Elvis Presley | Hollywood Yesterday

Happy Heavenly Birthday to Elvis Presley!

January 8, 2022 By Joi

Elvis Presley, Jailhouse Rock

Elvis Aron Presley was Born on this date in 1935 and those of us who love fun movies and great music are awfully grateful that he was!

Elvis’s middle name was Aaron, named in honor of one of his dad’s friends, but his parents used the Aron spelling to match the middle name of Elvis’ stillborn identical-twin brother, Jesse Garon Presley. You’ll find it written Elvis Aaron Presley more times than not in the media, however, and I believe it’s even spelled that way on his tombstone.

Elvis is one of my very favorites, whether we’re talking singers, entertainers, or actors. He was one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Some people (the negative Nancies and Critical Carls crowd… I try to avoid these characters but every now and then they pop up) want to fixate on his films… criticizing them for not being Casablanca and poking fun at him for not being Humphrey Bogart.

HELLO!?!? MOST films don’t measure up to the greatness of classics like Casablanca and FEW actors could hold their own with the Humphrey Bogart or James Stewarts of the world.

But here’s the thing…. they don’t have to! Entertainment comes in all flavors and all varieties. If a genre or actor/actress doesn’t appeal to you, I have wonderful news – there are many others to choose from. Have at them!

But for goodness sakes, leave people alone who DO enjoy what you seem unable to.

Sorry for ranting – people who spread their negative views when others are trying to be positive and enjoy a particular person or film drive me berserk. I just don’t understand that type of thinking… “Uh oh, this person is saying they enjoy this star’s (Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, John Wayne…) films. I’d better tell them why they’re ridiculous to do that.”

Seriously? Get another hobby lmao!

Okay, Joi (that would be me), breathe. Drink your cranberry smoothie and move on.

Happy Heavenly birthday, Elvis, and thanks so very much for the wonderful music and movies… there’s nothing quite like kicking back and escaping with one of your films. Sometimes it’s EXACTLY what the day calls for!

Shelley Fabares and Elvis, Girl Happy

Elvis Presley: Behind the Scenes of Girl Happy

June 23, 2021 By Joi

Elvis on the Set of Girl Happy

Not quite sure what he was up to here, but I pretty much love this photo of Elvis Presley on the set of Girl Happy (1965)!

You can buy Girl Happy on DVD (Amazon link) or watch on Prime Video.

Shelley Fabares and Elvis, Girl Happy (Perfect Summer Movie!)

June 23, 2021 By Joi

Shelley Fabares and Elvis

There’s something so RIGHT about watching an Elvis movie… especially when it’s one as good as Girl Happy (1965). This movie is one of my favorites – it and Viva Las Vegas are perfection in my world and tie for my favorite Elvis film.

In fact, the leading ladies in these two (Shelley Fabares and Ann-Margret) tie for my favorite Elvis co-star as well. Each wonderful and beautiful actress is incredibly talented and brought out (in different ways) the best of Elvis.

You can find Girl Happy (Amazon link) on dvd or watch on Prime Video.

Happy Memorial Day!

May 31, 2021 By Joi

Ann-Margret and Elvis, Viva Las Vegas

When it was time to choose a picture of the day for Memorial Day, this one came to my mind immediately. To wonderful American stars – one born here, who also served his country (Elvis) and one who chose to call America home (Ann-Margret). I think it’s a great honor when people who could live almost anywhere in the world choose the United States of America to be their home. It honors and flatters every one of us and our beautiful country.

It also shows remarkable taste on their part, if I may be allowed to say so!

Happy Memorial Day to all those who have served, as well as to their families who often sacrifice more than anyone should ever be asked to sacrifice. Have a beautiful and peaceful day and please remember all of those who gave so much for the freedoms and life we tend to take for granted.

~ Joi (“Joy”)

Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley, Viva Las Vegas (One of My VERY Favorites!)

May 15, 2020 By Joi

Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley, Viva Las Vegas

Ann-Margret…. one of my favorite actresses and entertainers.

Elvis Presley….. one of my favorite actresses and singers.

Viva Las Vegas…. how could it NOT be one of my favorite movies. As in EVER?!

I am in love with this 1964 movie more than I could ever say. It epitomizes the Sixties in many ways and makes visiting the colorful and fun era unspeakably entertaining.

Viva Las Vegas with Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret (My Personal Favorite Elvis Movie!)

February 3, 2020 By Joi

Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley, Viva Las Vegas

Two of my favorite stars of all time are Ann-Margret and Elvis Presley – love everything about these two. So, it only stands to reason that I should be a fan of Viva Las Vegas (Amazon link), right?? It goes beyond being a fan of it, I’m in love with it! I could seriously watch it several times a month and still want to see more of it.

It’s fun, colorful, upbeat, doesn’t have stress, strife, and violence – it’s just a very enjoyable movie with two of the most charismatic and entertaining stars to ever grace the big (or small) screen. Elvis had a tremendous amount of talent and personality – a tremendous amount… BUT when Ann-Margret is on the scene, she causes him to kick it up a notch, making him even more entertaining and enjoyable.

She’s simply one of those amazing stars who makes everyone around her even better. She did it in every movie she was in. She worked her magic on so many people they may not have even realized they were completely under her spell.

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Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret

I love many of Elvis’ movies (they’re always just so much fun), but Viva Las Vegas (Amazon link) is my absolute favorite. The music is wonderful, the story is adorable, Elvis is outstanding, and I love the dancing. Most of all, however, make no mistake about it…. it’s the Ann-Margret factor.

The lady is one in a billion.

Picture of the Day: Elvis Promo Pic for Jailhouse Rock (Love it!)

January 21, 2020 By Joi

Elvis Presley, Jailhouse Rock

If you’re going to post a Tuesday picture of the day… might as well make it a great one!

This was a promotional picture for his wonderful 1957 movie Jailhouse Rock (Amazon link to the dvd).

I love this photo of Elvis – it has as much personality as he did. Well, almost.

Barbara Eden, Flaming Star (1960)

November 22, 2019 By Joi

Barbara Eden, Flaming Star (1960)

When I started out making the Old Hollywood blog Hollywood Yesterday, I intended to focus mainly on the Golden Age of Hollywood. However, along the way, I realized that limiting the fun was in NO way the best way to go about this whole celebration of “Hollywood Yesterday.” After all, I enjoy classic television and many movies from the 50s, 60s, and even 70s as much as I do the earlier films.

What’s more, some of my absolute favorite stars were shining in these years. One of my very favorites is pictures above in all of her glory and beauty – Barbara Eden!

Due to the fact that many Old Hollywood blogs and social media accounts DO focus primarily on Hollywood’s earliest days, many of these wonderful stars are often overlooked. Not going to happen here! Barbara Eden, Elvis, Ann-Margret, Elizabeth Montgomery and the rest of them deserve to be celebrated, appreciated, and introduced to new generations as much as anyone.

Sorry… I’ll go ahead and step down off of my soapbox now!

If you’ve never seen Flaming Star (Amazon Link), check it out. It was, literally, a movie caught between the 50s and 60s and it is very apparent, as it has great elements from each decade. Best of all, it has Elvis Presley and Barbara Eden – a beautiful pairing if there ever was one!

Barbara Eden and Elvis Presley, Flaming Star

Ann-Margret and Elvis: Viva Las Vegas

November 4, 2019 By Joi

Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, Viva Las Vegas (1964)

If you love both Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret like I do, then you’ll love this film! It’s just good, clean, old-fashioned fun like most of Elvis’ movies and like so many of the films made at this time.

They didn’t overthink things back then when making comedies – they just had as much fun as God’s law would allow!

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A Few Fast Facts About Viva Las Vegas:

Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret started dating before the movie began filming but split up soon after filming.
At just 1 hour and 25 minutes, this is the shortest film in Elvis’ filmography.
Due to her popularity at the time the film was made, some theaters billed Ann-Margret above Elvis.
Viva Las Vegas was the biggest grossing of all Elvis’ movies, eclipsing his previous all-time top hit, 1961’s Blue Hawaii, by about $450,000.
Of all of the actresses Elvis worked with onscreen, the popular consensus is that Ann-Margret held her own the best with the King. I feel that her charisma meshed perfectly with his and that she never even came close to being lost in his shadow.

Elvis Presley and Nancy Sinatra, Speedway

October 14, 2019 By Joi

Love this picture of Nancy Sinatra (what a beauty!) and Elvis Presley. This is a promotional picture from the 1968 film Speedway.

Fast (unintentional pun, but enjoyed nonetheless) Facts

Script originally offered to Sonny Bono and Cher. I’m really glad it ended up in Elvis and Nancy’s hands, I love them in this film!
Nancy Sinatra sings the song “Your Groovy Self” in Speedway. The song was (thankfully) included on the soundtrack LP, making it the only song by another artist to be released on an official Elvis Presley record.
This was the last of three Elvis Presley films in which his character is a race car driver.
This was Nancy Sinatra’s final film role – unfortunately.
The first racing film to give opening credits to actual NASCAR drivers.
This is the eighth film collaboration between Elvis Presley and director Norman Taurog.