Here’s the big piece I’ve been working on: to accompany the current Elvis-movie programming on the Criterion Channel, I wrote about Elvis’ movie career for Criterion.
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I was pleased by Sidney Lumet’s observations about Elvis. Pleased, but not surprised, given how perceptive and empathetic Lumet’s writing has always been about performers. As is often the case with Elvis, I found myself thinking, “If only…”
I was so excited when I came across that interview. There’s a lot of evidence that T Williams re-wrote his first play – Battle of Angels – into Orpheus Descending – at the behest of Hal Wallis, as a possible vehicle for Elvis. He rewrote it in 1956, the year Elvis hit, and Wallis and Williams were close.
and thank you so much for reading and commenting!