Why was MSG not filmed?

[Getlo]

So, just four months to go until December 7th ... and still no sign of all this supposedly pro footage coming out. What a surprise ... not!

I notice those people shouting and bleating about this amazing (northern) summer release of footage (... something that was going to put all us doubters in our place! ...) have been silent these past few months.

Still, I'm prepared to be surprised. If it's out there, I say bring this pro stuff ON!

Well, here we are again.

December 7th has come and gone, and whaddaya know?

Still no pro footage released!

Again, where are all the people who raved on about the "huge release" coming in the northern summer? They can't have been referring to the Way It Is boxed set.

As if any further proof were needed, most/all of the references on specialist websites and lists mentioning professional footage being in "private hands" are complete BS, and it is time this sort of myth-making was stopped altogether.

The only pro footage is from Way It Is, On Tour, Aloha and In Concert, along with a few songs from Japanese TV from Hawaii 1972 and a brief snippet from KNBC from Las Vegas in August 1972.

All this talk of MSG being pro filmed ... rubbish!

[Lisarose]

It's just not fair. I would love to see more - just have to settle for the hand-held smuggled in & out of concert footage.

[KPM]

Well Getlo and I have disagreed about what is "pro footage" in the past. If it is pro shot footage- but not an official sanctioned by Parker-in my view it is still pro footage.
There is some 16MM film which was shot by the professional avante garde filmaker Jonas Mekas-but it was not sanctioned by Parker-yet it is crystal clear footage-that is all that matters to me.
I have posted several times where the respected Elvis researcher and author Joe Tunzi is asked about this alleged pro footage from MSG and here is the question and answer:

Q-We know that some professional footage was done at the opening show of Madison Square Garden on June 9th 1972. Some portions of this footage has been used on different projects but always heavily edited and without Elvis’ vocal. Three years ago Dateline NBC used a short sequence for the first time with the original sound of Elvis performing “ Polk Salad Annie “. According to the different footages partly used on different projects and/or on T.V., they have filmed at least the following: the crowd before the show starts, The Sweet Inspirations, Elvis entering the stage, That’s All Right, Proud Mary, You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling and Polk Salad Annie. Do you know if the show was filmed from beginning to end with matching sound ? If not, do you know how much was actually filmed and who possibly owns that footage ?

JOE: .It sounds like you have been doing your homework. This is exactly correct. I think there may be around 30 or 40 minutes of the show with matching sound. The sound quality is not the greatest but is passable. I really can’t comment on who owns it.........

IMO someone needs to interview Joe again and ask him if he can be more enlightening on this subject.
Its obvious by the question that others feel this footage exists-so it seems a debateable subject. But IMO Getlo and I agree on the fact that if it is pro shot footage-it was not for any authorized project.