Elvis on the big screen again in remastered film
Published 12:00 am Saturday, July 3, 2010
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Elvis Presley is returning to the big screen again in the remastered film ‘‘Elvis on Tour: 75th Anniversary Celebration,’’ which will be shown July 29 at more than 460 movie theaters around the country.
The movie will feature remastered footage of concert performances and interviews from the 1972 documentary ‘‘Elvis on Tour’’ — the singer’s last film before he died in 1977.
The film’s release commemorates the 75th anniversary of Elvis’ birth and includes a retrospective from his former wife, Priscilla Presley, and a montage supervised by director Martin Scorsese. Some of the tour footage has never been released.
‘‘I was thrilled when I heard fans will be gathering in theaters across America on July 29 for this Elvis experience,’’ Priscilla Presley said in a statement. ‘‘Those of us who witnessed Elvis in concert know how incredible it was to see him performing live.’’
‘‘Elvis on Tour’’ follows the singer on a 15-city U.S. tour in April 1972. Written and directed by Robert Abel and Pierre Adidge, it combines rehearsal and backstage footage along with concert performances of ‘‘Don’t Be Cruel,’’ ‘‘Hound Dog,’’ ‘‘Suspicious Minds’’ and other hits.
It also includes Elvis’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show and his first performance of ‘‘Burning Love.’’
The film will be shown again during Elvis Week in Memphis, the annual tribute remembering his contributions to music and American pop culture. This year’s Elvis Week runs from Aug. 10-16.
The new ‘‘Elvis on Tour’’ also will be available as part of a box set featuring 17 of Elvis’ films presented in Blu-ray and DVD formats. It’s release is set for Aug. 3.