Presley appeared on the Milton Berle, Steve Allen, and Ed Sullivan television
shows. That April Presley made his debut
in Las Vegas at the New Frontier Hotel,
but the two week engagement was cancelled after a week due to poor audience
response. In August Presley began filming his first film Love Me Tender.
Released three
months later it recouped its filming cost of $1 million in
three days. His singles that year included "Heartbreak Hotel," "I Was the One,"
"Blue Suede Shoes," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," "Hound Dog,"
"My Baby Left Me, "Anyway You Want Me," "Love Me Tender," "Don't Be Cruel,"
"Love Me," and "When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold" were all certified gold.
In early 1957 Presley became the target of criticism by teachers, clergymen,
and even other entertainers who thought his style was to suggestive. Even being
nicknamed "Elvis the Pelvis" by one writer. On January 6, he made the last
of his three appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show and was shown only from the waist up.
In March 1957 Presley purchased Graceland, a former church and converted it
into a twenty three room mansion. In February "All Shook Up" began an eighteen
week stretch at
number #1
Presley was the first rock star to crossover into films with consistent
commercial success. Loving You, his second film, was released in July 1957 and
"Teddy Bear" from it's soundtrack went to #1 on the pop, country, and R&B charts,
as did "All Shook Up" and "Jailhouse Rock," the title song from his next movie.
That December he received his draft notice, but was given a 30 day deferment
to complete the filming of King Creole. Presley's first four feature films are
considered his best. Originally Presley intended to be a serious actor, but
unfortunately after he left the service, the choice of roles was left
entirely to Colonel Parker with poor results. Since Presley would not tour
until the early Seventies, it was through these movies that his fans most
fans saw him and that alone accounted for their massive success.
On March 24, 1958 Presley entered the Army. The next months saw number
one hits with "Don't" and "I Beg You." A few months later he went on
leave to be with sick mother. Gladys Presley died the day after his arrival
home in Memphis, on August 14, 1958. Presley would call her death the greatest
tragedy in his life. He returned to the Army and was shipped to Bremerhaven,
West Germany. In January 1960 he was promoted to sergeant and was discharged that March.