Presley Takes Hollywood (1956 article)

[The fool]

Presley Takes Hollywood
by Army Archerd
Photoplay, December 1956

[The fool]

Also in this magazine...

[mackinnonhaze]

Do you happen to have any of the Love Me Tender photos a little larger - thanks in advance.

[drjohncarpenter]

As always, an interesting share, adding to our Presley knowledge, thank you.

Army Archerd, long-time scribe for Variety magazine, was with Presley during the first soundtrack session at 20th Century Fox on 8-24-1956 (Fri). I did not recall that shirt he was wearing was ... pink!

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"... he walked over to the piano, sat down, and started pounding out a boogie beat."



The columnist mentions actors Nick Adams and Dennis Hopper stopping by during the studio session. He must have been quietly thrilled. Both had been in "Rebel Without A Cause" starring James Dean, a film so important to Elvis he had memorized the entire script after multiple viewings.

Archerd also related his visit to Elvis' studio bungalow, perhaps the day before, for a private run-through of "Love Me Tender" with arranger Ken Darby playing piano.

It was new to learn "on his first Saturday night in Hollywood" (August 19th) Elvis went to the Pike in Long Beach. I have no doubt he took more than one ride on "Cyclone Racer" with cousin Gene Smith in tow. He loved 'em.

Cyclone Racer_Long Beach_circa 1956.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pike


It was also new to learn Elvis went -- or was sent -- to Fat Jones Stables in North Hollywood to practice his horseback riding for his film debut. Owner Clarence "Fat" Jones put him on a veteran equine, "Old Jim." See more on Jones below.

I wonder if the singer mentioned he'd been horseback riding in Biloxi the month before ...

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Los Angeles Times - Sunday, December 13, 1959
Sunday "San Fernando Valley" subsection.