These Little-Known Facts About Elvis Presley Will Change How You See Him

Colonel Parker wanted more than records. So Elvis signed a seven-year deal with Paramount and stepped onto the silver screen. Love Me Tender wasn’t a critical masterpiece, but it didn’t matter. Girls swooned just watching him smolder. Hollywood saw a goldmine in the boy from Tupelo.

He could act—sort of—but more importantly, he could sell. Studios pushed him into roles that showcased his voice more than his talent. It was the start of an awkward courtship between Elvis and cinema, one that would trade artistry for box office receipts. He was a singer pretending to act—and doing just fine.