Elvis '56

Narrated by musician Levon Helm of The Band, Elvis '56 is a sometimes jittery but never dull record of "The King's" first full year of superstardom. The early Elvis is depicted through family photos and generic shots of the places where he grew up, drove the truck, twanged the first guitar. The soundtrack blares forth the first Sun Record singles, then we move into a marriage of sound and picture as newsreel footage begins creeping into the proceedings. Once more, the audience is treated to those precious clips of Elvis on The Milton Berle Show, The Steve Allen Show, and (from the waist up, or have you forgotten?) The Ed Sullivan Show. Filmmakers Susan and Alan Raymond have done an admirable job assembling what was available within their meager budget to nostalgically recreate a year that few will ever forget.