If Only Mom Had Lived (Photoplay, October 1961)

[The fool]

This, to me, is a really interesting interview. I know that most of times these magazine articles and interviews are not to be taken seriously. But this article in Photoplay was written by James Gregory. A well-known name in the Elvis world. And correct me if I am wrong, but to me Photoplay articles seem to be more realiable than most other of these so-called movie magazines.

So, here is an interview made on the set of Follow That Dream. An interview made on the back seat of Elvis´ limousine. To me, this is the real deal. If it is, this is by far the best interview of Elvis talking about his mother.

I would love to hear your opinion of this. Is this interview real? But here it is, for you to judge.

If Only Mom Had Lived
by James Gregory
Photoplay, October 1961

[The fool]

And the last page...

[hilton22000]

Thank you very much for this magazine, very emotionant story. I don't know if the "interview" is true or not, but i know one thing for sure: Elvis really loved Gladys.

[drjohncarpenter]

This, to me, is a really interesting interview. I know that most of times these magazine articles and interviews are not to be taken seriously. But this article in Photoplay was written by James Gregory. A well-known name in the Elvis world. And correct me if I am wrong, but to me Photoplay articles seem to be more realiable than most other of these so-called movie magazines.

So, here is an interview made on the set of Follow That Dream. An interview made on the back seat of Elvis´ limousine. To me, this is the real deal. If it is, this is by far the best interview of Elvis talking about his mother.

I would love to hear your opinion of this. Is this interview real? But here it is, for you to judge.

If Only Mom Had Lived
by James Gregory
Photoplay, October 1961

First of all, that cover is devastating. Jackie Kennedy was such a radiant, charming First Lady. America has not been the same since her husband was killed in Dallas just two years after this magazine was published.

James Gregory's interview is unquestionably authentic, and one wonders if a tape survives, somehow. Elvis is clearly introspective in the summer of 1961, and would remain so for a while. And it seems he did not have many people he could unburden himself to. Gregory caught him in a vulnerable moment, he must have been a kind, older presence. Elvis was also quite diplomatic regarding Vernon's marriage to Dee Stanley.

The chat sounds uncannily like the one he conducted with Lloyd Shearer a year later, on the set of "It Happened at the World's Fair." Elvis was searching for something more than the fame and money he found after coming home from the army.

Thank you for posting this article. It was yet another insight into Elvis at the age of 26.

[rjm]

This was a really important piece. Thank you so much. Always love your articles, but this one is most significant.

Thanks again!

rjm

[George Smith]

Great post, as always, thank you.

A couple of interesting points:

1) "I'll marry ... a schoolgirl ..."

2) There was indeed a drought in Tupelo 1940 - 1944.

[rjm]

Did Bean, or anyone in Tupelo, get killed by lightning strike at that time?

rjm

[George Smith]

Did Bean ... get killed by lightning strike at that time?

Oh, that's deep, very deep ... but I think Orville died around about 1956.

[chris j]

I thought it was genuine too, as it's so detailed and lengthy and exact, and quotes expressions like "That's God's truth" which Elvis would say. And I thought there must have been a tape too, but I don't think it would still exist somehow - it would be one of those things we hear was stored in a damp garage or found full of termite holes. James Gregory did quite a few Elvis interviews and he was the editor of the paperback "The Elvis Presley Story" from about 1960, which has a very nice introduction about JG meeting Elvis after I think a Chicago concert. I think you're right, DJC, about him being an older presence that Elvis might have responded to - always searching for the father figure. Wasn't JG also one of the journalists at the press conference as Elvis embarked for Germany?

[eligain]

I really think you can trace most of Elvis's problems to him losing his mother right at he beginning of his success. I'm sure Elvis also had some guilt over her death and had constant "what if's" through the rest of his life. I lost my mother unexpectedly at a young age 22 years ago and it is still a fresh wound and we talk about still. In so many ways, Elvis's dream became a nightmare.

[rjm]

Did Bean ... get killed by lightning strike at that time?

Oh, that's deep, very deep ... but I think Orville died around about 1956.

rjm

[matilda]

there had to be a tape.nobody can quote all those lines out of his head....unless somebody is makin up a story..

[yaso]

Wonderful interview...Thanks a lot for posting.

[jurasic1968]

Great interview. Thank you very much for posting that. Elvis was so sincere, open and very sad about his loss of his mother - it's clear how changed was after that.