Review of Elvis Meets Nixon (1997) by Nick P — 26 Apr 2008

Totally entertaining. I found this on cable and was shocked that I had never heard of this production. This "mockumentary" stems from the famous White House photo of Elvis "King of Rock 'n' Roll" Presley (played with charm and many laughs by Rick Peters) and Richard "Tricky Dick" Nixon (played by the ever talented Bob Gunton).

Supposedly based on truth (as told by Elvis I do not know). One night in December of 1970, a bored "E" (as his "Memphis Mafia" friends called him) leaves Graceland in a huff. However, he doesn't tell anyone where he is going or why.

Turns out that Mr. Presley hadn't seen the world on his own since before he became a famous singer. He had always had a posse before this. This is what made this film so interesting. Seeing the world through Elvis' naive eyes and his shock at what he learned about the U.

S., the world and how that world perceived his star status. Equally clueless about the nation and himself was Nixon who we see hiding in the White House and talking back (through his window) at Vietnam War protesters.

After three plane flights in 24 hours and one wild purple outfit, we eventually learn that Elvis has a meeting in Washington D.C. at the Justice Department. Narration is shared by a colorful cast of stars and broadcasters and people acting as Elvis' friends as well as those "acting" as people the King met on this crazy journey.

Stars such as Tony Curtis, Wayne Newton, Dick Cavett and musician Graham Nash all have brief moments in the story-telling. There was a wealth of information that I had never heard about Elvis. It makes me wonder how much is actually true.

We get some insight into this isolated star on these flights from Memphis to D.C. to Los Angeles and then back to D.C. So many funny moments and a heartfelt performance by Rick Peters made this a total joy to watch.

I recommend it especially for fans of Elvis.