Elvis at 85

A 50-year-old film resurfaces revealing more Elvis Presley gifts…

It’s jarring to think of Elvis Presley being 85.

August 2020 will mark 43 years since his death — at age 42 — so he’s been gone longer than he lived. Oddly, in 1977, being overwight and 42 made him seem strangely old for the King of Rock ‘n Roll.

Make that the King. Period.

Elvis is still the top-selling solo artist. Billboard counts 129 Presley albums charting in the top 200 followed by 82 for the legendary Frank Sinatra.

Elvis did everything his way and “My Way’’ was one of his final hits. His genres included rock and roll, pop, rockabilly, country, blues, Gospel and rhythm and blues.

It’s also jarring to watch the 1970 concert film, “That’s the Way it Is’’ and realize that 1970 was 50 years ago, a half century ago.

Flashback Cinema returned the film to the big screen with 21st century Surround Sound for his birthday. The film sold out on a Wednesday night in January (no small feat at any age).

Odder still: watching this full grown man in his prime at 35 and thinking “He was just 35? So young.’’

For many today, true adulthood often barely starts at 30. But this film occurs two years after his 1968 comeback special. It was also 17 years after his first 1953 record.

In this 1970 film, available on video, you see Elvis going to Las Vegas. Sammy Davis Jr. and other stars of the time are in the audience enchanted by his gifts.

Women keep running up to be kissed on by him.

On the lips.

He powerfully performs “current’’ (now classic) songs of contemporaries. Like Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water’’ or the pre-disco Bee Gees singing:

“It’s only words and words are all I have to take your heart away.’’

We know through history of the prescription drug over-use that resulted in his premature death. Watching a half century later with the advantage of time you see rehearsals and see signs of his pain.

You see him fall down. You see odd behavior everyone accepts and wonder is that the “funny young at heart talent” or the substances or a combination?

You see everyone around him and it is clear that this 35-year-old man is their King completely in charge.

You see him as a king, and realize why it is as much a curse as a blessing to get so much of what you wish. You see why so many idols like Elvis and Michael Jackson all died so young. Those scenes are given new meaning when he pulls out a song from his recent country album: “Just Pretend.’’

He speaks of anxiety before his show. When you have everything and still feel incomplete in some way, what do you do then? The film is shot mid-way through his 1967–73 marriage but no family is visible in the film. You sense his incompleteness and sense his sadness.

And then something incredible happens…

The film shifts to the Las Vegas shows, shot over six different nights and the “missing pieces’’ and awkward moments you sensed in the rehearsals are gone. He’s pure Elvis. Pure Talent. Pure Passion.

An idol — and all humans — need love more than anything else and before his audience he is clearly getting the love he needs at those moments and gives his all in return. The Beatles fled to the studio because the adoring crowds seemed like crazy mobs but here you see why Elvis did his best work for people who loved him.

The cheering audience, seated in night club style seating, adored their king and he clearly loved them completely.

You see him pour every bit of his body, heart, soul and spirit into these performances. The sweat poured out of him, not because of his weight (he was still quite fit in 1970 at age 35) but because he is literally giving them everything he has.

Like so many stars, he lived for the stage, for his audience. The king existed for his people and as long as they were with him, he seems complete and alive again.

“When I said, I needed you you said you would always stay. It wasn’t me who changed, but you. And now you’ve gone away… You don’t have to say you love me. Just be close at hand. You don’t have to stay forever. I will understand. Believe me. Believe me…’’ — Elvis reimagining a Dusty Springfield song.