Elvis 75th Anniversary Dvd Collection [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

To begin, two opening statements: number one, my review will only pertain to the supplemental features (or lack thereof) contained in the Elvis 75th Anniversary DVD Collection on Warner Brothers home video. Second, I rarely post negative reviews in this forum.

This set comes with a list price of $74.95. For that amount, I expected a boatload of extra features. The films themselves are all commonly available.

The back of the interior packaging clearly states that JAILHOUSE ROCK includes an audio commentary track and a retrospective featurette. Neither of those features are actually present.

Most of the discs include some Elvis trailers, but that's pretty much it for supplements, with one exception: VIVA LAS VEGAS does have an audio commentary track with "Elvis in Hollywood" author Steve Pond, and a 20 minute retrospective featurette (I had hoped for some comments from Ann-Margret in it, since she's still active in show business, but she does not appear).

Ads for this set promised audio commentaries (plural), so finding only one was a huge disappointment. One can only wonder what happened to the missing JAILHOUSE ROCK audio commentary track.

The version of THIS IS ELVIS contained in this box is the shorter 102 minute theatrical version. There are much longer cuts available elsewhere. Given that this box set is supposed to celebrate Elvis' 75th anniversary, I had hoped for one of the two longer cuts of the film. There is a short 9 minute featurette entitled "Behind the Gates of Graceland," but it appears slightly out of focus and is annoying to watch.

For the SRP of $74.95, I expected much more than this set provided. My verdict: if you wish to buy the box set for the supplemental features, you might just as well save your money. If you don't already have these films, this might be worth a purchase. Just don't expect to find the bells and whistles that an expensive 75th anniversary collection should have provided.

To help anyone who might be confused after reading Mr. Repsher's review, Widescreen format does not cut off anything at all..no heads..no legs, all body parts remain intact.

The "Pan and Scan" or Full screen format is what will cut or "crop" the film like framing a picture.

That being said this is a very good variety pack if you will of Elvis movies, the color and audio is much better than has been seen on TV and for $30.00 for 6 Elvis movies is a bargain.

Never expecting too much from an Elvis Presley movie occasionally pays off. And sometimes all it takes to elevate a Presley flick is a switching up of venue or premise. Cases in point: the N'Awleans-set KING CREOLE, the straight-up westerns FLAMING STAR and CHARRO!, and the ghetto doctor drama CHANGE OF HABIT, which co-stars Mary Tyler Moore as a nun. And for some reason I find FOLLOW THAT DREAM to be a surprisingly engaging film. IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD'S FAIR happens to also fall on my list of preferred Elvis Presley screenings.

In his film career, Elvis longed to branch out to more demanding roles and be perceived as a serious actor. But he seldom landed those dramatic parts. IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD'S FAIR is regarded as one of his formulaic musical comedy romps, but it presents its own easy-going charm. The character in this film may not have been that challenging for Elvis to play, but I think this is one of the most likeable parts he's ever taken on.

There are several cool things about the picture. First, the story is set in the backdrop of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Director Norman Taurog actually shot the film on location, lending it an authenticity and a sort of fun, wide-eyed wonder feel. Sights like the Space Needle, the monorail, and the Dream Car exhibit are featured, and, let's not forget, most of the story takes place in a friggin' fair! Granted, there's probably a bit of imprinting that went down when I first saw this movie when I was a kid, because nowadays those sights don't come off near as neat. But I still like the atmosphere.

Freelance charter pilots Mike Edwards (Presley) and his chum Danny (Gary Lockwood) lose their crop-duster plane due to Danny's gambling debts, and they hitchhike to the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. It's a skimpy story, bolstered by ten songs. The core of the plot has Mike taking in an abandoned seven-year-old girl and falling for an attractive but standoffish nurse (Joan O'Brien). And, somewhere along the way, a criminal element is introduced to spice things up, giving a reason for Elvis to engage in manly scuffle, the second one in this film. I'll say this for the King, he really throws himself into his fight scenes. It all ends with Elvis submitting his application to NASA (I kid you not!) and singing "Happy Ending."

Presley is fairly effortless in this one, his role well within the comforts of the cinematic niche he'd fallen into. He again does that thing where he's simultaneously a relentless skirt chaser and a good guy at heart. There are ten songs, most of which are bland. The ones I do like are the suggestive "Relax" (he croons to Yvonne Craig), the mild rocker "One Broken Heart for Sale," and the bouncy bedtime lullaby "Cotton Candy Land."

Elvis is particularly terrific and sweet when he's sharing screen time with young scene-stealer Vicky Tiu, who I think is the film's secret weapon. Vicky Tiu plays the waif Sue-Lin, and she brings a certain irrepressible energy and oodles of cuteness. For triviaheads out there, there's a sexy pre-Batgirl Yvonne Craig canoodling with Elvis, a pre-2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY Gary Lockwood as the gambling addicted pal, and, last but not least, there is Kurt Russell's uncredited film debut (he's the kid who kicks Elvis in the shin - twice!).

3.5 out of 5 stars for IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD'S FAIR. I like this movie enough that I choose to overlook the fact that Uncle Walter leaves his seven-year-old niece Sue-Lin in the care of a stranger he'd only met that same day. But then maybe he was aware that he was in an Elvis Presley vehicle, where all is sunshine, romance, and song. Ah-huh-huh!