Elvis Stories

Using a "video tabloid" approach, this wacky program features a half-dozen bogus stories about the King--Elvis "The Pelvis" Presley. Opening with MTV favorite Mojo Nixon's satiric music video, "Elvis Is Everywhere," the program also features an amazing story about telepathic hamburger patties, "Corkey's Elvis Patties", starring John Cusack (Say Anything, Tapeheads); "Elvis Lennon", a new theory which suggests that Elvis and John Lennon were the same person; "The Melvis Footage", in which a 10-year-old with a camcorder records a man in a supermarket who has sunglasses and a leather jacket and may be Elvis (or just about anyone else); and some clever ditties by an Elvis impersonator who looks more like Abbie Hoffman than Elvis. The mini-masterpiece of the tape, however, is a segment called "Possessed", in which a hairdresser, who is otherwise a normal homosexual, suffers attacks during which he is invaded by the spirit of Elvis. His boyfriend, who initially tries to keep a stiff upper lip, eventually breaks down crying. This is, admittedly, pretty weird stuff--and, like most compilations, somewhat hit and miss. Still, in the wake (which continues to trail) of all the Elvis stories that help to alleviate the boredom of standing in the supermarket check-out line, this homage is sure to be appreciated by many. Recommended. (Available from most distributors.)