"Elvis On Tour"...touching and sad

[NEA]

I've been a big fan of this movie since I first viewed it on TV in 1982. Infact, it was the very first Elvis movie that I owned on VHS when it was released in the UK in 1984. So, needless to say, along with probably "Jailhouse Rock" it is the movie that I've seen the most times.

Elvis, professionally, is in wonderful form on stage throughout this movie and he certainly delivers the goods with his powerful renditions of the likes of "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "Never Been To Spain" and "You Gave Me A Mountain" to name but a few. But, as the years have gone by, and I obviously have aged somewhat, whenever I view "On Tour" now I feel somewhat perplexed and quite sad after witnessing our man as THE Master Showman of all time. There appears to be something missing within Elvis the private man that was just not present 20 months earlier during the filming of "Elvis - That's The Way It Is". Yes, it probably is the 'Priscilla leaving' situation but also the 'fun' factor is somewhat different too compared to the previous documentary. I feel that the bodyguards are more tense and calculating during "On Tour" - was this due to the fact that Elvis was more tense as well?

Elvis strikes me as not a happy person at all during the making of this movie, but only when he is performing on stage does his enduring flame burn for all to see. It is really quite touching to watch. Maybe a revamped "On Tour" with unseen out-takes and all will go to change my opinion?...maybe not?

Any thoughts guys?

NEA.

[michu]

Guess it's true.Elvis seems to be little sad during ON TOUR and he looks not good.He is very pale.

[0349054]

Yeah I really like Elvis On Tour. It's great, but I cant help thinking how much better it could have been. There is no doubting how great Elvis sounded, but his appearence isnt that great in On Tour. Maybe it has a lot to do with the way the whole thing was filmed. Elvis tends to look really pale, tired and slightly over-weight throughout On Tour. I'm just wondering now, what Elvis thought of the finished product and of his own appearence in the movie? I have heard him talk about TTWII on Soundboard recordings, but never heard him make reference to On Tour. Anyone know?

[EnigmaticSun]

I'm now very much able to comprehend the extent of Elvis' suffering and his loneliness and I do not care that much for his health problems because it has come to pass, it's reality and it's the voice that makes or breaks the performer.

Elvis in the 70's - there is this incredible passion; the big opera voice of the later years with this immense pathos. I think the Vegas years are underrated.

I really like his sensitivity with songs like 'Seperate Ways' and 'Always On My Mind'. Something which is also very, very important is that Elvis sings some gospel songs in 'On Tour'. This essential part of our hero was less visible in That's The Way It Is.

Those among humans who carry a heavy load on their neck and shoulders aren't the least among men.

[nabelt24]

Posted by EnigmaticSun
I really like his sensitivity with songs like 'Seperate Ways' and 'Always On My Mind'. Something which is also very, very important is that Elvis sings some gospel songs in 'On Tour'. This essential part of our hero was less visible in That's The Way It Is.



Elvis was recording and performing some incredible music during this time. It seemed he'd found a real interest in the lyrical aspsect of the material he was doing. There are some great performances in "Elvis On Tour" and I agree that you can see the passion he had with the gospel music he performed!


Posted by NEA
There appears to be something missing within Elvis the private man that was just not present 20 months earlier during the filming of "Elvis - That's The Way It Is".


I understand what you see here. This was a difficult time in his life with Priscilla leaving him and I believe that contributed to the material he was recording as well, such as "Seperate Ways" and "Always On My Mind". I also believe that the new schedule he was on with the return to touring gave an added stress to the performer and his crew.

[0349054]

Critically, the Vegas years are underrated, but towards the end of the Vegas years, Elvis wasn't that interested in playing that place anymore, and its noticeable in the quality of his performances. Just like the movie contracts tied him in, Elvis and the Colonel tied him into a Vegas contract that was just too long.

[joanne]

Does anyone know what Elvis thought about Thats The Way It Is and Elvis On tour?

[NEA]

Joanne,

From what I found out through the years regarding Elvis' reception of both his movie-documentaries he was absolutely ecstatic about both. If my memory serves me correctly E's quote re: "T.T.W.I.I." was along the lines of: "Best movie I've made in seven years!" - possibly referring to "Viva Las Vegas" (1963)as his best scripted movie of the sixties.

I also heard that he was jubilant that "On Tour" won the Best Documentary Golden Globe as he was watching the awards on TV when it was announced.

NEA.

[NEA]

I think EP had every reason to be proud of both movies as they portray a wonderful stage performer creating his own arrangements in every field of music. And, casting aside the personal problems he was experiencing during the time of his April 72 Tour, it still is a fantastic film record of Elvis the ultimate performer. For talking's sake, if the companies that be were never able to release anymore material from "Elvis On Tour" (God Forbid!), and they were only in a position to remaster the original movie - then we still have the original and best document of this when it finally makes it's DVD debut.

Nevertheless, it just so happens that us fans know the score and certainly know about the quite vast amount of footage still in the can. So, personally, I would like to see a lot more of the humorous side of the 'touring Elvis' in the future release of this DVD set. I feel there needs to be an even balance of the touching and the not-so-touching just like in "That's The Way It Is Special Edition". For example, the unreleased scenes of Elvis pouring water over Lamar Fike backstage and also throwing water at Glen during the Greensboro concert. Plus, how about extended scenes relating to the clips backstage and in the limo from "This Is Elvis"?

I think it would be a great idea to include such scenes in a "EOT - Special Edition" just to prove to the public that it wasn't always 'Tense' and 'Personal' being 'On Tour' with The King.

Food for thinking...

[dennyelvis]

I have to agree with all ur comments guys .... but i would still love to see a
deluxe edition :cool:

[NEA]

A Deluxe it shall be, Denny...A Deluxe it shall be...

NEA.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I think the way EOT was filmed and editied did little to help the way it looked.

EOT looks dated with the three screens etc (Could be mixed much better these days), the quality has not stood the test of time and could well do with being digitally remastered. If you look at the Blue Nail Jumpsuit it looks nothing like the photo's taken on stage

To be perfectly honest this was an Elvis who had come to realise that touring could have it's setbacks with regards to BEING REPETITIVE and formulaic.

The car scene going over the bridge kind of sums up how Elvis was feeling at the time, Lost and Introspective.

Matt

[orwell1976]

Compared to TTWII Elvis looks not too well. His face is white and puffy (although the rest of his body seems to be ok) and in some scenes, especially if you watch the outtakes, he seems to be hiding behind his glasses. But his voice was great back then. To me his renditions of BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER and YOU GAVE ME A MOUNTAIN are the definite ones, the same goes for LAWDY MISS CLAWDY and POLK SALAD ANNIE. I would say, that Elvis started to show some wear and tear but he was still very much intact as an artist. EOT was and still is my favorite concert movie and Turner should release a SE in perfect picture quality and in dts / Dolby Digital 6.1. It would be a smasher.

(y)

[KPM]

The scene in New York the press conference when he is asked is"Is Priscilla with you?" He replies "No shes not" There is a slight hint of discomfort. He knew they were divorcing and it was still under raps. he had to be dreading the news coming out, especially the "oher man part" His marriage had failed and no one likes failure. I think EOT shows he was uncomfortable because of knowing this news would hit soon probably hoping it would not get out during the filming with cameras following him everywhere.
As far as pale I thought it had to do with the lighting they used being to strong. His suit at times looks green and was actually blue, so I think the lighting had a lot to do with it. He looks fit and tan in New York.

[NEA]

I'm sure in part, that the lighting does play a part in this. Some of the backstage shots that you see with EP wearing the 'Burning Love' Jumpsuit he looks quite tanned and refreshed.

For the most part, EP is somewhat pale compared to his appearance in "T.T.W.I.I." in 1970, and he looks somewhat more 'weighty' in his face. But, I think he's in fine figure when it comes to his waistline.

Remember, in May of 1972 I think Elvis embarked on a wee vacation to Hawaii so MGM were able to catch 'the man with the tan' on camera at the MSG Press Conference the following month.

To me, Elvis looked in top physical form when he performed at 'The Garden', it's just that MGM only captured a small segment of him looking this good compared to his April 'On Tour' appearance. So, naturally, you've got an appearance that is somewhat in-between compared to "T.T.W.I.I." and the MSG Shows.

Nevertheless, it still doesn't detract from the fact Elvis was entering a new phase of his personal life and had a number of things to cope with-Divorce was looming but before that a new 'love' was to enter his life. By the way, how do we all think Elvis looked during his August/September '72 Vegas engagement compared to his appearance during "Elvis On Tour"?

NEA.

[orwell1976]

In Vegas his face didn't look so "puffy" anymore (it hasn't in june, too). He wasn't in the top form he had been in while shooting TTWII, but to me he looked good.

:)

[cutiepie]

Hi there!

Please excuse my confusion...but is the EOT the same as the CBS special, which was recorded, like, just before Elvis died? Is EOT really difficult to watch? I might get it, but I'm not sure....please give me any warnings about the more difficult parts!

Thanks!

[cutiepie]

Hi again!

Sorry for clogging up this thread...but was EOT made before, or after--Aloha??If that's true, I am missing a huge chunk of Elvis in my collection!

Thank you!!!!:blush:

[Lonniebealestreet]

cutiepie, Elvis On Tour was filmed in April of 1972, nine months before the Aloha special.

Elvis In Concert is the CBS special, filmed during Elvis' last tour in June of '77.

Hope that helps.

[elvis himselvis]

i don't think Elvis was overweight is EOT,but just tired off all and his face was just a little bit strange because he was tired.
i prefer to see elvis like this than that he was in the CBS tv special.