Elvis (TV miniseries) quotes

It's just like riding a bike, Elvis. Once you get out there on stage, it's gonna be like old times. Look, I just went out there. Those are your fans, Elvis. You can't let 'em down. You've never let the fans down.

Well, that's true.

And some of 'em are lookers, Elvis, I ain't gonna lie to you. If nothing else, just do it for me. It'll be one of the few times I get to play to your face instead of your ass.

Hey, Elvis, sing me that song about "Lawdy Miss Clawdy".

[short pause] Now twelve years I've been on stage with this man, and this is the first word he's ever said to me. First word. [they laugh] And for that now I'm gonna take his guitar. Come on, Scotty, give it up.

[laughs, he and Elvis switch guitars] That's all I got to say.

Steve, that was great, man.

Congratulations, man. You were great.

Oh, thank you. Thank you, bro.

[points to the "ELVIS" sign in big red letters] Hey, look at that. New beginnings.

Yeah. A new beginning.

[on Colonel Parker] Why do you put up with him bullying you? Treating you like a child?

You know, I've thought about that a lot over the years. And I'd try to explain it to you, but you just wouldn't understand.

I think I do.

How? You know nothing about the world I come from.

Actually, I know a lot about you, Elvis. It's my job. Your not that poor kid from Tupelo anymore. You live in the big house. You can be your own boss man. You've certainly out grown that old carny.

I gave him my word. Besides, before me there was no such thing as a rock star. He wrote the book on how to make one. Anyone else I'll hire will just have read it.

Well, maybe it's time to write a new book. Your own book.

What now?

[short pause] What's this?

Oh, that's a demo for the finale. Where'd you get it?

It's not a Christmas song, is it? It's one of them long-haired hippie, Communist American hatin' protest songs.

Actually, it's more like a gospel style. It's a new direction, Colonel. I like it, and uh, I'm doing it.

What's going on here, Elvis?

Oh, just a few other new directions, Colonel. I'm gonna tour again. Europe this time. And I don't care that you got some birth certificate problem or uh... you're an illegal alien, some folks say. And after Europe, I don't know. Japan. Who knows.

Why are you being like this?

Cos I don't wanna be bored anymore, Colonel! I don't wanna sing another song that I don't believe in! I don't wanna make another movie that I don't care about! This TV thing has me excited for the first time in years. I'm having fun with my music and I don't wanna lose that feeling.

A feeling? I'm not sending you out on some cockamamie tour just because of some feeling.

Then I'll find somebody who will.

Son, let me explain some things to you. We have a contract...

You always told me your contract can be re-negotiated, broken if need be. Well, maybe it's about time we tour up this contract.

That's what you want? After all my years of dedication to you and your career? All my work?! You ungrateful hillbilly! I knew you'd betray me!

Watch your mouth, you old phony!

Get out of my office!

You get out of my office! I payed for this office! You're fired!

You can't fire me. I quit!

I'm holding a press conference this afternoon to tell 'em your fired, you old carny!

Go ahead! But if you wanna end our business relationship, your going to have to pay up what you owe me.

Fine. Write me a bill.

I was expecting something like this, so I uh, I prepared some documents. [takes out a file case from under his desk] There's money I've advanced you. Then there's uh, bookings that I haven't taken my full commission from! Then there's expenses, future monies to deal with, movie profits... I get a percentage of the residuals on them too, and the records! Then there's uh, there's other items of mutual interest! So you wanna be free of me, [hands out a contract form] you're going to have to pay for the privilege.

Where we gonna come up with millions of dollars?

I'll talk to my agent's.

They in cahoots with the Colonel, they won't help us.

I get us a lawyer. I'll figure something out, daddy.

Lawyer's steal from you faster than a man with a gun. We could lose everything, E. What about your word? You made the man a promise. He kept up his end of the bargain.

Well lately, his hands been draggin' in the dirt and I've been doing all the heavy liftin', daddy! Now, I'll figure something out. Please, I'm dying here. I can manage myself.

But how? Is all I'm asking. You can't handle money. I got the bills to prove that. You don't even carry any money on you. Hell, you don't even know your own phone number. How are you gonna manage yourself?

I'll get somebody else.

Who? [Elvis doesn't say a word] Who, Elvis?

I was thinking about our conversation yesterday and if you want to tour. Well, I'll set it up. We'll tour.

What about the movies?

Well, that's gonna be a harder nut to crack. We're obligated to three more films, and the next one is already set up. Something called The Trouble with Girls and How to Get Out of It.

Sounds like a winner. What about this? [holds out the Refute of Contract form]

Oh, that. [takes the form] Trifle.

So where we gonna tour?

Las Vegas. I got us a hell of a deal.

Elvis' 1968 Comeback Special received rave reviews from the critics and was seen by nearly half of the American television audience.