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Elvis Presley made no less than nine network television appearances before performing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" the evening of September 9, 1956, but most of America first saw him then. Despite a stiff demeanor and tendency to pronounce show as "shoe," Sullivan was the ringmaster of American entertainment. His Sunday night variety program was an institution in the days when television was still a three channel proposition. Appearing on his show was an important break for any entertainer. It was tantamount to receiving the show business seal of approval. But Sullivan originally did not approve of Presley and vowed he wouldn't touch the singer with a ten foot pole. Despite selling more records faster than any recording artist in history, Presley was more than hot. He was scorching. The swivel hips that earned him the nickname "Elvis the Pelvis" (which he despised, calling it "childish") and his expressive singing style made him a lightning rod of controversy. One journalist compared his stage act to that of a stripper. However, when Presley appeared on "The Steve Allen Show" which was scheduled opposite Sullivan on Sunday nights, the ratings went through the roof. Sullivan reversed himself and offered Presley a then record $50,000 to make three appearances on his show. Just how shocking Presley was in 1956 was never apparent in the frequently recycled clips of his performances. Now, thanks to Image Entertainment's 3 disc DVD set, "Elvis: The Ed Sullivan Show," his performances can be seen in their proper context. Ironically, a car accident prevented Sullivan from being present that first night. Charles Laughton, the brilliant British stage and screen actor (and husband of Elsa Lanchester, "The Bride of Frankenstein"), was the guest host that night, kicking off the proceedings by reading some poetry followed by limericks. The Brothers Amin, an acrobatic act, came next, then Dorothy Sarnoff performed a song from Broadway's "The King and I." After a commercial, Laughton, standing before a wall of Presley's gold records, introduced the man whom a record 55 million viewers tuned in to see.Wearing a plaid jacket and a guitar slung over his chest like a machine gun, Presley blasts his way into "Don't Be Cruel" and it's a little like Moses parting the Red Sea. Prior to Elvis, entertainment didn't have to be rated with letters signifying what age group should be permitted to watch. Families watched TV and listened to music the same way they went to the movies: together. Now Elvis came to drive them apart.Teenagers love him, of course, especially the girls, and what was there not to like? Handsome, but in a way men had not been before; threatening, yet still somehow tame, as if his mask of menace was only meant to conceal a wounded heart. He is, after all, very well-mannered, saying "Yes, sir" and thanking "Mr." Laughton. What was one to make of this guy with the unusual name, the pompadour, and the long sideburns? "He just does this," Ed Sullivan would say while shaking his body on the October 28 show, "and everybody yells." Presley looked a little more sinister this time in his dark suit, and he offers reprises of "Don't Be Cruel," "Love Me Tender," and "Hound Dog" while also introducing one of his sultriest numbers, "Love Me."What did Dorothy Sarnoff think? And Senor Wences, who was on the bill the same night Presley appeared a second time? Clearly, show business had been rocked into a new dimension.His third and final appearance for Sullivan came on January 6, 1957 on a show that also featured Carol Burnett, one of the few stars whose wattage would increase in future years. By now, the country was clearly divided into two camps: those who championed the King of Rock and Roll, and those who condemned him. Sullivan was now in the former, surprising audiences and Elvis himself by proclaiming him a "good,decent boy." But there was no turning back. Soon, people would be talking about the "generation gap" and, later, "youth culture." The gap would widen in the `60s with even Presley taking his place among the old guard, but the gap started here. With the release of Elvis-The Ed Sullivan Show on DVD, it's now possible to properly assess the earth shaking impact Presley had in the more innocent era of the 1950's. Brian W. FairbanksNow the legendary peformances of Elvis on The Ed Sullivan Show are now together in one boxset, all 3 episodes just as they aired on TVs over America with people waiting to see the King of Rock 'N' Roll, a must have for an Elvis fan who has loved him for years or who just discovered the treasury of the legend.We loved them! Two of our daughters were visiting from San Diego, ages 44 and 35, and they enjoyed the shows every bit as much as we did. What a surprise for all of us to see Carol Burnett do one of her first stand up routines. Our daughter Lacie said, "She was even hilarious back then", and of course we were all captivated by Elvis. Would suggest it to people of all ages. Enjoy seeing Elvis' appearance in the context of the entire shows. Didn't like or agree with the opinions expressed by the individual who wrote the notes on the caliber of the other entertainers.Absolutely a must have elvis DVD with a fantastic quality.Very easy if you want to see only elvis performances or watch the complete episode.The extra home movies are not so interesting, i already have these on another release. |
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