Elvis Presley One day, I'm gonna be the man in the big house.
Most-quoted character in Elvis (2005): in 71 of its 117 quotes
Most scenes with: Colonel Tom Parker (12), Vernon Presley (8), Gladys Presley (6)
Before me there was no such thing as a rock star.
More lines from Elvis Presley
26 quotes Elvis Presley Elvis Presley [during his Comeback Special]
I was down in Florida, the state police decided to come and fill my show. All I had to stand still and all I can move was this little finger here.
Elvis Presley [after performing "Lawdy Miss Clawdy"]
Thank you very much.
Elvis Presley [at the Jacksonville Theater after singing "Don't Be Cruel"]
I'll see you girls backstage.
Elvis Presley [whilst at RCA recording a song]
I don't care how many time's we done it. We're gonna keep on doin' it, till I get it the way I hear it in my head.
Elvis Presley The higher I climb, the lonelier it gets.
Elvis Presley [to Larry Geller]
I swear to God, man. [tearfully] No one knows how empty I feel. I mean no one knows anything about me, man, least of all me. What is this emptiness? I have no right to feel this way.
Elvis Presley 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.
Elvis Presley When I'm on stage, I'm a different person.
Elvis Presley [holds up a newspaper with the headline "Sullivan Vows NO Elvis"]
Ed Sullivan says he wouldn't touch me with a ten foot pole.
Elvis Presley [last lines]
Guess what, Steve? I'm touring Vegas.
Elvis Presley If I'm the boss, get the world off my back.
Elvis Presley [during his Comeback Special]
Oh, wait a minute, wait a minute. [jokingly] Something wrong with my lip. [to a girl in the audience] Remember that one, baby? I done 29 pictures like that.
Elvis Presley The finger, that's right, the finger. I was down in Florida, and the state police decided to come and film my show. All I had to stand still, and all I could move was this little finger here. [jokingly hums and moves his finger] It got more applause than I did.
Elvis Presley I would do anything to make sure my momma and daddy never had to live in poverty ever again.
Elvis Presley There's a lot of people saying a lot of things. But in the end, you got to listen to yourself.
Elvis Presley If I can't move, I can't sing.
Elvis Presley I'm ready. Ready to fly.
Elvis Presley I'm going to show you what the real Elvis is like tonight!
Elvis Presley I‘m so tired of playing Elvis Presley. People rely on me.
Elvis Presley I need to get back to who I really am.
Elvis Presley Some people wanted to put me in jail, because of the way I was moving.
Elvis Presley You know, the first thing I ever recorded, the very first thing was an old rhythm and blues type song called "That's All Right little Mama", and uh back then we only had two or three instruments at the time. But this ain't no nostalgia show. We're gonna do something different.
Elvis Presley I just got to be making the most of this thing while I can. This could be over in a flash.
Elvis Presley A reverend once told me, "When things are too dangerous to say... sing."
Elvis Presley The papers say I shot my mother and smoke marijuana.
Scenes with Elvis Presley
44 scenes
[backstage, dressed in a black leather suit, about to get ready to appear in front of a live audience]
What's going on, Elvis?
Elvis Presley I'm sorry, Steve. I can't do it, man. I can't go on.
What?
Elvis Presley This whole thing was just a bad idea. I haven't played in front of the live audience in more than seven years, man. I don't know if I can do it anymore. What if they don't like me?
"Don't like you?" Oh my God... Elvis, you created rock 'n roll. You're the King. You step out there, your gonna be King again.
It's just like riding a bike, Elvis. Once you get on stage it's gonna be like old times.
Title card
[cut to]
"Before Elvis, there was nothing..." - John Lennon
How's school today, Elvis?
Elvis Presley Fine. They don't talk too much to me there.
I don't doubt it. Those clothes you wear and that hair.
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.
You're right about that.
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]
Oh, no, no, no. I'm not dancing. I'm eating. Is there anymore?
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]
Put that back down, Vernon.
Elvis Presley I'm done, momma. Really. I'm not hungry.
Elvis Presley [In Sun Records]
Ma'am, this is where they make all those R&B Records, right? Rufus Thomas? The Prisonaires?
Marion Keisker That's us.
Elvis Presley Oh ma'am, I like those records a whole lot. I was wonderin', ma'am, if... if anyone needed a singer or somethin'.
Marion Keisker What kind of a singer are you?
Elvis Presley I sing all kinds.
Marion Keisker You sing hillbilly?
Elvis Presley I sing hillbilly.
Marion Keisker Country?
Elvis Presley I sing country.
Marion Keisker Okay, who do you sound like?
Elvis Presley I don't sound like nobody, ma'am.
[after hearing Presley, Moore and Black mess around playing "That's All Right"]
Wait, what the hell was that?
Elvis Presley I don't know, sir. Just messin' around.
You been holdin' out on me, boy?
Elvis Presley What do you mean, sir?
Elvis Presley Well, yes, sir... know lots of it.
Damn. What the hell you been wasting my time for? C'mon! Let's back it up! Try to find a place to start and do it again!
Bill Black [while performing "Blue Moon of Kentucky"]
Sam, Sam, Sam. No, this is terrible. We're just goofing around.
No, that's what I'm talking about. It's gotta be fun, original.
Elvis Presley Bill Monroe's gonna kill us.
Bill Monroe is gonna be too busy counting his money. [to Marion] Marion!
A million dollars?
Sounds like a lot of banana all to me. Elvis is already working too hard. Look how skinny he is.
Elvis Presley Oh, momma, I've been eating everything you've been putting in front of me. And it ain't work. I like it, it's fun.
Time to sell the apples is when they're on the tree not after they fall into the ground. Now, this boy, he's ripe now. So he has to work hard for a couple of years. He's young. He can handle it. Then after couple of years, raking in the cash, he take it easy, do what he wants.
All this TV and movie bushwa. That's all in New York City and California. Whose gonna look after my boy there? I don't trust em kind of folk.
Exactly. Now, Sam Phillips, he's a nice enough fellow, but those big city boys they will eat him for lunch. Me? I'm one of you.
And where is it you're from exactly?
I've wondered the land, much like a gypsy.
Well, thank you for stopping by, Mr. Parker. We'll let you know.
If you would call me Colonel, ma'am.
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.
Elvis Presley [Dixie walks away] [miserably]
Dixie.
Elvis Presley Everything ends.
Well, I guess that's true.
Elvis Presley You know I have a twin brother?
No.
Elvis Presley Jesse Garon. He died when I was born. I still talk to him sometimes. And that's why I think I got such good rhythm. You know I had a back beat there in the whom. Two hearts beating.
Yeah.
Elvis Presley Me and Jesse. And that's why momma frets so. She's just...afraid she's gonna lose me too.
That's not gonna happen. I promised your momma I would take care of you.
Elvis Presley And you have, man. And I appreciate that.
I know you do. Let's get outta here. C'mon.
Bill Black Imagine us on the Dorsey Brother's Stage Show.
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.
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]
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.
[arriving at Graceland]
It was named after the sellers great aunt Grace. You can call it anything you want.
Elvis Presley Graceland. I like it, momma.
We'll put chicken coops and hog pens in the back. Momma will put in her garden. We'll do her bedroom up in pink wallpaper. They said they could have it all ready by September.
Don't it look just like Tara in Gone with the Wind, baby?
Elvis Presley Momma, remember I told you I'd buy you a house. And now you got a palace.
Elvis Presley We can't go back there. It'll be a circus.
But it was nice before.
Elvis Presley Before what, momma? Before we had money? Squabbling over a pork chop?
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.
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.
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?
Elvis Presley Momma... I'm on top of the world.
Elvis Presley [at Fort Hood, Texas] [on the phone to Gladys]
It's all over, momma. They're not gonna remember me when I come back from this.
[on the phone]
Course they are, baby. You just gotta trust the Colonel. [pause, tearfully] I miss you, Elvis.
Elvis Presley [tearfully]
I miss you, momma. [pause] Momma, I gotta go now. The drill sergeant wakes me up just about the time I used to go to bed.
You really gotta go?
Elvis Presley I guess not. I ain't got a lot to say though, momma.
You don't gotta say nothin', baby. Just don't hang up.
Elvis Presley Where you been all night, daddy?
Out with friends.
Elvis Presley Friends my ass. You with that Stanley woman. I know what's going on, daddy! She's married!
It ain't none of your business, Elvis.
Elvis Presley It's just been three months! Your cheating on two people!
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!
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!
How can we forget it. You keep reminding us every time you don't get your way?
Elvis Presley Colonel, I want to talk to you about West Side Story.
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.
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.
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.
Folk's live sad lives. Your job is to give them ninety minutes to forget their pitiful circumstances, 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.
Elvis Presley [after a song]
So what did you think of the song?
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!
Elvis Presley [softly, after a pause]
I'm sorry, Satnin. Come here. [Priscilla shakes her head] Come on.
Elvis Presley [Elvis puts his arm around Priscilla]
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]
Ann-Margret [after rehearsing a scene]
That sure was fun.
Elvis Presley Sure as hell was. You can move, baby.
Ann-Margret You can sing, baby.
Elvis Presley [Elvis watches Ann-Margret walk away]
This is one movie I might enjoy makin'.
Charlie Hodge
She's like a female you.
Elvis Presley Tell me, how far you ever gone on a motorcycle?
Ann-Margret Gentlemen, start your engines.
[they kiss.]
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!
So it's true.
Elvis Presley No, we're not engaged.
But your seeing her! Those gossip rags were true! Why doesn't she take her ass back to Sweden where she belongs!
Elvis Presley [Priscilla angrily throws a melon on the ground] [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?
Elvis Presley [Priscilla hugs Elvis]
I'll go to LA. I'll get this thing straighten out.
Do you know how much money you spent last month? Over 500, 000 dollars. And more the month before. Your gonna break us. Your gonna put us in the poor house.
Elvis Presley I can always earn more money.
Why can't you just stop buyin' stuff?
Elvis Presley Cuz I like the look on folks faces when I buy 'em something, daddy. Oh, you remember when we were dirt poor. How nice it would've been if someone came along and bought me a car.
Well, I ain't sayin' that it ain't a nice thing, but you keep this up, and we're gonna be livin' in a Tupelo shotgun shack again. [Elvis is nodding off] Elvis?
Elvis Presley I gotta take a nap, daddy. Where are my sleepin' pills?
Your noddin' off already. Do you need 'em?
I'm worried about you, son.
Elvis Presley Why? And what are you lookin' at me like that for? Have I got a zit or somethin'?
It's the pills, E. I'm concerned about your health.
Elvis Presley I know what I'm doing.
I'm just trying to help you, son.
Elvis Presley [shouting]
I don't need no advice from the likes of you! You work for me! That's it! Understand?!
I'm your daddy!
Elvis Presley And I'm of age, old man! I don't need a daddy anymore!
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.
Elvis Presley That's none of your business.
Oh, but it is my business. Because no one is going to pay to see a burned out Elvis. And I see you've been late to the set more then once, that's not like you at all.
Elvis Presley [angrily]
Have you even read this piece of crap? Do you know the lines I've gotta say? Oh, you wouldn't hurry up to get here either, Colonel.
Its not professional, son. Now you signed on to do this, you owe them your best.
Elvis Presley I signed on to do this movie because you told me to. I need the money.
And you do. You spend like a drunken sailor, and that's none of my business, but you show up on time and you say the lines stupid or not, that is my business.
Elvis Presley Yes, sir.
And what's this about some religious kick your on?
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.
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.
Are you just bored is that it?
Elvis Presley Well, there's that. I get so lonely.
What about that little girl you got cooped up in there? Does she make you happy?
Elvis Presley Sometimes.
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.
If that's the case, I'd check my watch, because if ever there was a time to set things straight, it's now.
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.
[meeting with Steve Binder]
Let's be frank. I don't think most kids know who the hell you are anymore. It's the 60's, man. You hear what their playing on the radio? The Mamas and the Papas, the Stones, Marvin Gaye...
Elvis Presley I know, I know. I listen to everything. The Rascals, Aretha Franklin.
There's a song out there right now. MacArthur Park, Richard Harris sings it. Would you've sung that tune?
Elvis Presley Damn right. That there's a great song. Jimmy Webb he can flat out right.
Here's what I have in mind. We tape it over three days. The first day, is in front of a live audience. "Elvis' big comeback". Now, I know you'll be nervous, so we'll just get that outta the way. The next two days, we tape several stage numbers, drawing on your own personal and musical life.
Elvis Presley I like it.
There is a problem, Elvis. The Colonel and NBC want you to sing just Christmas songs. Now I think that's too limiting, and the exact opposite of what you should be doing. What do you think?
Elvis Presley [pause]
I think let's do it. [stands and shakes his hand] This is going to be great, Steve.
Elvis Presley [after the success of the sit-down session]
Steve, that was great, man.
Elvis Presley Oh, thank you. Thank you, bro.
Elvis Presley Yeah. New beginning.
[on Colonel Parker]
Why do you put up with him bullying you? Treating you like a child?
Elvis Presley You know, I've thought about that a lot over the years. And I'd try to explain it to you, but you just wouldn't understand.
I think I do.
Elvis Presley How? You know nothing about the world I come from.
Actually, I know a lot about you, Elvis. It's my job. Your not that poor kid from Tupelo anymore. You live in the big house. You can be your own boss man. You've certainly out grown that old carny.
Elvis Presley I gave him my word. Besides, before me there was no such thing as a rock star. He wrote the book on how to make one. Anyone else I'll hire will just have read it.
Well, maybe it's time to write a new book. Your own book.
Elvis Presley What now?
What's this?
Elvis Presley Oh, that's a demo for the finale. Where'd you get it?
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.
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.
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.
A feeling? I'm not sending you out on some cockamamie tour just because of some feeling.
Elvis Presley Then I'll find somebody who will.
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.
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!
Get out of my office!
Elvis Presley You get out of my office! I payed for this office! You're fired!
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!
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.
I was expecting something like this, so I uh, I prepared some documents. [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]
Where we gonna come up with millions of dollars?
Elvis Presley I'll talk to my agent's.
They in cahoots with the Colonel, they won't help us.
Elvis Presley I get us a lawyer. I'll figure something out, daddy.
Lawyer's steal faster than a man with a gun. We could lose everything, E. What about your word? You made the man a promise. He kept up his end of the bargain.
Elvis Presley Well lately, his hands been draggin' in the dirt and I've been doing all the heavy liftin', daddy! Now, I'll figure something out. Please, I'm dying here. I can manage myself.
But how? Is all I'm asking. You can't handle money. I got the bills to prove that. You don't even carry any money on you. Hell, you don't even know your own phone number. How are you gonna manage yourself?
Elvis Presley I'll get somebody else.
Who? [Elvis doesn't say a word] Who, Elvis?
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?
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]
Oh, that. [takes the form] Trifle.
Elvis Presley So where we gonna tour?
Las Vegas. I got us a hell of a deal.
Elvis Presley [Deleted scene only]
Back in Memphis, before things got complicated. I used to go to this park with a friend of mine, and we'd just sit there and look up at the stars and dream, you know?
Another girl?
Elvis Presley [laughs]
Well, yes, another girl. We just sit and throw pebbles in the river, and talk, like we're talking now. [pause] I miss that.
Do I remind you of her?
Elvis Presley No, you're nothing like her. But you remind me of those times.
Good times, I hope?
Elvis Presley Yeah, they were good times. I wasn't sure about how good they were back then, but now when I look back on it... Yeah, they were. I mean, we were poor. Real poor. But momma was there. And I was happy, just lookin' at the stars and dreamin' my dream.
Like now?
Elvis Presley Like now.
[Elvis and Priscilla smile at one another and gently hold hands]
It's just like riding a bike, Elvis. Once you get out there on stage, it's gonna be like old times. Look, I just went out there. Those are your fans, Elvis. You can't let 'em down. You've never let the fans down.
Elvis Presley Well, that's true.
And some of 'em are lookers, Elvis, I ain't gonna lie to you. If nothing else, just do it for me. It'll be one of the few times I get to play to your face instead of your ass.
Elvis Presley [short pause]
Now twelve years I've been on stage with this man, and this is the first word he's ever said to me. First word. [they laugh] And for that now I'm gonna take his guitar. Come on, Scotty, give it up.
I wish to promote you, Mr Presley. Are you ready to fly?
Elvis Presley I'm ready. Ready to fly.
Elvis Presley I ain't wearin' no tails. I just... gotta lay off the moves, is all. Colonel says if I don't, they're gonna put me in jail.
B.B. King
[chuckles]
Come on, man. They're not gonna put you in jail. They might put me in jail for walkin' across the street, but you a famous white boy. Too many people making too much money off you to put you in jail.
Elvis Presley You think so?
B.B. King
I know so. The Colonel's a smart man. There's gotta be another reason.
[After the death of his beloved mother, Elvis is grieving alone in her closet, sobbing quietly. Colonel Parker enters.] [gently]
Your daddy is doing the best he knows how, but he is overwhelmed. He needs your help.
Elvis Presley [crying]
I can't go out there. I just wanna stay here forever.
Oh, my boy. No one could never replace her. But you listen to me. From this moment on, everything she would have done, I will carry out, in her name. When you are overseas, I will stay here at home. And I will work and I will worry. Trust me. Now you go and you stand by your papa. You comfort him. [helps Elvis to his feet] You comfort him. Comfort your friends and your family and even your fans. Hmm? Because if you don't do that, all that your mama has sacrificed for you will be for nothing.
Elvis Presley [Still crying, Elvis embraces Colonel Parker]
No matter what happens, you stay with me through thick and thin, okay? You're like a... like a father to me.
[the Colonel pats him on the back, comfortingly]
Elvis Presley I've never met anyone like you.
Well, I hope not.
Elvis Presley [In 1968, the Colonel is pitching Elvis a Christmas special on TV sponsored by the Singer sewing machine company]
Christmas special. Is this the best we can do, Admiral?
Well, we took the Hollywood phonies for every nickel they had and now it is time to pack up our tents and move on to even greener pastures. We've seen "Elvis the Rebel". We've seen "Elvis the Movie Star". Now we will see "Elvis the Family Entertainer".
Elvis Presley [turning to Jerry]
What did you say? [walks over angrily] Listen, Jerry, I don't need you to question me about how I support my family and every goddamn person here! You understand me? If you don't like it, you can go back to Memphis. [entering his trailer] Laugh it up, assholes.
Elvis Presley [Elvis has called TV producer Steve Binder and record producer Bones Howe out for a meeting at the dilapidated Hollywood sign; Elvis is sitting in the second O]
When I first came up to Hollywood, I'd come up here and sit for hours. [gestures over to the Griffith Observatory] Right over there, the observatory? That's where they shot Rebel Without a Cause. Man, I used to dream about being a great actor like Jimmy Dean. This sign was beautiful then. And now... feels as though lots of things are like that these days. Broke down, beat up. Rotten. I really like what you guys did, putting James Brown and the Stones together.
We're, uh... big fans of yours too. It's just that, Mr. Presley, we don't usually...
Elvis Presley Oh, Elvis.
Elvis, uh... Christmas specials aren't really our thing.
Elvis Presley I know. Tell me, honestly... where do you boys think my career's at right now?
Bones Howe
[Binder looks over to Howe]
Well, it's...
It's in the toilet, Elvis.
Elvis Presley [Elvis looks up at Jerry Schilling and they both begin laughing]
You hear that, Jerry? Oh, Lord. I knew you were the right guys for this job. You know, back when I was starting out, some people wanted to put me in jail, even kill me, 'cause of the way I was moving. So they cut my hair, they put me in uniform and they sent me away. That killed my mother. And ever since then... I've been lost. And when you're lost, people take advantage. I need you fellas to help me get back to who I really am.
And who are you, Elvis?
Elvis Presley I sure as hell ain't somebody who sings Christmas songs by a fireplace for an hour.
And what does the Colonel think?
Elvis Presley I don't give a damn what the Colonel thinks.
[Jerry confronts Elvis over the truth about Colonel Parker]
He lied. There wasn't going to be an international tour 'cause he can't leave the country. He's got no citizenship, no official identity. He doesn't exist. There never was a Colonel Tom Parker.
Elvis Presley What are you talking about, Jerry?
Elvis Presley [Backstage, Elvis has learned the truth about Colonel Tom Parker and exposes him live on stage; Parker himself is sitting in the audience with the owner of the International Hotel]
I'd like to turn the house lights up, ladies and gentlemen. 'Cause now that you've seen me, I'd like to take a look at you. [the audience cheers and applauds as the house lights come up] Oh, you're beautiful. Thank you. Oh, boy!
He'll mention the VIPs that are here.
Elvis Presley We got some high-rollers in here tonight.
Get ready for the spotlight.
Elvis Presley Mr. International Hotel himself!
Elvis Presley And right next to him, is my so-called manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
Elvis Presley [the spotlight turns to Parker, who playfully acts bashful]
But I hear rumors that Colonel is an alien.
Elvis Presley [Elvis grabs a wine glass from someone in the audience and downs it one gulp]
Somebody call the FBI, and tell 'em that he has abducted me... [his voice becoming aggressive] that he has locked me... in this... *golden cage* to keep me here forever... with you, ladies and gentlemen.
Elvis Presley [Audience applauds again] [singing]
So, I'm caught in a trap / I can't get out / 'Cause Colonel's got some big debts, baby.
[The Colonel realizes what Elvis is saying. Elvis gives him a mean look from the stage.]
Excuse me.
Elvis Presley [Colonel leaves]
Well, this is the last show I'm ever playing here. [audience groans] I'm gonna get on my jet plane, the "Lisa Marie". It's named after my, uh... my beautiful daughter, and I'm gonna fly away.
Elvis Presley [the Colonel has arrived backstage in a hurry]
No no no... You know, I'm going to fly away.
[angrily whispering to the stagehands]
Stop the show. Stop this show! Come on, get this curtain down!
Elvis Presley **** the International.
Elvis Presley And Las Vegas.
That's what he wants to know.
Elvis Presley Ain't no one gonna stop me, man. [spots Parker from the wings] Oh, security, Security! [begins babbling nonsensically, grabs another microphone from a band member] Security, security, security! [to Parker, shouting] 800 shows, you don't have a goddamn passport, you son of a bitch! You are fired! [even louder, even angrier] You are fired! [Parker has now walked up to him face-to-face; Presley screams] YOU'RE FIRRRRRRED!!!
Elvis Presley [audience murmurs]
...You're fired. [Elvis drops his microphone and leaves the stage]
Elvis Presley [looking at a payment list for Jamboree Attractions claiming that Elvis and Vernon owe Parker $8,549,761.09]
What is this?
Well, that is what we owe the Colonel. We're broke.
Elvis Presley Daddy, I've been playing this mausoleum for a hundred years, how could we be broke?
You spend so much money, you know, you got the cars and the girls and the clothes, and all the, you know, new airplane...
Elvis Presley Daddy, you are my business manager, you're supposed to be taking care of business...
I don't know what to tell you, son! We're - We're broke! We're plain broke. Gotta take the Colonel back.
Elvis Presley I'm not takin' him back.
We're gonna lose Graceland.
Elvis Presley [pause, in furious anger]
I'm not takin' him back! [throws a table with boxes over] Takes everything from me, he takes 50% of everything that I make! And now he wants to take the home that we bought for momma! Listen to me, daddy. That old bastard can sue if he wants, but I am flying away. With or without you.
[Elvis walks to the elevator]
Elvis Presley [seeing Col. Parker waiting on him after learning he owes him $8 million dollars]
Oh, you blood-sucking old vampire. You bled me dry and you still want more?
I'm not an uncaring man, Mr. Presley.
Elvis Presley Don't you "Mr. Presley" me, you toad!
If you are so determined to get out of our contract...
Elvis Presley You're goddamn right I want out!
Well, I will personally loan you the money that you owe to Jamboree Attractions.
Elvis Presley Yeah, you'll still have your claws in me. You'll still have me working here like a goddamn slave in a salt mine, you phony, no-good piece of trash! I oughta shoot you in your fat, goddamn face. Who are you?
I am you. And you are me.
Elvis Presley Cut the horseshit! Everything I've ever known about you has been a lie.
E.P., y'all good?
[chuckles; stands up in front of Elvis]
My past is the least of your problems, my boy. Everyone else you associate with lives from you, Mr. Presley. Even Vernon. That's right, even your own daddy has looked after himself before he's looked after you. Yes. I have lived from you too, but the difference is you have also lived from me. We have supported each other. Because we shared a dream. We are the same, you and I. We are two odd, lonely children reaching for eternity. Maybe you should fly away, my boy. Away from all of this. But if you do choose to leave... I, for one, would be very lonely. So would your father. [Colonel leaves towards an elevator] But I think you may be lonely, too. [He calls the elevator down] Oh, you see, my boy, the... truth about the Rock of Eternity... [the elevator opens and Colonel enters] ... It is forever just beyond our reach.
