Elvis: The Comeback Special

TV Special
1968
Not Rated
50m

IMDb RATING

8.9/10

2.4K

YOUR RATING

Elvis Presley in Elvis: The Comeback Special (1968)

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Documentary Music Musical

Elvis Presley's television special of 3rd December 1968, featuring hits like Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel and Can't Help Falling in Love. It was the King's first TV appearance... Read allElvis Presley's television special of 3rd December 1968, featuring hits like Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel and Can't Help Falling in Love. It was the King's first TV appearance for more than eight years.Elvis Presley's television special of 3rd December 1968, featuring hits like Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel and Can't Help Falling in Love. It was the King's first TV appearance for more than eight years.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.9/10

2.4K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Self
(as The Blossoms)

Jean King

Self
(as The Blossoms)

Darlene Love

Self
(as The Blossoms)

Alan Fortas

Self

Lance LeGault

Self

Jaime Rogers

Self

Claude Thompson

Self

Barbara Burgess

Girl with 'Big Boss Man'

Susan Henning

Blonde Girl

Tanya Lemani

Belly Dancer

Cheryl Ladd

Audience Member

Bones Howe

Passerby in segment "Big Boss Man"
(uncredited)

Anita Mann

Dancer
(uncredited)

Director
- Steve Binder
Writers
- Allan Blye
- Chris Bearde
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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9:57

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Elvis' manager Col. Tom Parker originally wanted Elvis to perform without any dialogue, wearing a cardigan sweater like that worn by Perry Como, in front of a fireplace and a Christmas tree, and sing 20 Christmas songs. Producer Steve Binder axed this idea and came up with the concept of Elvis' performing in a black leather outfit and entirely improvising, for two hours, with an acoustic guitar, songs he had performed in private, dressing-room sessions with his fellow musicians.

Quotes
Elvis Presley: [joking while reading a script] It says here "Elvis, we're to film you from the waist up. You are not to touch hands with body... uh, I mean body with hands."

Alternate versions
Many different edits of this special have been released to TV and video over the years. Some of these versions have their own IMDb entries under different titles. Among the more notable versions:
The original broadcast did not include the bordello musical number "Let Yourself Go" which was edited out at the last minute. It was subsequently restored in later video and TV versions, including the 2004 DVD release.
When NBC rebroadcast the special in 1969, it replaced the performance of "Blue Christmas" with "Tiger Man." Some versions of the special released later include both songs. The 2004 DVD version only has Blue Christmas.
The 2006 'Special Edition' DVD version re-edited and expanded the program to 94 minutes.
Two full-hour "sit-down" concerts and two shorter "stand-up" concerts were videotaped for use in the special. The full version of the first sit-down concert was released separately to video and TV in the 1980s as _Elvis: One Night with You (1984) (TV)_. The other 3 concerts were released to video for the first time as bonus material on the 2004 DVD release.
Many alternate takes, false starts, bloopers, practical jokes, and run-throughs taped during shooting of the various production numbers have been included in their unedited entirely on the 2004 DVD release. The DVD also includes an alternate version of the special's closing credits without text, unedited footage of a promotional spot shot on the set, and a newly-edited music video of "If I Can Dream" created from some of the previously unseen footage.

Connections
Edited into The Story of Elvis Presley (1977)

Soundtracks
A Little Less Conversation
Written by Billy Strange / Mac Davis
Sung and Performed by Elvis Presley

User reviews31

Featured review

10/10

The greatest performer performs

Nobody can doubt that Elvis Presley defined what performing was and here in colour we see the king return to his roots for the very last time in his life after 8 years of Hollywood. Presley lived for another 9 years but when he got into Las Vegas just after this, it was all over. Presley's Vegas period is not to be dismissed in a flash because his cabaret type concerts were so enjoyable. Vegas entertained greatly but here in 1968 immitating his 50's period Elvis contributed to music and society. This show was the main inspiration for MTV Unplugged and it pictures a raw rocking king oozing R&B, gospel and R&R. If anybody sees this and can not be amazed by this man they are missing soemthing. He defined pop culture and music because of his natural ability to get across the meaning and feeling of the songs. (Hardly anyone can do that like him). Here we see Elvis very up to date with the times with almost hard rock, looking and sounding so great. There is an amusing sketch where he jokes about his entire movie career but the scenes where he is sitting with his original band and jamming away can never be beaten. Nobody can come close to Elvis Presley and his 68 comeback special! Its phenomonel!