Elvis ‘56

Institute History

Description

In Elvis ‘56 directors Alan and Susan Raymond had the intelligence and discipline to focus on one year in the performer’s life: 1956, when Elvis would cut his first record, appear on national television and be swept up in the whirlwind of superstardom. Through archival material, rare kinescopes of early regional television appearances and hauntingly candid still photographs, the Raymonds evoke a remarkably intimate portrait of Presley—his infectious charisma, his loneliness and the impending doom of this small-town-boy on the verge of becoming a musical juggernaut.

Elvis ‘56, made to mark the tenth anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, chronicles a year in the life of the singer. It is not only about Elvis, but reflects on the shaping of our entire culture.

— Tony Safford

Screening Details

As you use our Online Archives, please understand that the information presented from Festivals, Labs, and other activities is taken directly from official publications from each year. While this information is limited and doesn't necessarily represent the full list of participants (e.g. actors and crew), it is the list given to us by the main film/play/project contact at the time, based on the space restrictions of our publications. Each entry in the Online Archives is meant as a historical record of a particular film, play, or project at the time of its involvement with Sundance Institute. For this reason, we can only amend an entry if a name is misspelled, or if the entry does not correctly reflect the original publication. If you have questions or comments, please email [email protected]