"The Fool" wrote:
Gregory Nolan Jr. wrote:I probably like the astute Geller even more,although some of his California spiritualism (as ridiculed by Goldman quite savagely) hasn't all aged well but he had the respect of Elvis so that's good enough for me. I read his "If I Can Dream: Elvis' Own Story" recently and really enjoyed it for the most part.
I was also was very impressed when I read his
If I Can Dream book in the 80´s. Very impressed. I thought that was the truth. Just because that truth was to my liking. Unfortunately, that truth was not the truth. That I learned much later on. Geller is very pro Elvis, but it is not the truth. These fairytales should not be told, because we want to know the truth. At least some of us do. Elvis is much more exciting without these stupid make-believe stories.
Well, I've actually wanted to hear more feedback and bone up on the reactions to the book. I have my doubts in spots more than once but wanted to put it back to you: have Larry Geller's stories (even if fake, they don't strike me as "stupid") been entirely discredited? Where's the proof? Why does DJC, normally no one's "fool" when it comes to Elvis, speak highly of the book? Do tell on what has been revealed as falsehoods. I had some serious doubts in places, I have to admit.
T.F. wrote:
Gregory Nolan Jr. wrote:As for Dave Hebler, the thing is, the guy wasn't around that long to have joined in the biblio-attack on Elvis, one that haunted his final days. In the big picture, he's a big zero in terms of having had the right to join in such a book. He's the least authentic of anyone in that '77 filmed press conference and seems most "out of place." At least the Wests had some long-earned credibility as long-time friends alarmed by Elvis' lifestyle and decline.
Hey, reading your posts, I know you are an intellectual guy. I love reading your contributions to this forum. But how come you can dismiss Dave Hebler so easily? You say that he is a big zero? Please, elaborate. Are you saying he should not have spoken his mind because he was not there since the 50´s? Just how many months he should have been there to speak his mind?
Well, thanks for the kind compliment. It's admittedly an off-the-cuff comment and I hate to dismiss anyone I've never met and admittedly know little about. Perhaps I was too severe. I did read the book when I was eight or nine... when it came out
But the fact is that Hebler did arrive on the scene rather late and for a brief period at that. All the allegations that this was a " 'get rich quick' tell-all" would have been more apparent had not the more compelling input of the West cousins. Hebler remains a rather marginal figure in the the Presley story, save for his big claim to fame.
I just think before I write a book even about the homeless guy down the street in an alley, I'd better have known him for awhile before I trash him publically in a book. Even Elvis, who they claimed they wanted to "save," deserved the respect you'd give a drug addict in an alleyway.
As disgustingly out of it as Elvis was at the end, the notion that he owed Dave Hebler anything is a bit of a stretch. At least the Wests went back as long-time friends and were embittered in a way that makes more then a little sense.
His line in the press conference shown in "THIS IS ELVIS" strikes me as particularly hollow, the one about "just wanting to see Elvis back in the ring...knocking 'em dead.."
So you write a book with him with a now-infamous tabloid writer? When if it would humilate his 9-year old daughter? Is this how we communicate in this life, even with the famous?
When one is being
paid to trash someone with a lewd and revealing story, such pius reasons for action ring demonstrably false.
Hebler, in my first read (again, not knowing much about him) is that his participation on the face of it comes off as inevitably opportunistic, no matter what he says. His comments in the film seem the least-heartelt or convincing.
I'm prepared to say otherwise if presented with more information. Tell it, people.
whats it mean
