Elvis (1990 TV series)

Elvis
File:MSG-Elvis.jpg Michael St. Gerard
Genre	Biography Drama Music
Created by	Rick Husky Priscilla Presley
Starring	Michael St. Gerard Millie Perkins Billy Green Bush Jesse Dabson Blake Gibbons Kelli Williams Jordan Williams
Opening theme	All Shook Up performed by Ronnie McDowell
Country of origin	United States
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	10 (original run) 13 (future TV airings)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Rick Husky James D. Parriott Priscilla Presley
Producer(s)	Albert J. Salzer Jerry Schilling Gary Markowitz
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	James D. Parriott Productions Navarone Productions Rick Husky Productions New World Television
Release
Original network	ABC
Original release	Feb. 6, 1990 – May 19, 1990
External links
[{{#property:P856}} Website]

Elvis (also known as Elvis – Good Rockin' Tonight) is an American TV series about the early life of Elvis Presley. The show aired ten episodes on ABC in 1990 before its cancellation due to low ratings. These ten episodes, along with three unaired episodes, were edited into a four-hour mini-series titled Elvis: The Early Years. The series starred Michael St. Gerard as Presley, Jesse Dabson, Blake Gibbons, Millie Perkins, and Billy "Green" Bush. Elvis voice-impersonator Ronnie McDowell provided the singing voice for St. Gerard on the series.

Plot

Elvis: Good Rockin' Tonight was a series offering a faithful dramatic re-creation of Elvis' time just before becoming a major star. Focusing on Elvis in 1954-55 as he was beginning his recording career at Sun Records. It was the first time the true story of a rock star been dramatized in a weekly series; and never before had the birth of rock ’n’ roll been treated with such respect and authenticity.

Production

Michael St. Gerard had played Presley twice before, in the 1989 films Great Balls of Fire! and Heart of Dixie; and once again after this series, in a 1993 episode of Quantum Leap.

Millie Perkins starred as the real Elvis's love interest in the 1961 film, Wild in the Country, here she plays his mother.

Matt Dillon and Scott Valentine were the first two choices for the role of Elvis.

Michael St. Gerard's audition was a line read, and him lip syncing to "Baby, Let's Play House". He was flown to Memphis the next day to start filming. He refused to wear blue contacts for the role.

The brown-eyed Michael St. Gerard refused to use blue colored contact lenses for his role as Elvis.

Cast

• Michael St. Gerard as Elvis Presley
• Millie Perkins as Gladys Presley
• Billy Green Bush as Vernon Presley
• Jesse Dabson as Scotty Moore
• Blake Gibbons as Bill Black
• Kelli Williams as Mattie Walker
• Jordan Williams as Sam Phillips

Episodes

Episode	Title	Plot	Air Date
1	Money, Honey	Elvis records his first demo, My Happiness. His father injures his back, and forces Elvis to support the family. A year later, Sam Phillips calls to have Elvis come back into Sun Records, and work with some musicians, Scotty Moore and Bill Black.	1990-02-06
2	The Storm	Elvis tries out a few songs at Sun Records, which leads to the recording of his first record, That’s All Right, Mama. The record is played on the air, and Elvis realizes his life is about to change.	1990-02-11
3	The Locket	Elvis, Scotty, and Bill play their first gig. Elvis opens with a ballad, and then tears into Good Rockin’ Tonight, shaking his hips, driving the crowd wild. Elvis' girlfriend, fearing all the attention he is getting, gives him a locket.	1990-02-18
4	Bel Air Breakdown	Elvis, Scotty and Bill go out on the road for their first tour. On the way, they encounter many troubles as they tour the country as the first rock 'n' roll group.	1990-03-04
5	Hole in the Pocket	Elvis gets his first royalty check and spends it on a pink Cadillac.	1990-03-11
6	Roots	Elvis, Scotty, and Bill get a show in Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis meets up with old friends, and, after his show at the local all-white high school, sits in at an all-black blues club.	1990-03-18
7	Grand Ole Opry/Sun Sessions	Elvis and the boys get the offer to perform at the Grand Ole Opry where, after their heads swell a bit, they go over like a lead balloon. They go back to Memphis with their tails between their legs, and struggle to record their next record.	1990-05-05
8	Four Mules	Elvis, Scotty and Bill book themselves at the Louisiana Hayride, the major radio show that gave Elvis his start. The subplot revolves around all of the characters being as stubborn as mules, the fourth "mule" being Sam Phillips.	Unaired
9	Old Man	Scotty struggles as Elvis’ manager and guitar player, and, by the end of the episode, Bob Neal has become their manager, and Scotty can focus on the music.	Unaired
10	Moody's Blues	Elvis, (as a high school student), learns the blues from a Beale St. street musician.	Unaired
11	Bodyguards	Fans start reacting to Elvis, and it becomes more than he can handle.	1990-05-12
12	Let It Burn	Elvis is on the road with his band. He cheats on his girlfriend, and she catches him at it.	1990-95-19