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“Quality production fails to ignite audience”
Status: Premiered on prime time TV in the US: February 6, 1990 Last Aired: May 19, 1990 Broadcast History (on prime time): Feb 1990 - ABC Tue 9.30-10:00pm Feb-Mar 1990 - ABC Sun 8:30-9:00pm May 1990 - ABC Sat 8:00-8:30pm Show Categories: Drama, Movie/Mini-Series Filming locations: Tipton-Rosemark Academy - 8696 Rosemark Road, Millington, Tennessee, USA Writers: Susan B. Chick; Gary Markowitz Executive Producer: Gary Markowitz Executive Producer: James D. Parriott Co-Producer: Priscilla Presley Original Music: Paul Buckmaster; Guy Moon; Steve Tyrell Camera: Daryn Okada Theme Song: All Shook Up sung by Ronnie McDowell
Kelli Williams - Mattie Walker (Elvis' girlfriend) Blake Gibbons - Bill Black Jesse Dabson - Scotty Moore Millie Perkins* - Gladys Presley Michael St. Gerard** - Elvis Presley Jordan Williams - Sam Phillips Billy Green Bush - Vernon Presley * appeared with Elvis in Wild In The Country ** also portrayed Elvis in the films Great Balls Of Fire (the Jerry Lee Lewis story) and Heart Of Dixie (see below)
The original prime time run on the ABC network in the USA lasted only 10 episodes. The remaining 3 episodes were subsequently shown during re-screenings of the show on stations including TNT. The series faired very poorly in the ratings during its initial run prompting the ABC network to reschedule it twice (see above). The series was initially put up against the ratings winner In The Heat of the Night and subsequently against the mega hit show Murder She Wrote. It was finally placed in a Saturday night timeslot against more routine opposition but this did little to improve its ratings performance. While 13 episodes had been filmed, the series was pulled from the schedule after 10 episodes. The unscreened 3 episodes were subsequently aired during re-runs on cable TV channels. "Elvis" arguably lacked sufficient of the elements which attracted audiences to the King in the first place. The musical performances were sparse and the narrative, while authentic to the time, lacked the pace and spark usually inherent in prime time dramas. At times the plotting was almost painfully slow. Despite its failure to capture an audience, "Elvis" remains an important part of the historical record surrounding the King.
IMDB Review (posted by Michael O’Keefe): ABC-TV is commended for their top notch attitude and efforts in this mini-series. So many projects have turned out to be just a mockery; but this presentation gives a interesting look at the life and legend of one of the world's most beloved entertainers. The series was canceled a few episodes before its scheduled conclusion; but this had nothing to do with the quality of the project in toto. Michael St. Gerard is second only to Kurt Russell in physically presenting the essence of Elvis. The uncanny resemblance, mannerisms and total look is terrific. Kudos to St. Gerard for his achievement and successful role as Elvis. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows Review: One of the most ballyhooed series of the 1989-90 season was this loving re-creation of Elvis Presley’s early years. Though not a ratings success, it was a TV first. Never before had the true story of a real-life superstar been dramatized in a weekly series; and never before had the birth of rock ’n’ roll been treated with such reverence and authenticity. It was as if the innocent, vital young Elvis, almost forgotten in his later years of dissipation and decline, had come back to life….It was all terribly authentic – perhaps too authentic – from the period cars, to the Memphis backdrop, to the slow, natural pace.
1. Money, Honey First aired: 2/6/1990 Production Code: B89201 Elvis must decide between driving a truck to help out his family and playing music with two seasoned musicians. His father, Vernon , thinks music is a waste of time. 2. The StormFirst aired: 2/11/1990 Production Code: B892023. The LocketFirst aired: 2/18/1990 Production Code: B89204 4. Bel Air BreakdownFirst aired: 3/4/1990 Production Code: B89206 5. Hole in the PocketFirst aired: 3/11/1990 Production Code: B89205 6. RootsFirst aired: 3/18/1990 Production Code: B89070 7. Grand Ole OpryFirst aired: 5/5/1990 Production Code: B89208 Elvis is about to have his dream come true--a performance at the Grand Ole Opry. However, performance night isn't everything he thought it would be. Also, he has uneasy feelings in the studio. 8. Sun SessionsFirst aired: 5/5/1990 Production Code: B89209 Still haunted by his Opry performance, Elvis has more difficulty in the studio trying to get his style onto a record. 9. BodyguardsFirst aired: 5/12/1990 Production Code: B89210 The girls love Elvis and give him lots of attention. Unfortunately, his bodyguards also mind him closely. 10. Let It BurnFirst aired: 5/19/1990 Production Code: B89214 11. Moody's BluesProduction Code: B89203 12. Old ManProduction Code: B89211 13. Four MilesProduction Code: B89213
The series has been re-run on cable TV stations periodically since its original network TV broadcast. Video Release: At least 2 volumes were released in the 1990s in Canada by Malofilm Video. Each volume contained 2 episodes. DVD Release: None to date (DVDR copies of varying audiovisual quality ocassionally appear for sale on eBay) Several years ago EIN approached EPE regarding possible release of the series on DVD. EPE's reply indicated it was unclear which company owned the rights to the series. To date an official DVD release has not been announced.
This moody, baby-faced hunk had the slick, sullen, magnetic good looks and rebel attitude of an Elvis Presley, not to mention a startling resemblance. Sure enough, the timing would prove right for Michael St. Gerard, making a killer impression on teenage girls first on film, then TV -- as greaser types and even Elvis himself -- in the early 90s. Born in New York Mills, New York, he developed an early interest in acting and first found work in Japanese commercials and the off-Broadway stage. He made a strong impression in an otherwise mediocre teen film Senior Week (1987), then really set the wheels in motion with his second film, the John Waters' retro classic Hairspray (1988), in which Ricki Lake pines for the St. Gerard amid an American Bandstand type setting circa 1962. The amiable and tuneful satire worked perfectly and St. Gerard managed to stand out among the cult figures who appeared, including Divine, Sonny Bono and Deborah Harry.
Michael moved ahead to the popular teen show "Beverly Hills, 90210" (1990), playing an acting teacher in it second season, but this time Luke Perry and Jason Priestley grabbed the sexy attention. From there a few insignificant direct-to-video exports materialized, such as Into the Sun (1992), Live Wire (1992) and Replikator (1994), but his career had simmered. In 1994, St. Gerard had a spiritual awakening after leading a Sunday School class, and, with it, decided to retire and focus his energies on religious instruction. He subsequently became a pastor in the Harlem area of New York City, extending himself and his church in particular to inner-city youths, and spends little time reflecting on his past stardom. Visit the Michael St. Gerard fansite
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