Monthly Archive for November, 2009

The Story Behind Elvis Presley And Blue Hawaii

Published on November 28, 2009 in Elvis Presley Biography. 0 Comments

Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii is a 1961 comedy musical film that features the beautiful scenery of Hawaii. This film embarks on the new life of Chad Gates (Elvis Presley) away from military life. As the story goes, Gates is happy to be back in Hawaii, where he enjoys surfing Hawaii's blue waves with his girlfriend and beach buddies.

Much of the film was shot at one of the infamous resort hotels in Hawaii; the Coco Palms Resort. In fact, movie experts say that the last 20 minutes of the movie was shot close to the resort if not on the grounds of the resort itself.

Coco Palms Resorts exposure to Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii has brought it fame and a reputation. The film featured many of the resorts tourist attractions such as the so-called Call to Feast, a torch lighting ceremony, the conch shell-blowing doorman which greets the visitors upon checking in at the resorts lobby, and the wedding ceremonies at the Wedding Chapel. The latter created higher demands for weddings at the resort.

With the amazing venue and scenery that Coco Palms Resort brought to Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii, Elvis himself couldn't get over the place. So he still frequently visited even after the shooting of the movie. Sources say that Elvis usually occupied cottage number 56 of the Coco Palms Resort.

Elvis Career

Movie critics and experts say that Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii has definitely established the tone for the kings future movies. With Blue Hawaii's picturesque location, heaps of mediocre songs, and good-looking girls, this movie created a trend in Elvis movies, setting a true-blue Elvis trademark of beach and bikini style films.

In light of this movie, an album with the same title was released in the same year. This album featured many Hawaiian songs such as Island of Love and Aloha-O, which reflected the romantic Hawaiian customs and traditions.

With both the movie and the album, critics say that Elvis Presley's Blue Hawaii created a bond that no other person can change. The link that ties Elvis and Hawaii is as strong as it is today, where people continue to associate Hawaii with Elvis. Disney's animated movie, Lilo and Stitch even acknowledged Elvis's songs and his presence in Hawaii as they incorporated much of Elvis's Hawaiian songs into the movie soundtrack.

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Elvis Top Bills Jailhouse Rock

Published on November 25, 2009 in Elvis Presley Biography. 0 Comments

Way before Whitney Houston and Beyonce Knowles did it, Elvis Presley did it. What we mean by that statement is singers crossing over to movies.

Jailhouse Rock is a movie that was directed by Richard Thorpe and released in November of 1957. It stars the King, Elvis Presley alongside actress Judy Tyler and actor Mickey Shaughnessy. This was Elvis' third movie.

When it was released, Elvis had a hard time watching it because co-actor Tyler was killed in a car accident a few weeks before. The King was quite upset that he couldn't get himself to sit through the entire film.

Presley is Vince Everett, an ex-convict who is trying to break into the music industry. Obviously, the film was trying to make it similar to Elvis public image. Sent to jail after a bar fight (which he was convicted of starting), Everett befriended Hunk Houghton. They formed a bond. Houghton taught Everett how to play the guitar. He also taught him how to sing.

After his release, Everett started working at night clubs where he met Peggy Van Alden. Peggy was a talent scout for a record company. She agreed to let Everett record a song. They brought it to the executive of a small record label. But the record was arranged and prepared for the labels established singers. Therefore, Everett and Peggy started their own label which brought him notoriety to the public, riches and a movie career.

Then here's the twist. Houghton showed up and wanted to get into the action. The entire film showed Everett as some kind of a spoiled star who treated those around him with disrespect and cruelty, especially the two people who helped him get where he was: Peggy and Houghton.

A brawl resulted in Everett damaging his vocal chords which caused an uncertainty of whether he could sing ever again. He learned his lesson about humility and expressed his feelings for both Peggy and Houghton.

Teenagers got to see a different Elvis. He displayed bad behavior and broke the rules of what should be accepted. It ignored the parameters set by what then was a conservative decade. Regardless, it still made a lot of money.

Elvis' performance in this movie made him join the Bad Boy ranks with James Dean in Rebel Without A Cause and Marlon Brando in The Wild One.

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Elvis Presley Costumes

Published on November 22, 2009 in Elvis Presley Biography. 0 Comments

Elvis The King: the Popular All-Kinds-of-Party Disguise

When Elvis Presley had his first recording, though not that professional, for his mothers birthday, he had no idea of how his songs would travel far and wide. But just as good as they were through, his songs definitely soared higher than expected and everything about him was phenomenal, from his songs to his costumes.

And what could be more descriptive of Elvis Presley than his costumes. Elvis Presley's costumes were his unique trademark, making him more popular than the rest of his co-entertainers.

Not Just a Simple Jail House Rock

There are lots of people who still go crazy over Elvis Presley. Just look at how many people still line up whenever there is a sale on Elvis memorabilia.

So if you have ever found yourself in the midst of preparing for a particular costume party and not just a simple jail-house-rock kind of thing, whether it is a Halloween or birthday party, you probably want to use Elvis Presley costumes not just because they are an all time favorite for any kind of party but you are a die-hard Elvis fan.

Here are some tips on how to come up with an Elvis Presley costume:

1. Hair and make-up

If you really want to reflect the typical Elvis Presley by using his costumes, you'd better start with the hair and make-up. You need to find those Elvis look-alike wigs that are being sold on the market or in novelty stores. You may opt for that standard Elvis look with sleekly combed hair with matching wide sideburns or the Rock Star wig with soft, classic rock star waves.

For the perfect finish, you may add some foundation if your skin is darker than Elvis's.

2. Sunglasses

Elvis was popular and widely recognized for his trademark sunglasses. It is one of those items that when not included, you can't simply say you are wearing an Elvis Presley costume.

3. Clothes

Of course, to complete the Elvis Presley costume, you need to wear clothes that reflect the archetypal Elvis look. You can wear long sleeves and sleek, bell bottom or flared pants. Just be sure to emphasize the wide collar and vinyl-looking fabric. Top it off with complete accessories such as rhinestones, sequins, belt, glitters, and gold studs.

All of these things represent a typical Elvis Presley costume. Costumes can make or break your look at the party. With an Elvis Presley costume, you'll definitely stand out.

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