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Elvis Presley - Elvis & The Colonel: The Untold Story (VHSrip)

"The TV film ELVIS AND THE COLONEL: The Untold Story premiered on the NBC Sunday Night Movie, 1/10/93.

Along with a cast of unknowns, Beau Bridges appears here as "Col." Tom Parker. Despite sounding like and giving credible performances of a few of the King's songs, Rob Youngblood doesn't have the looks, acting ability or charm to successfully carry the difficult Elvis role.

In an hour and 40 minutes of vignettes, we learn that Parker was an illegal alien from Holland, and although he loved his "boy," the colonel wasn't above ripping Presley off for 50% of the take. He interfered in Elvis's personal life by working to turn the young man against his friends. Parker also tried to pick the songs his client should sing, also what movies he'd appear in and what fashions the King would wear. He rarely got his way in these areas-- Elvis chose to ignore such advice without explaining why.

Parker orchestrated Presley's military induction even though the Army wasn't looking to draft him, and when the singer died in August of 1978, the coldly calculating Col. Tom quickly moved to retain control of the estate by importuning the bereaved father (Vernon) to sign a contract at his boy's wake!

Yes, this picture makes Mr. Parker out to be a complete bastid, and maybe he indeed was. On the other hand, Elvis knew he was being shafted and ridden roughshod and did little to change matters. It would seem that in the end Elvis was his own worst enemy and Tom Parker was second in linefor the job.

As of 5/09, "Elvis and the Colonel" was not available on DVD." (Source: Amazon.com)

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