five films at that time.
Elvis Presley: But it's a chance to do something special, something really good.
Colonel Tom Parker: Elvis, let me give you a lesson on economics. G.I. Blues, your first movie back, one of them "blame musicals" you always grap about. A blockbuster, made us millions. Your second movie, Flaming Star, an ambitious drama, well reviewed, made zilch. What does that tell you?
Elvis Presley: Why don't you tell me, your chomping at the bit.
Colonel Tom Parker: Folk's live sad lives. Your job is to give them ninety minutes to forget their pitiful cir****stances, not rub their faces in some phony writer's misery. What they want to see is some paradise that you can ever afford to visit, lots of pretty girls and Elvis Presley fighting and singing a half dozen songs that we can stick on a soundtrack album. That's our bread and butter, son. We stick with what sells. You don't see the snow cone man switch from cherry juice to prune juice just because he's got some blockage in the poop chute.
Colonel Tom Parker: Have a seat.
Elvis Presley: It's a big classic film, and they want me for the lead. I can act the hell out of it, Colonel.
Colonel Tom Parker: Have you seen the shooting schedule? Six months, we can make five films at that time.
Elvis Presley: But it's a chance to do something special, something really good.
Colonel Tom Parker: Elvis, let me give you a lesson on economics. G.I. Blues, your first movie back, one of them "blame musicals" you always grap about. A blockbuster, made us millions. Your second movie, Flaming Star, an ambitious drama, well reviewed, made zilch. What does that tell you?
Elvis Presley: Why don't you tell me, your chomping at the bit.
Colonel Tom Parker: Folk's live sad lives. Your job is to give them ninety minutes to forget their pitiful cir****stances, not rub their faces in some phony writer's misery. What they want to see is some paradise that you can ever afford to visit, lots of pretty girls and Elvis Presley fighting and singing a half dozen songs that we can stick on a soundtrack album. That's our bread and butter, son. We stick with what sells. You don't see the snow cone man switch from cherry juice to prune juice just because he's got some blockage in the poop chute.
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Elvis Presley: Listen to this. This is how God works. [reading] I may be expressing myself through these beautiful symphonies of light, color, and language that manifests itself as music, but they will hail you as one of the great ones of the day, and think of you as a wonderful preacher, and teacher.
Joe Esposito: Huh?
Elvis Presley: Don't you get it? Ever since momma died, I've been trying to figure these things out. Why God took her away from me? Why he gave me all this success and fame? Why, out of all of the millions, he pick me to be Elvis Presley? Oh, these books are explaining things to me. Why is there so much suffering in the world, Joe? Why am I not happy when he gave me all of this?
Lamar Fike: Don't we make you happy?
Elvis Presley: No, Lamar, you don't. None of this does, that's the whole point. Oh, you guys have to read these books.
Gene Smith: Hey, if it ain't got Batman in it, it ain't in my library.
Joe Esposito: Or naked women.
Elvis Presley: The hell with the lot of you.
Joe Esposito: Huh?
Elvis Presley: Don't you get it? Ever since momma died, I've been trying to figure these things out. Why God took her away from me? Why he gave me all this success and fame? Why, out of all of the millions, he pick me to be Elvis Presley? Oh, these books are explaining things to me. Why is there so much suffering in the world, Joe? Why am I not happy when he gave me all of this?
Lamar Fike: Don't we make you happy?
Elvis Presley: No, Lamar, you don't. None of this does, that's the whole point. Oh, you guys have to read these books.
Gene Smith: Hey, if it ain't got Batman in it, it ain't in my library.
Joe Esposito: Or naked women.
Elvis Presley: The hell with the lot of you.
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Elvis Presley: Tell me, how far you ever gone on a motorcycle?
Ann-Margret: Gentlemen, start your engines.
[they kiss.]
Ann-Margret: Gentlemen, start your engines.
[they kiss.]
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Elvis Presley: We can't go back there. It'll be a circus.
Gladys Presley: But it was nice before.
Elvis Presley: Before what, momma? Before we had money? Squabbling over a pork chop?
Gladys Presley: But I always knew you'd be home for dinner. And Dixie was there, and we'd all go to church together. And I didn't have to worry whether or not you were safe. Or if I look good enough for all them reporters.
Elvis Presley: Oh, momma. You look just fine.
Gladys Presley: [pause] I just want you to be proud of me, Elvis.
Elvis Presley: Proud of you? [kisses her on the cheek] Satnin, you are so beautiful. Now, come on now. Look at all this? Isn't this what we always dreamed of? Oh, momma, this should be the happiest time of our lives.
Gladys Presley: Sometimes I think our kind weren't meant for happiness. Life's pleasures were meant for other folk. Our kind was born for misery and pain. That's God's plan.
Elvis Presley: Then I wanna make you happy. Now what'll it take, momma?
Gladys Presley: [short pause] I'm happy when your happy, son. Are you really happy, Elvis?
Elvis Presley: Momma... I'm on top of the world.
Gladys Presley: But it was nice before.
Elvis Presley: Before what, momma? Before we had money? Squabbling over a pork chop?
Gladys Presley: But I always knew you'd be home for dinner. And Dixie was there, and we'd all go to church together. And I didn't have to worry whether or not you were safe. Or if I look good enough for all them reporters.
Elvis Presley: Oh, momma. You look just fine.
Gladys Presley: [pause] I just want you to be proud of me, Elvis.
Elvis Presley: Proud of you? [kisses her on the cheek] Satnin, you are so beautiful. Now, come on now. Look at all this? Isn't this what we always dreamed of? Oh, momma, this should be the happiest time of our lives.
Gladys Presley: Sometimes I think our kind weren't meant for happiness. Life's pleasures were meant for other folk. Our kind was born for misery and pain. That's God's plan.
Elvis Presley: Then I wanna make you happy. Now what'll it take, momma?
Gladys Presley: [short pause] I'm happy when your happy, son. Are you really happy, Elvis?
Elvis Presley: Momma... I'm on top of the world.
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Elvis Presley: What now?
Colonel Tom Parker: What's this?
Elvis Presley: Oh, that's a demo for the finale. Where'd you get it?
Colonel Tom Parker: It's not a Christmas song, is it. It's one of them long-haired hippie, Communist American hatin' protest songs.
Elvis Presley: Actually, it's more like a gospel style. It's a new direction, Colonel. I like it, and uh, I'm doing it.
Colonel Tom Parker: What's going on here, Elvis?
Elvis Presley: Oh, just a few other new directions, Colonel. I'm gonna tour again. Europe this time. And I don't care that you got some birth certificate problem or uh... your an illegal alien, some folks say. And after Europe, I don't know. Japan. Who knows.
Colonel Tom Parker: Why are you being like this?
Elvis Presley: Cuz I don't wanna be bored anymore, Colonel! I don't wanna sing another song that I don't believe in! I don't wanna make another movie that I don't care about! This TV thing has me excited for the first time in years. I'm having fun with my music and I don't wanna lose that feeling.
Colonel Tom Parker: A feeling? I'm not sending you out on some ****amamie tour just because of some feeling.
Elvis Presley: Then I'll find somebody who will.
Colonel Tom Parker: Son, let me explain some things to you. We have a contract...
Elvis Presley: You always told me your contract can be re-negotiated, broken if need be. Well, maybe its about time we tour up this contract.
Colonel Tom Parker: That's what you want? After all my years of dedication to you and your career? All my work?! You ungrateful hillbilly! I knew you'd betray me!
Elvis Presley: Watch your mouth, you old phony!
Colonel Tom Parker: Get out of my office!
Elvis Presley: You get out of my office! I payed for this office! You're fired!
Colonel Tom Parker: You can't fire me. I quit!
Elvis Presley: I'm holding a press conference this afternoon to tell 'em your fired, you old carny!
Colonel Tom Parker: Go ahead! But if you wanna end our business relationship, your going have to pay up what you owe me.
Elvis Presley: Fine. Write me a bill.
Colonel Tom Parker: I was expecting something like this, so I uh, I prepared some do****ents. [takes out a file case from under his desk] There's money I've advanced you. Then there's uh, bookings that I haven't taken my full commission from! Then there's expenses, future monies to deal with, movie profits... I get a percentage of the residuals on them too, and the records! Then there's uh, there's other items of mutual interest! So you wanna be free of me, [hands out a contract form] you're going to have to pay for the privilege.
[short pause, Elvis takes the form and walks out]
Colonel Tom Parker: What's this?
Elvis Presley: Oh, that's a demo for the finale. Where'd you get it?
Colonel Tom Parker: It's not a Christmas song, is it. It's one of them long-haired hippie, Communist American hatin' protest songs.
Elvis Presley: Actually, it's more like a gospel style. It's a new direction, Colonel. I like it, and uh, I'm doing it.
Colonel Tom Parker: What's going on here, Elvis?
Elvis Presley: Oh, just a few other new directions, Colonel. I'm gonna tour again. Europe this time. And I don't care that you got some birth certificate problem or uh... your an illegal alien, some folks say. And after Europe, I don't know. Japan. Who knows.
Colonel Tom Parker: Why are you being like this?
Elvis Presley: Cuz I don't wanna be bored anymore, Colonel! I don't wanna sing another song that I don't believe in! I don't wanna make another movie that I don't care about! This TV thing has me excited for the first time in years. I'm having fun with my music and I don't wanna lose that feeling.
Colonel Tom Parker: A feeling? I'm not sending you out on some ****amamie tour just because of some feeling.
Elvis Presley: Then I'll find somebody who will.
Colonel Tom Parker: Son, let me explain some things to you. We have a contract...
Elvis Presley: You always told me your contract can be re-negotiated, broken if need be. Well, maybe its about time we tour up this contract.
Colonel Tom Parker: That's what you want? After all my years of dedication to you and your career? All my work?! You ungrateful hillbilly! I knew you'd betray me!
Elvis Presley: Watch your mouth, you old phony!
Colonel Tom Parker: Get out of my office!
Elvis Presley: You get out of my office! I payed for this office! You're fired!
Colonel Tom Parker: You can't fire me. I quit!
Elvis Presley: I'm holding a press conference this afternoon to tell 'em your fired, you old carny!
Colonel Tom Parker: Go ahead! But if you wanna end our business relationship, your going have to pay up what you owe me.
Elvis Presley: Fine. Write me a bill.
Colonel Tom Parker: I was expecting something like this, so I uh, I prepared some do****ents. [takes out a file case from under his desk] There's money I've advanced you. Then there's uh, bookings that I haven't taken my full commission from! Then there's expenses, future monies to deal with, movie profits... I get a percentage of the residuals on them too, and the records! Then there's uh, there's other items of mutual interest! So you wanna be free of me, [hands out a contract form] you're going to have to pay for the privilege.
[short pause, Elvis takes the form and walks out]
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Elvis Presley: Where you been all night, daddy?
Vernon Presley: Out with friends.
Elvis Presley: Friends my ass. You with that Stanley woman. I know what's going on, daddy! She's married!
Vernon Presley: It ain't none of your business, Elvis.
Elvis Presley: It's just been three months! Your cheating on two people!
Vernon Presley: Look, Elvis. I loved your momma as much as a man can love a woman. But I'm tired of crying. I'm a lonely man.
Elvis Presley: It's an insult to her memory!
Vernon Presley: You watch your mouth, son. I know what you've been up to with those French hooch dancers every time you go to Paris. What would your momma say about your hygiene?!
Elvis Presley: I'm the one that pays the bills around here, don't you ever forget it!
Vernon Presley: How can we forget it. You keep reminding us every time you don't get your way?
Vernon Presley: Out with friends.
Elvis Presley: Friends my ass. You with that Stanley woman. I know what's going on, daddy! She's married!
Vernon Presley: It ain't none of your business, Elvis.
Elvis Presley: It's just been three months! Your cheating on two people!
Vernon Presley: Look, Elvis. I loved your momma as much as a man can love a woman. But I'm tired of crying. I'm a lonely man.
Elvis Presley: It's an insult to her memory!
Vernon Presley: You watch your mouth, son. I know what you've been up to with those French hooch dancers every time you go to Paris. What would your momma say about your hygiene?!
Elvis Presley: I'm the one that pays the bills around here, don't you ever forget it!
Vernon Presley: How can we forget it. You keep reminding us every time you don't get your way?
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Gladys Presley: How's school today, Elvis?
Elvis Presley: Fine. They don't talk too much to me there.
Vernon Presley: I don't doubt it. Those clothes you wear and that hair.
Gladys Presley: Don't you start, Vernon. That's his style. Everyone's gotta have a style. You used to have a style, Vernon.
Grandma Minnie: Oh, your daddy was a looker, Elvis.
Vernon Presley: You're right about that.
Gladys Presley: Still is when he sets his mind to it. [on Vernon] Boy could he dance. [to Elvis] Play something on the guitar, maybe your daddy would dance with me. [they laugh]
Vernon Presley: Oh, no, no, no. I'm not dancing. I'm eating. Is there anymore?
Gladys Presley: No. It's all they'd give us down at the pantry. You eat anymore tonight and there won't be enough for the whole week.
Elvis Presley: I'm really not hungry. [Elvis passes his plate to Vernon, who takes a pork chop]
Gladys Presley: Put that back down, Vernon.
Elvis Presley: I'm done, momma. Really. I'm not hungry.
Elvis Presley: Fine. They don't talk too much to me there.
Vernon Presley: I don't doubt it. Those clothes you wear and that hair.
Gladys Presley: Don't you start, Vernon. That's his style. Everyone's gotta have a style. You used to have a style, Vernon.
Grandma Minnie: Oh, your daddy was a looker, Elvis.
Vernon Presley: You're right about that.
Gladys Presley: Still is when he sets his mind to it. [on Vernon] Boy could he dance. [to Elvis] Play something on the guitar, maybe your daddy would dance with me. [they laugh]
Vernon Presley: Oh, no, no, no. I'm not dancing. I'm eating. Is there anymore?
Gladys Presley: No. It's all they'd give us down at the pantry. You eat anymore tonight and there won't be enough for the whole week.
Elvis Presley: I'm really not hungry. [Elvis passes his plate to Vernon, who takes a pork chop]
Gladys Presley: Put that back down, Vernon.
Elvis Presley: I'm done, momma. Really. I'm not hungry.
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Gladys Presley: Why do you keep going out there, son? Enough is enough. Why is it so important to you?
Elvis Presley: Fellas.
[Gene and the others leave]
Gladys Presley: Baby. Why don't you just quit it all right now? We got a wonderful house. We got cars. [tearfully] You're gonna make yourself a good living. Get yourself a furniture store. You can marry a nice girl, have a baby near by and I can come and visit and I can help you raise it. You would make me the happiest woman in the world. Please, honey.
Elvis Presley: Look at me, Satnin. Look at me. When I'm on stage, I'm a different person. I am. It's hard to explain. It's like I've got goosebumps all over my body, only it's not goosebumps. It's not a chill either. It's like a surge of electricity, only stronger than that. Sometimes it's so strong, I feel my heart's gonna explode. No, momma. No. It's a good thing. It's a real good thing and I don't know what I'd do if I had to stop and I'm gonna be a movie star, momma. I'm gonna be a real, serious movie star. I can't stop, Satnin. I can't.
Elvis Presley: Fellas.
[Gene and the others leave]
Gladys Presley: Baby. Why don't you just quit it all right now? We got a wonderful house. We got cars. [tearfully] You're gonna make yourself a good living. Get yourself a furniture store. You can marry a nice girl, have a baby near by and I can come and visit and I can help you raise it. You would make me the happiest woman in the world. Please, honey.
Elvis Presley: Look at me, Satnin. Look at me. When I'm on stage, I'm a different person. I am. It's hard to explain. It's like I've got goosebumps all over my body, only it's not goosebumps. It's not a chill either. It's like a surge of electricity, only stronger than that. Sometimes it's so strong, I feel my heart's gonna explode. No, momma. No. It's a good thing. It's a real good thing and I don't know what I'd do if I had to stop and I'm gonna be a movie star, momma. I'm gonna be a real, serious movie star. I can't stop, Satnin. I can't.