2021
Colonel Tom Parker, a manipulative manager, guides Elvis Presley from obscurity to national fame, controlling his career through television and merchandise while stifling his artistic freedom. Despite Elvis's struggles with Parker's control, his mother's death, and a desire for more authentic music, Parker steers him into Hollywood films and a lucrative Las Vegas residency, isolating him from the evolving music scene. Elvis defies Parker during his 1968 Comeback Special, but increasing drug use, paranoia, and Parker's gambling debts strain their relationship, leading to Priscilla's departure and the revelation of Parker's undocumented status. Though Elvis publicly fires Parker, financial debt forces him to continue working under the Colonel until his death in 1977, leaving Parker to reflect on his dual role in creating and destroying a legend.
Save the Cat beat sheet
ELVIS follows Colonel Tom Parker’s retrospective narration as he recounts discovering and shaping Elvis Presley’s meteoric rise, his struggles with fame, and eventual fall-out.
Open full beat sheetElvis Presley is listed as Protagonist/Musician. Iconic rock and roll star, struggling with fame, addiction, and his relationship with his manager. In the parsed data, Elvis Presley is connected to 60 scenes, 43 dialogue lines, 47 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
60 scenes / 43 dialogue linesColonel Tom Parker is listed as Manager/Promoter. 87-year-old legendary manager of Elvis Presley, manipulative, carnival-background promoter. In the parsed data, Colonel Tom Parker is connected to 47 scenes, 44 dialogue lines, 45 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
47 scenes / 44 dialogue linesVernon Presley is listed as Elvis' Father. Elvis' father, often struggling with financial and personal pressures. In the parsed data, Vernon Presley is connected to 17 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
17 scenes / 2 dialogue linesPriscilla Presley is listed as Elvis' Wife. Elvis' wife, trying to ground him and save him from his lifestyle. In the parsed data, Priscilla Presley is connected to 15 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 76.
15 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJerry Schilling is listed as Friend/Associate. Childhood friend of Elvis and member of the Memphis Mafia. In the parsed data, Jerry Schilling is connected to 12 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 80.
12 scenes / 1 dialogue linesTom Diskin is listed as Lieutenant to Colonel. Colonel Parker's impossibly bland and loyal lieutenant. In the parsed data, Tom Diskin is connected to 12 scenes, first appearing around scene 4.
12 scenes / 0 dialogue linesBill Black is listed as Bassist. Member of the Blue Moon Boys, Elvis' early band. In the parsed data, Bill Black is connected to 11 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 26.
11 scenes / 1 dialogue linesScotty Moore is listed as Guitarist. Member of the Blue Moon Boys, Elvis' early band. In the parsed data, Scotty Moore is connected to 9 scenes, first appearing around scene 8.
9 scenes / 0 dialogue linesGladys Presley is listed as Elvis' Mother. Intense, protective, and deeply attached to her son. In the parsed data, Gladys Presley is connected to 7 scenes, 7 dialogue lines, 7 text mentions, first appearing around scene 9.
7 scenes / 7 dialogue linesSteve Binder is listed as Director. Director of Elvis' 1968 Comeback Special. In the parsed data, Steve Binder is connected to 6 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 61.
6 scenes / 1 dialogue linesB.B. King is listed as Blues Musician. Influential blues musician and friend to Elvis. In the parsed data, B.B. King is connected to 5 scenes, 5 dialogue lines, 5 text mentions, first appearing around scene 28.
5 scenes / 5 dialogue linesHank Snow is listed as Country Singer. Established country singer and early mentor/tour partner of Elvis. In the parsed data, Hank Snow is connected to 4 scenes, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 7.
4 scenes / 0 dialogue linesColonel Tom Parker, an elderly man, collapses in his apartment while listening to the radio.
Colonel Tom ParkerAn ambulance rushes Colonel Tom Parker to the hospital.
Colonel Tom ParkerMedics attempt to revive the unconscious Colonel.
Colonel Tom ParkerElvis Presley is revived by Dr. Nick in a service corridor while the Colonel watches.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Vernon Presley, Tom Diskin, Jerry SchillingVernon Presley decides on Elvis's treatment.
Vernon PresleyThe Colonel, in his hospital bed, reflects on his life and relationship with Elvis.
Colonel Tom ParkerThe Colonel interacts with Hank Snow and his son Jimmie at a carnival.
Colonel Tom Parker, Hank Snow, Tom DiskinThe Colonel gathers information about Elvis Presley.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill BlackElvis's family and band support him before his performance.
Elvis Presley, Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill BlackElvis performs on the Louisiana Hayride, causing a stir with his dancing, while the Colonel observes the audience's reaction.
Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom Parker, Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley, Hank Snow, Scotty MooreElvis returns home to his family, causing tension regarding his career choices.
Elvis Presley, Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley, Priscilla PresleyThe Colonel manipulates Hank Snow and approaches Elvis to discuss his career.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Hank Snow, Scotty Moore, Bill BlackThe Colonel isolates Elvis in the Hall of Mirrors to recruit him.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis PresleyColonel introduces Elvis to the carnival lifestyle and proposes to represent him exclusively.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Hank Snow, Scotty Moore, Bill BlackColonel and Elvis discuss the future of Elvis' career and the necessary sacrifices.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis PresleyFlash forward to Elvis discussing his move to RCA with Sam Phillips.
Elvis Presley, B.B. KingFlash forward to Elvis telling Dixie he must pretend to be single.
Elvis PresleyFlash forward to the signing of the Elvis Presley Enterprises contract.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley1997 reflection on Elvis' career and the impact of his music.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis PresleyElvis moves into Graceland and the Colonel introduces merchandise.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley, Tom DiskinElvis shops for clothes and meets B.B. King.
Elvis Presley, B.B. KingElvis performs on television, causing controversy.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Tom DiskinColonel forces Elvis to wear a suit and sing to a dog to avoid cancellation.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill BlackElvis reacts to the humiliating performance.
Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill BlackThe Presley family argues about Elvis' career and the Colonel's influence.
Elvis Presley, Gladys Presley, Vernon PresleyElvis argues with Gladys about his career and the Colonel's influence, leading to a tense confrontation with his family before he leaves.
Elvis Presley, Gladys Presley, Vernon Presley, Bill BlackElvis drives away from Graceland, followed by a mysterious black sedan.
Elvis PresleyElvis arrives at Club Handy and meets B.B. King.
Elvis Presley, B.B. KingElvis and B.B. King watch Little Richard perform and discuss the music business.
Elvis Presley, B.B. KingOld Colonel reflects on Elvis's acting career and his desire to be a serious actor.
Colonel Tom ParkerElvis and Priscilla are on the bus while Old Colonel narrates about their Hollywood life.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Priscilla PresleyOld Colonel narrates about Elvis and Priscilla's wedding.
Colonel Tom ParkerOld Colonel narrates about the birth of Lisa Marie.
Colonel Tom ParkerElvis films a water-skiing scene while Old Colonel reflects on the changing industry.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis PresleyElvis learns of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on the news.
Elvis Presley, Jerry SchillingElvis films the Edge of Reality number.
Elvis PresleyVernon and Priscilla discuss financial troubles while Billy arrives.
Vernon Presley, Priscilla PresleyBilly tells Elvis he is needed on set.
Elvis Presley, Bill Black, Jerry SchillingColonel pitches the Christmas special to Elvis and his family.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Vernon Presley, Priscilla Presley, Tom DiskinElvis and Jerry have a confrontation about Elvis's career and Jerry's future.
Elvis Presley, Bill Black, Jerry SchillingPriscilla goes to check on Elvis.
Priscilla PresleyElvis and Priscilla watch the memorial for MLK and discuss their future.
Elvis Presley, Priscilla PresleyMahalia Jackson sings at the memorial.
A convoy travels through the Hollywood Hills.
Steve Binder and Bones Howe travel to meet Elvis.
Steve BinderElvis meets with Binder and Howe to discuss his career.
Elvis Presley, Jerry Schilling, Steve BinderExterior of NBC Studios.
Elvis, Priscilla, and Jerry discuss the upcoming special.
Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley, Jerry SchillingColonel prepares for the special with Singer executives.
Colonel Tom Parker, Tom DiskinColonel and Binder discuss the show's content.
Colonel Tom Parker, Tom Diskin, Steve BinderElvis performs for the live audience.
Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley, Steve BinderElvis performs Jailhouse Rock.
Elvis PresleyElvis performs the sit-down section.
Elvis Presley, Scotty Moore, Bill BlackElvis talks about music and his career.
Elvis Presley, Scotty MooreElvis is seen on monitors in the control room, appearing to look directly at Colonel.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Tom DiskinElvis looks to Priscilla while on stage.
Elvis Presley, Priscilla PresleyBinder observes Colonel's reaction to Elvis on the monitors.
Colonel Tom Parker, Steve BinderOld Colonel watches Elvis on monitors, feeling mocked and poisoned by hippies.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis PresleyElvis sings while watching the Colonel; Claude Thompson performs a solo.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis PresleyColonel demands the Floor Manager cue 'Here Comes Santa Claus'.
Colonel Tom ParkerColonel bursts in as Binder cues the gospel and dance numbers.
Colonel Tom Parker, Steve BinderColonel Parker and Elvis discuss the upcoming international tour and the financial strategy for the International Hotel residency.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis PresleyElvis rehearses with the Sweet Inspirations, the Imperials, and a full orchestra.
Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom ParkerColonel Parker oversees the installation of the giant Elvis marquee.
Colonel Tom Parker, Tom DiskinElvis continues rehearsals, refining the performance with the band.
Elvis PresleyMontage of Colonel Parker's aggressive marketing campaign.
Colonel Tom ParkerElvis performs his opening night show to a packed house.
Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom Parker, Priscilla Presley, Vernon PresleyColonel Parker negotiates a long-term contract with the hotel owners during the show.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis PresleyColonel Parker warns Jerry Schilling about security concerns.
Colonel Tom Parker, Jerry SchillingElvis concludes his show with 'Falling in Love with You'.
Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom Parker, Priscilla Presley, Vernon Presley, Jerry SchillingElvis holds a press conference after the show.
Elvis Presley, Colonel Tom ParkerElvis struggles with paranoia and loneliness after the show.
Elvis PresleyColonel Parker convinces Elvis to cancel the international tour due to security threats.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley, Vernon PresleyElvis is ushered onto his jet by the Memphis Mafia while the Colonel reflects on the plan.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis PresleyElvis discusses future plans with the Colonel, Charlie, and Vernon while receiving medical care.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Vernon PresleyPriscilla informs Elvis she is leaving him and taking Lisa.
Elvis Presley, Priscilla PresleyPriscilla confronts Elvis about their failing marriage and leaves.
Elvis Presley, Priscilla PresleyJerry confronts Tom Diskin about the Colonel's management and Elvis' health.
Tom Diskin, Jerry SchillingJerry finds a letter addressed to the Colonel that hints at his past.
Jerry SchillingJerry tells Elvis the truth about the Colonel's lack of citizenship, leading to Elvis' collapse.
Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, Vernon Presley, Jerry SchillingAnyway... I'd like to talk a little about music... Very little. There's been a big change in the music field in the last ten or twelve years. And uh, I like a lot of the new groups, the Beatles and the Beards, and the whoever... But a lot of it is basically, our music is basically... rock 'n' roll music is basically, uh... Gospel or rhythm and blues.
Yes! That's the beauty of it. This here International Hotel needs a mighty big draw card to bring in the boobs... So they will cover the costs of putting together that show of yours. You play here for six weeks and then, off you go! Touring around the world! With no financial risk to Elvis Presley Enterprises. None.
Listen man, if you're sad and you wanna be sad, you're at the right place. If you're happy and you wanna be happy, guess what? You're at the right place. What you need is the tonic that ails you.
You're losing yourself, baby. The way you sing and move, it's God-given, so there can't be nothin' wrong with it. Satnin' knows...
Cue the gospel and then we'll segue straight into the whorehouse and kung-fu spectacular. Go!
Well, that's all right, mama, That's alright for you, That's alright, mama, any way you do...
We can be great together. But to achieve this, I will need to represent you exclusively.
He was as good as Brando. But you didn't want to see him in movies where he didn't sing!
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