Elvis!: Lights! Camera! Elvis! Collection

Packaged to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, this eight-film collection is nothing to get all shook up about. Elvis!: Lights! Camera! Elvis! is akin to those endlessly repackaged James Bond sets that contain one or two essential films along with the Octopussy's of the franchise. This collection contains one of Elvis' very best dramatic performances in King Creole (1958), directed by Michael Curtiz, and costarring Walter Matthau as a mob boss who insists delinquent Elvis sing exclusively at his New Orleans club. An Elvis movie is only as good as its songs, and King Creole contains three classics: “Hard Headed Woman,” “Trouble,” and the title tune. The fine supporting cast includes Dean Jagger as Elvis' disapproving father, Dolores Hart as the good girl, and a pre-Addams Family Carolyn Jones as the bad girl. Blue Hawaii (1961) is one of Elvis' most popular films, featuring sun, surf, and singing, including his No. 1 hit “Can't Help Falling in Love,” while Roustabout (1964) finds Elvis playing a drifter who joins a carnival run by no-nonsense boss lady Barbara Stranwyk. G.I. Blues (1960), Elvis' first film after his Army stint, benefits enormously from Juliet Prowse's performance as a frosty dancer—she's the object of a somewhat sordid bet between Elvis and his buddies. Musical highlights include the title tune, the comic “Didja Ever” and the lullaby “Big Boots.” But it's all downhill from here, with Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), Fun in Acapulco (1963), Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966) and Easy Come, Easy Go (1967) filling out the set. While the latter titles have their moments, none are really worthy of “The King.” Presented on an extra-less eight-disc set, this is recommended for those who don't already have the individual titles. [Note: newly available from MGM is Elvis: MGM Movie Legends Collection, a four-disc set—priced at $29.98—that includes Kid Galahad, Frankie and Johnny, Follow That Dream, and Clambake.] (D. Liebenson)