" My daddy had seen a lot of people who played guitars and stuff and didn't  work, so he said, ' you should make up your mind either about being an electrician or playing a guitar. I never saw a guitar player that was worth a damn."

On Tour Dialogue

A Big Hunk O' Love

These words, spoken by Elvis Presley, open Elvis On Tour. In this film, for the first time in his career, Elvis reveals a part of himself and his past. The American phenomenon, set the sights and sounds of his record-breaking concert tours.

Elvis'voice is heard over film of his concerts, combined with never-before-seen pictures chosen from his family album. Also included is footage from his early career, such as his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan show.

The second documentary to capture Elvis in performance focused on his road show. Elvis On Tour followed the singer's  15-city tour in the spring of 1972. The tour started in Buffalo, New York, and came to a rousing conclusion in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Much of the tour centered in the South, were Elvis' poularity reached a peak in the 1970's.

An overview of the April 1972 tour

April 05    Tour opening at Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. Wearing his Blue Nail Suit with red cape.

April 06    Olympia Stadium, Detroit, MI. Wearing his Red Lion Suit with red cape.

April 07    University of Dayton Arena, Dayton, Ohio. Wearing his White Fireworks Suit with red cape.

April 08    Stokely Athletic Center, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee (two concerts) Wearing his White Spectrum Suit with black cape and at the evening show wearing his Blue Nail Suit with white cape.

April 09    Coliseum, Hampton Roads, Va (two concerts)*

April 10    Coliseum, Richmond, Va.*

April 11    Civic Center, Roanoke, Va.

April 12    Fair Grounds Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana.

April 13    Coliseum, Charlotte, Nc.

April 14    Coliseum, Greensboro, Nc.*

April 15    Coliseum, Macon, Ga. (two concerts)

April 16    Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Jacksonville, Fla (two concerts)

April 17    T.H. Barton Coliseum, Little Rock, Arkansas.

April 18    Convention Center Arena, San Antonio, Texas.*

April 19    Closing tour at Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, Nm. 

* These concerts were recorded by RCA and M.G.M. 

 In addition to the footage of Elvis in concert, the film attempted to reveal the real Elvis Presley backstage and offguard. A camera followed Elvis and his entourage, while Elvis was asked to comment on such topics as his music and his childhood.

The most telling scene in the film is not one in which he sings. Just before a concert, Elvis, his musicians, and backup singers are shown waiting to go onstage. A bit nervous, Elvis begins singing a gospel song to break the tension, and the others quickly join in. For the observant viewer, this bit of spontaneity offers some insight into Elvis Presley. His natural ability as a singer is readily apparent, as is his ability to rally and lead a musical entourage of rock musicians, a gospel quartet, and female backup singers. More interesting is the role of gospel music. It is the tread that ties the diverse members of his musical troupe together, and therefore a basis of his music.

 Much of the success of the film was due to its creative use of filmmaking techniques, particalarly a split-screen effect that helps convey the exitement of Elvis in concert by simultaneously showing multiple images of him performing.

The documentary also made effective use of montage editing, a technique that rapidly presents a series of brief shots to compress the action or convey the passage of time. One such scene captured the hectic pace of Elvis' touring schedule through a montage sequence of cities visited during the tour. Another added in touch of humor via a collection of clips from his movie in which Elvis kisses a number of his costars. In charge of these montage sequences was a young filmmaker named Martin Scorsese.

Documentaries are rarely major box-office draws, but this film proved to be a financial succes. Critically acclaimed as well, Elvis On Tour won a Golden Globe as the Best Documentary of 1972. Elvis himself kept track of the awards ceremony the evening the Golden Globes were passed out, and he shouted with pride when the film was announched as the winner.