The first-ever serious film festival consideration of the King’s cinematic legacy is set for September.


Among those expected in the mountain towns of Colorado early this fall are Nancy Sinatra, Ann-Margaret and Priscilla Presley. There will also be a taped video appearance by Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie.

It’s all part of, per a report in the Leadville Chronicle, “Elvis Presley: An American Film Icon,” a special tribute to be presented at Colorado’s Independence Film Fest (September 3rd – 7th). Over the course of 13 years, the King made a numerically symmetrical 31 films.

Heady stuff for an event that is only in its second year, under the cheeky heading of “The Highest Film Festival in the World” (Rotterdam might have a bone to pick with that appellation). Host cities are the Arkansas River Valley towns of Leadville, Buena Vista and Salida, with Pueblo and Grand Junction welcoming encore presentations during subsequent September weekends.

If you ask the typical moviegoer today about Elvis’ film legacy, you’re likely to get a vague response about the generally poor quality of many of his musical efforts, especially as the 1960’s progressed. Strangely, though he could have insisted on better scripts, these never came to pass and much later on, the King (or more precisely his manager, Colonel Tom Parker) could not be convinced by Barbra Streisand to co-star with her in A Star is Born.

source: http://www.filmstew.com/showArticle....ontentID=17439