Top 10 Things Elvis (2022) Got Factually Right & Wrong
Top 10 Things Elvis 2022 Got Factually Right and Wrong
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Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the Top 10 Things Elvis 2022 Got Factually Right and Wrong. For this list, we’ll be looking at plot points from this 2022 biopic that were faithful to the King of Rock and Roll and creative liberties that director Baz Luhrmann took. This entails a few spoilers. What are your thoughts on Elvis, both the film and the music legend himself? Let us know in the comments.
#10: Colonel Tom Parker Met Elvis During His Carny Days Wrong
The film introduces Thomas Parker as a carny who stumbles upon his big break when he first hears Elvis. Although it’s true that Parker initially assumed that Elvis was Black, the dawn of their professional relationship has otherwise been exaggerated. In the movie, Parker guides Elvis through a hall of mirrors to a Ferris wheel. It’s here that Parker becomes Elvis’ manager, sending them on an unstable carnival ride. In reality, Parker had already upgraded from carny to talent management, promoting artists like Tommy Sands, Eddy Arnold, and Hank Snow. While Elvis did open for Snow, the whole Ferris wheel conversation with Parker never happened. Parker also wasn’t present at the show depicted in the film where Elvis overcomes his performance jitters with some jiggling.
#9: Elvis Performed “Hound Dog” to a Hound Right
Jacob Elordi as Elvis in Priscilla (2023) VS Austin Butler as Elvis (2022)
With Elvis gyrating proving too risque for the clean-cut crowd, there was an attempt to introduce the “New Elvis.” The King unleashed a new persona on NBC’s “The Steve Allen Show” where he traded his usual attire for black tails and a bowtie. Elvis also sang “Hound Dog” to an actual basset hound dressed up like the Monopoly Guy. Although this is all depicted in the film, it’s suggested that Parker invented the “New Elvis” to keep the authorities off his back. It was really Steve Allen who insisted on the funny costume, the basset hound, and the “New Elvis,” as the TV host wasn’t a fan of rock and roll. While Allen’s role is downplayed here, Elvis indeed wasn’t a fan of the idea.
#8: Elvis’ Childhood Lightning Bolt Accessory Wrong
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Luhrmann has said that his interpretation of Elvis isn’t so much a biopic as it is “a superhero film.” The film thus draws inspiration from Elvis’ favorite superhero, Captain Marvel Jr. No, we’re not talking about a Marvel Comics character. We mean DC’s Freddy Freeman, who’s better known nowadays for his association with the Shazam Family. Comic names can get confusing, but we digress. In the movie, Elvis is such a Captain Marvel Jr. fan that he hangs a lightning bolt over his chest. Although Elvis didn’t have an accessory like this as a child, he would pay tribute to his favorite hero through his haircut and half-capes. DC returned the favor in the comics where Captain Marvel Jr. has professed his admiration for Elvis.
#7: Young Elvis Went to Gospel Church Revival Meetings Right
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Rock is rooted in African-American music. With Elvis being such an integral figure in popularizing rock, it’s not surprising that he grew up surrounded by the sound in a Black community. Elvis spent the first 12 years of his life in Tupelo, Mississippi. At one point, his struggling family moved to a mostly Black neighborhood where gospel church music helped plant the seeds for the performer within. Elvis remained respectful toward the African-American community even after moving, although some would accuse Elvis of cultural appropriation. Others say that Elvis’ music brought attention to a marginalized group. It’s also been said that Elvis’ music wasn’t black, white, pop, or country, but something “different.” In any case, Elvis knew he owed a debt to Black musicians.
#6: Priscilla’s Age When She Met Elvis Wrong
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As depicted in the film, Parker saw an opportunity when Elvis was drafted by the U.S. Army, believing it would settle his rebellious attitude. Parker even had the media present when Elvis got his army haircut. And yes, Elvis met his future wife Priscilla Beaulieu while serving overseas in Germany. In the film, though, the two are made out to be roughly around the same age. In real life, Elvis was in his 20s while Priscilla was 14 when they met. Despite an age difference of almost 10 years, the two spent a lot of time together until Elvis returned home. Priscilla’s parents allowed her to visit Elvis when she was around 17 and Priscilla moved to Memphis by the time she turned 18.
#5: Parker Was an Illegal Alien Who Changed His Name Right
For much of the film, Colonel Tom Parker is portrayed as an enigma. It’s eventually revealed that he’s a Dutch immigrant who came to the U.S. illegally, explaining why he doesn’t want Elvis doing a world tour. Indeed, Elvis’ manager was born Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk. Upon arriving in the States, he enlisted in the army as Tom Parker, later being discharged. Parker gave himself the colonel rank while working on Jimmie Davis'’ governor campaign. When Elvis wanted to take his act to Japan, Australia, and beyond, Parker reportedly told him, “If you go, I am not going to go with you.” While it’s hard to say if the authorities ever blackmailed Parker, his true nature didn’t become public knowledge until after Elvis’ death.
#4: How Elvis’ 1968 Comeback Special Went Down Wrong
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1968 was a crucial year for Elvis with his televised comeback special marking his first live performance in seven years. Although the film gets certain details about the special right, much of this chapter is tweaked for dramatic effect. While Elvis grew more enthusiastic about the project after talking to producer Bob Finkel, they didn’t meet at the Hollywood Sign. Parker was resolute about having at least one Christmas song in the special, but there wasn’t an entire holiday set built that Elvis brushed off at the last second. Most notably, Robert F. Kennedy wasn’t shot during the special’s taping. However, Elvis was inspired by the assassinations of Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., both of which occurred earlier that year.
#3: Parker Took Much of Elvis’ Income Right
Some say that Elvis might not have become a superstar without Parker. Others say that Parker held Elvis back, resulting in his star fading far too soon. While the film seems split down the middle about Parker, Luhrmann makes it no secret that Elvis’ manager cheated him out of millions. It was customary for Parker to receive 50% of Elvis’ earnings, although Parker argued that it was Elvis taking half of what he earned. Elvis was unable to end his working relationship with Parker due to financial reasons. Following Elvis’ death, Memphis attorney Blanchard Tual deemed that Parker’s 50% was more than what the average manager received and that in the past three years alone, Parker defrauded Presley’s estate between $7 million and $8 million.
#2: Elvis Fired Parker While Performing on Stage Wrong
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According to the film, the dynamic between Presley and Parker erupted during a live Vegas performance. Having learned that Parker’s been lying, Elvis fires him in front of the audience. There’s little backing this melodramatic blowout up, although there is some truth in there. In 1973, Elvis became enraged when The Hotel Hilton fired the maître d', Mario, whose wife was suffering from cancer. When Elvis didn’t get anywhere with Parker, he verbally attacked Barron Hilton from the stage. Parker and Elvis got into a shouting match after with the latter firing his manager. In response, Parker quit, but it’d take $2 million to buy him out of his contract. After two weeks, Elvis and his father saw no choice but to take Parker back. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Elvis Was In Talks For “A Star Is Born,” Right When Parker Insisted His Client Get Top Billing, Kris Kristofferson Got the Role “I Hate Elvis” Buttons, Right Parker Cleverly Capitalized on His Client’s Haters Hi, Dr. Nick, Right George C. Nichopoulos Overprescribed Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, & Other Patients Elvis’ Father Was Imprisoned, Right Vernon Presley Did Time for Altering a Check Elvis’ Mother Died During His Basic Training, Right He Received Emergency Leave After She Was Diagnosed with Hepatitis
#1: Parker Signed Elvis to Vegas Due to His Gambling Debts Maybe
Just when Elvis thinks he’s out, Parker pulls him back in by booking Vegas’ International Hotel. Parker arranges a deal for Elvis to annually perform a month-long engagement for the next five years. This is all true and, as the film depicts, Parker reportedly had the initial contract written on a stained tablecloth. What’s debatable is if this deal would erase Parker’s debts. In any case, it’s widely believed that Parker wanted Elvis to play in Vegas to prevent his gambling losses from ruining him. Even if he had a deal with the International Hotel, Parker apparently owed the Hilton $30 million when Elvis died. The debts seemingly caught up to him because by the time Parker died, his net worth was only $1 million.
