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Elvis On Tour - MGM 1972

By: For Elvis Fans Only
Source: Elvis Australia
July 4, 2010 - 12:07:00 PM

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Elvis On Tour was a follow-up to the 1970 release Elvis: That's the Way It Is, another musical-documentary, this film followed Elvis as he embarked on a 15-city tour of the United States in April 1972. The working titles of the film were 'Sold Out' and then 'Standing Room Only', and a soundtrack album was planned with this title, but never released. Due to the release of the album Elvis: As Recorded at Madison Square Garden shortly before filming, which featured many of the songs set to be in the film, 'Elvis on Tour' was the only Presley film not accompanied by some form of official soundtrack release, either in the form of a full album or a single. Elvis on Tour also contains vintage footage of Elvis' 1956 'Ed Sullivan Show' appearances.

Preview: Elvis On Tour (08:09).

Also included are portions of a forty minute interview that Elvis gave about his life and career before filming began. Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, was unhappy with the inclusion of a scene which mocked Elvis' acting career by showing screen kisses taken from a number of his previous films. According to the producers, it was a tongue-in-cheek dig at the repetitiveness of these films by changing the background 'but the plot stays the same'. Among those working on this film were Martin Scorsese, who supervised montage sequences, and David Draper a former Mr. Universe. The film was directed by Pierre Adidge and Robert Abel.

Elvis on Tour won the 1972 Golden Globe Award for Best Documentary, making it the only Elvis film to win an award of any kind.

Songs Featured on the Film

All songs performed by Elvis Presley unless otherwise noted

Johnny B. Goode
Also Sprach Zarathustra/Opening Vamp - performed by The Joe Guercio Orchestra
See See Rider
Polk Salad Annie
Separate Ways
Always On My Mind
Proud Mary
Never Been To Spain
Burning Love
For The Good Times
Lighthouse
Lead Me, Guide Me
Bosom Of Abraham
Love Me Tender
I, John
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Funny How Time Slips Away
An American Trilogy
I Got A Woman/Amen
A Big Hunk O' Love
You Gave Me a Mountain
Sweet Sweet Spirit - performed by J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Can't Help Falling in Love
Closing Vamp - performed by The Joe Guercio Orchestra
Memories

Concerts Filmed for Elvis on Tour

The Coliseum, Hampton Roads, Virginia, April 9, 1972 Evening Show
The Coliseum, Richmond, Virginia, April 10, 1972
The Coliseum, Greensboro, North Carolina, April 14, 1972 Evening Show
Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas, April 18, 1972

On CD, DVD and Book

There was no soundtrack album released to accompany the movie. However more recently some rehearsals and a complete show have been released by BMG.

Also an album has been released with the fsamous working title, Standing Room Only and present the Las Vegas masters from February of 1972 and the masters and outtakes from the March 1972 sessions at RCA.

Buy Elvis On Tour DVD
Buy Elvis On Tour : Blu-ray : (Region Free)

Buy Elvis On Tour Hardcover Book
Buy Elvis The Documentaries Book

Buy Standing Room Only 2 CD Set (Released on Follow That Dream, Sony/BMG's Elvis collectors label)
Buy Elvis On Tour : The Rehearsals (Released on Follow That Dream, Sony/BMG's Elvis collectors label)
Buy Elvis : Close Up (Disc 4 has the complete show from San Antonio)

Directed Robert Abel
Producer Pierre Adidge
Associate Producer Sidney Levin
Metrocolor

The Band

James Burton : Lead Guitar, John Wilkinson : Rhythm Guitar, Glen D. Hardin : Piano, Charlie Hodge : Guitar and Vocal, Jerry Scheff : bass guitar, Ronnie Tutt : Drums, Sweet Inspirations : Backing Vocals, J.D Sumner & Stamps Quartet : Backing Vocals, Kathy Westmoreland : Backing Vocals, Orchestra conducted by Joe Guercio.