Product Details

• Actors: Elvis Presley, Trude Forsher, June Juanico, Hal Kanter, George Klein
• Directors: Frank Martin
• Writers: David Naylor, Stuart A. Goldman
• Producers: Frank Martin, David Naylor, Jerry Schilling, Stuart A. Goldman
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Bmg Special Product
• VHS Release Date: November 23, 1993
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302907322
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #457,846 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 1987 documentary is distinguished by both its smart narrative premise and wonderful performance footage of Elvis Presley at the dawn of his remarkable career. With the King's melodramatic life already a familiar subject for film and print biographies, producer-directors Alan and Susan Raymond instead shaped this hour-long profile around the year that saw the charismatic Memphis singer's eruption as a pop sensation. By taking that selective path, and focusing tightly on Presley's crucial transition to a major record deal, national media exposure, and the first decisive steps in his subsequent movie career, Elvis '56 achieves a unique cohesion while legitimately celebrating a remarkable period of growth.

With the Band's Levon Helm narrating in his salty Arkansas drawl, the story effectively conveys Elvis's Southern perspective, while evocative use of Alfred Wertheimer's celebrated black-and-white still portraits sustains a visual style carrying over to the program's real high points: early stage and television appearances by Presley and his original trio, later augmented into a quartet. Among the highlights are historic slots on Milton Berle's and Steve Allen's variety shows: we see the joyous physicality that made the Berle performance a topic of outrage (and, of course, a swoon-worthy moment for female fans), as well as Allen's glib solution to censors' worries, forcing a static, tail-coated Presley to sing "Hound Dog" to a basset hound. --Sam Sutherland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply the best..., July 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Elvis '56 - In the Beginning [VHS] (VHS Tape)

As an American raised in the second half of the 20th Century, I have been steeped in the legend of Elvis throughout my entire life. Prior to seeing "Elvis '56" on TV, I had seen footage of his early performances that I thought demonstrated a degree of brilliance. That being said, I must state, emphatically, that this brilliant film, which encapsulates his meteoric rise to fame, has made me a fan forever of this remarkable American artist. We can all go on to note how, after 1956, Elvis became a "boy in a bubble" and the sad effect that had on his personality and music. But this film is the unadulturated 100% pure Elvis Presley of which the legend is made. It's not just the music - which is incredible - but this fascinating young man himself, that makes this video so rewarding. And, finally, I have seldom seen a film - documentary or fiction - that so vividly rekindles the look and feel of an era. If you lived through 1956, this will take you back. If you didn't, watch this and you'll know what it was like.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you can see only one Elvis video, this is the one., June 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Elvis '56 - In the Beginning [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Wonderfully narrated by Levon Helm of the Band, this remarkable film documents the one year that made the difference in the life and career of Elvis--and in the culture of the U.S.A. and the world. Robust with period-evoking footage of the King's concerts and TV appearances, with numerous still photos taken offstage, on trains, etc., the film chronicles our man's transition from regional fringe player to breakout superstar the likes of which the world had never known. It's a gem from start to finish. It makes a fine companion piece to Peter Guralnick's biography, Last Train to Memphis.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elvis Presley's Early Years - A Terrific Video, February 16, 2005

By 

G. Reid (Roseland, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Elvis 56 [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video of Presley's early career is wonderful. It may be the best of all the Presley videos. Don't miss it. You will be there for the early music and the meteoric rise of this rock n roll legend. The quality of the reproduction is excellent for the time period 1956. On this video you will see Elvis Presley at his best before he was spoiled by all the fame and money that came later in his life.