Priscilla and Lisa Marie and the Image

[Albert]

The decision Vernon made to hand over the estate to Priscilla was a good decision...what if he had handed it over to tom parker....

It was a good business decision and I don't believe that many things would have changed. Perhaps the Graceland area would have looked even better.

By the way, the fact that Priscilla converted Graceland as it was when Elvis died, to the Graceland the way she left it in the early 70s. It's just as fake as her lips.

TAke a look at these pictures. Left is the way Priscilla re-decorated it to show the world 'how Elvis lived and how Graceland looked the day Elvis died', while right it how it really looked in 1977:


Check out this site for even more: http://www.zyworld.com/collins3076/G...n_and_now..htm

It's a proof that she likes to change history to make things look better for her.

[KPM]

In the re-decorated picture is that the same extra long couch and chairs that Elvis had custom made in the early 60s, it looks familiar? Elvis did like to redecorate every few years, but what he saw as classy often was not. At times though he would let people advise him, ohter times he would go to buy and buy all the Jungle Room stuff in half an hour-it reminded him of Hawaii.
Priscilla was in Elvis's life, in one form or another for 17 years, he told her as they left the divorce court "Always and Forever" As much as it is fun to hate and blame her for a lot of things, I'm not sure(just a guess) that Elvis would see it that way. No matter what shes done in job as executer, Lisa and her kids(Elvis's grandkids)are set for life. Lisa must trust wht has been going on or she would have taken over when she could have. I can not see how that would displease Elvis. Sure anyone could have ran the estate, but when you have a personal association and interest in it more incentive is there. Whether she diserves huge credit or a passing nod -she was a woman who Elvis stated to many he loved. Whether he meant it is something no one can ever know but him and hes gone.

[carolynlm]

If I remember correctly, those photos of the living area were taken during Linda Thompsons era, weren't they? Do we have any photographic proof that this is how it was exactly the day Elvis passed away? Don't get me wrong here, I am very indifferent toward Priscilla and her family, I don't know them personally. The thing that makes me think though, is that if the general public, was faced with walking through the front door to Graceland and was exposed to the 'redness' and the 'bordello' look of the living room, what would their thoughts have been? Was Priscilla, in her own way, trying to protect Elvis from further scrutiny by the press? Whether this was the right thing to do is now debated over and over.....but how do we know? we don't...thats the main thing. Did the family stay there very often between 77 and 82, and weren't happy with the decorations? We don't know.....I really think that this 'hatred' and I mean absolute hatred, that some fans have toward Priscilla is unfair.....Does she call herself Elvis' widow, or is this something that the press have labelled her? She has retained the name Presley, yes, and I can understand that...she has a daughter to the man, she hasn't re-married.....I have been in exactly the same situation.....my own daughter was horrified after I divorced her father and wanted to go back to my maiden name.....she couldn't undertand it....I eventually did go back to my maiden name, but even now, I don't think my daughter is very happy with my decision. I just think we need to have a bit more tolerance in this world of ours, there are terrible things going on, some of them we can avoid, some we can't...but this constant barrage of abuse targeted at Priscilla is so unnecessary.

[0349054]

Yes it was like that in 77'. One of the security guards also took pictures after Elvis passed, I don't know if the one that was posted is from Linda Thompson's friend or from the security guy, but it doesen't really matter as the decor remained the same.

Vernon moved back into Graceland after Elvis died, and Minnie Mae as well as Delta lived there untill they both died.

Delta, who never was exactly a cordial woman, threw a huge fit one day when Priscilla and Jack Soden were in the dining room talking about opening Graceland to the public. At times she also disrupted tours, shouting at fans to get out etc...
( She was still living there, and it was her home - so that has to be remembered for her feelings towards the matter. )

Priscilla probabaly changed it so it would look better. She redecorated for the public opening, it remained the same untill she decided to redecorate the house. I think it probabaly does look better now, but for me, it's not my home it was Elvis' and if it was ***** house Red as Priscilla called it when he died - then I say leave it. Besides people are touring Elvis' house, they cant expect it to be prim, proper and classically refined - can they?

Personally, I would have loved to be able to see the house the way Elvis left it. Closest i'll get is, This is Elvis. The filming took place before Priscilla changed it, also some footage of Elvis' bedroom upstairs. For anyone who hasnt checked it out then do! Very interesting to see the way the house has changed since it opened.

Lets not forget, Gladys and Vernons room downstairs! What was Dodger's room, thats been completely redecorated. As have the flats that used to be off the Jungle Room. Cilla was quite busy!

A few people working round there have said that Lisa's room contains only cardboard boxes now - basically most of the upsairs is used for storage. Elvis' office has been moved downstairs practically, as has his wardrobe. Very little remains in his bedroom. Interestingly, there is a CCTV in his bedroom, not the Webcam from the window, an actual CCTV. - Just thought if anyone doesent know they may be interested.

[Cherokee]

If I remember correctly, those photos of the living area were taken during Linda Thompsons era, weren't they? Do we have any photographic proof that this is how it was exactly the day Elvis passed away? Don't get me wrong here, I am very indifferent toward Priscilla and her family, I don't know them personally. The thing that makes me think though, is that if the general public, was faced with walking through the front door to Graceland and was exposed to the 'redness' and the 'bordello' look of the living room, what would their thoughts have been? Was Priscilla, in her own way, trying to protect Elvis from further scrutiny by the press? Whether this was the right thing to do is now debated over and over.....but how do we know? we don't...thats the main thing. Did the family stay there very often between 77 and 82, and weren't happy with the decorations? We don't know.....I really think that this 'hatred' and I mean absolute hatred, that some fans have toward Priscilla is unfair.....Does she call herself Elvis' widow, or is this something that the press have labelled her? She has retained the name Presley, yes, and I can understand that...she has a daughter to the man, she hasn't re-married.....I have been in exactly the same situation.....my own daughter was horrified after I divorced her father and wanted to go back to my maiden name.....she couldn't undertand it....I eventually did go back to my maiden name, but even now, I don't think my daughter is very happy with my decision. I just think we need to have a bit more tolerance in this world of ours, there are terrible things going on, some of them we can avoid, some we can't...but this constant barrage of abuse targeted at Priscilla is so unnecessary.

I'm sure there are some fans out there who genuinely hate Priscilla, maybe even from the time she was "chosen" by "their" Elvis as his bride

My personal feelings do not spring from hate, simply from facts. Everybody who objectively takes in her actions, especially those the longer since his passing, will have to at least raise their eyebrows in wonder.
Priscilla did not keep the Presley name after the divorce. She adamantly wanted to make a statement for herself by returning to her maiden name, as most things she does seem to be in her and Lisa's interest more, than for the actual accurate memory of Elvis.
Distorting facts either way, and she has distorted facts both for the better and the worse, is not going to help people's opinion about the sincerity of her actions.
She's often made their relationship look both more rosy than it ever was, and worse than it really was. She has certainly made her own behavior look less bad than it really was and even as recently as in Elvis by the "Presleys" she continued to harp on negative things about Elvis.

In my opinion any form of criticism she receives for actions she has/is tak(en)ing regarding the distortion of Elvis facts to her own (image) benefit, is fair, just as it is fair to criticize all the other "hangers on" who now suddenly describe themselves as having been "Elvis' best friend". The closer you stay to the truth, the smaller the chances that people will call you on your words and actions.

[joanne]

It should have been left as it was when he died but once again Priscilla took over. It was probably done out of spite because Linda had redecorated it after she left.
As for fans maybe not being pleased with the red decor I have never heard so much rubbish they would of been happy that it had been left exactly as it was when Elvis died.
Whether it was classy or not it was his taste and his house and it should have been respected.
Priscilla had to return it back to the time when she lived there because she still thinks of it as her house and there she is in the dvd sat at the head of the table.
As for feeling hatred towards her don`t you think we`re entitled and here are a few reasons-

STILL USING THE PRESLEY NAME TO FURTHER HERSELF AND HER CAREER WHILE STILL MOANING THAT SHE WANTS TO BE HER OWN PERSON.

MAKING SURE SHE APPEARS IN EVERY DVD AND TRIES TO EXCLUDE HIS EX`S.

PUTTING PICTURES OF HERSELF ALL OVER GRACELAND (WEDDING PICTURE ON WALL, PICTURES WITH HER AND LISA IN THE LIVING ROOM, A VERY LARGE PICTURE OF HERSELF AND LISA IN THE DINING ROOM ON THE WALL AND ALSO HOME MOVIES PLAYING OF HER WHEN YOU WALK AROUND GRACELAND.
WHAT EX-HUSBAND KEEPS PICTURES OF HIS EX-WIFE ON DISPLAY? ACCORDING TO GINGER THEY WEREN`T THERE WHEN SHE LIVED THERE.

IF THAT ISN`T BAD ENOUGH WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO HER ON THE AUDIO TAPE WHEN WE WALK AROUND GRACELAND.

REDECORATING GRACELAND TO HOW IT LOOKED WHEN SHE LIVED THERE.

PORTRAYING ELVIS AS A DEMON IN THE ELVIS AND ME DVD WHILE SHE IS PORTRAYED AS AN ANGEL.

STILL MILKING IT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS WITH HER BOOK, PERFUMES, JEWELLERY AND MOST RECENTLY WITH ELVIS BY THE PRESLEYS AS SHE PUT THE KNIFE IN ONCE AGAIN WITH A ONE-SIDED ACCOUNT OF HER LIFE WITH ELVIS OMITTED ANY OF HER AFFAIRS AND ANY OF HER OWN FLAWS.

I think thats enough to be going on with.
Oh and by the way the press haven`t labelled her Elvis`s widow shes done that herself because it suits her financially. Thats why she won`t remarry because the name is her fortune and not for the stupid reason thats been stated because she doesn`t want to upset her daughter if she goes back to her maiden name honestly some of you need to wake up and smell the coffee you`re living in cuckoo land. You should of been in Elvis By The Presleys because she needed all the help she could get but on second thoughts none of you are Presleys but then again neither were they.

[KPM]

I think everyone envolved with Elvis's life, not just Priscilla, tries to overplay their relationship with him, since he is passed on. He can not answer yes or no to anybodys claims of what he did or how he would want things.

I'm now curious, since so many think Priscilla is wrong for her involvement should Lisa be stepping in and trying to run things(at least on the Graceland end of the estate since now 85% of the licensing rights are now owned by the marketing company)?And If not Lisa or Priscilla who does everyone think could run this operation better?

I have another question since the estate was near banktuptcy at the time of Vernons death, if she had not stepped in and made the decision to open Graceland(which I would think only someone close could have sold the idea to Lisa) would we hate her more if it had just been sold. This is not too far fetched because until the double dealing of the Col. was exposed in 82 the money to the estate was split 50/50 right off the top and little income was flowing in. that mess getting untangled brought the profits back to Elvis's estate (including Gracelands gate fees, which theoretically would have to be split dollar for dollar with Parker under his agreement with Vernon made the day after Elvis died)I mean I would have hated to see it end up that way.

[0349054]

Lisa is not that interested it would seem. That is why the handover from executor to Lisa was pushed back.

Scatter, as Jack Soden said could have opened Graceland and it would have been a success.

Priscilla didn't need to sell any idea to Lisa, as Lisa had no say over the running of the estate untill she inherited it, she wasnt old enough in 82' when Graceland opened. Priscilla didnt instigate the tangle with the Colonel as far as I know, though the estate did reap the awards. She always spoke highly of him and even to the best of my knowledge attended his funeral.

Vernon messed up with his Parker deal during Elvis' funeral, and with going against Elvis' wishes by handing over some portion of power to Priscilla before he died. If Vernon died before Lisa was of age the bank and his accountant was to have control until Lisa was old enough. Thats just my opinion. But Scatter could have made it successful!

It's Graceland after all! Home and burial place of E-L-V-I-S!

[KPM]

Maybe I worded it wrong, so I'll restate it. No you're right Lisa was about 14 in 82, not old enough to need legal authority- but old enough to know that Graceland was hers after Vernon died, so what I was talking about was moral authority. If Graceland was to be opened, Lisa had to give a moral ok, otherwise even if Scatter had opened it (without her at least being filled in on the reasons) there could have been a day of reckoning for whomever. It was Lisas home also- if she was not on board she might have hated whoever did it and possibly taken her own legal actions at when she was of legal age. We will never know because obviously she must have had discussions with her mom about why it had to be done, it could not have been done in secret and then sprung on her.
As we has been dicussed read a dozen books get a dozen differing accounts. I have read that Priscilla had never liked the Col. and when the estate was being transfered to Priscilla as executor a judge who was reviewing the agreements between COl, Elvis and later Vernon asked for further information on them. Then with that opening, Priscilla and the bank official involved with the estate, began investigating and reviewing and the truth was brought to light. A settlement was finally reached to get him out. He even tried to use the fact that he was not of US citizenship and no longer a Dutch citizen to slow down the probe.
So you are right she did not instigate the look into the tangle, but she had a hand in making sure he was found out. Probably so she could do as she pleased without any interference, as she pretty well has.

[0349054]

This is a quote from an Interview with Loanne Parker:

"It was strained during the period of time when the estate was
forced by the state of Tennessee to proceed, because the people who
were the estate at that time were not allowed to talk with the
Colonel and everything had to be negotiated through attorneys. But
once that was over at the settlement, when they were signing the
papers, Priscilla looked at Colonel, smiled and said, "I wish you
were my manager.' "

She also was seen crying during his funeral, Cilla and Soden wanted to continue doing business with the Colonel even after Lisa's guardian ad litem came to the conclusion that Parker defrauded Elvis. They were out of their element when they opened Graceland and wanted Parker's showbiz experience and con to advise them and help them run the deal. Even though the judge ruled against Parker and agreed with the Guardian's findings.The Board of Advisors from the bank who were the other executors of the estate to make things work businesswise disagreed.

Heres a quote from a book;

On August 16th 1981, the fourth anniversary of Elvis's death, headlines
in newspapers across the country questioned the integrity of Colonel
Parker's management. One headline read, "Former Manager of Presley Denies
Cheating Entertainer." Another went, "Did Colonel Parker Take The King For A
Ride?"
The Colonel lashed back at the press. He issued a statement to the
Memphis Commercial Appeal stating that Elvis and Vernon were always pleased
with his services and that both had wanted to continue their relationship
with him indefinitely. Parker also claimed that detailed explanations were
always given to Elvis before any contract was entered into on his behalf.
And, for the first time, Parker publicly criticized Elvis. He referred to
him as 'a moody and headstrong client with little motivation. Managing Elvis
was not an easy job.'


Then.....

After all the revelations and lawsuits, Priscilla continues to defend Parker, and is quick to praise him in the media. When a company released a book about Graceland, produced with the cooperation of EPE that turned out to contain a tirade by the author about the Colonel, Priscilla tried unsuccessfully to have the publisher pull all copies of the book from stores. She even attended the Colonel's 85th birthday party. The event was held at the Las Vegas Hilton, and was hosted by the Colonel's old friend, Baron Hilton. It is possible that one of the provisions of the lawsuit settlement compels Priscilla to support the Colonel's publicly, or maybe she is trying to preserve the myth that Elvis and Parker were the greatest
artist/manager team in the history of show business.

[KPM]

As many have pointed out she has many faces, being that she is getting older perhaps with the COls death it reminded her of her own mortality. Who knows?Maybe as with many people(myself included) when someone dies I try to remember whatever good there was and the good times. I'm sure the Col. and his carny like ways brought a laugh to them all every now and then.

[THENATUREBOY]

I do not like Priscilla that much, some of the things she does is very questionable at times, and I do agree with most of the things that have you all have said about her, but I do admit that she has done a good job with Graceland and all that after Elvis died. I think she did love Elvis but most of the things she does is motivated by money, and not necessarily by what is best for his image.

[joanne]

She is now using his name to promote the Priscilla Presley Collection which will include fine Egyptian bed linen.