This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/27/2024
The offered "Wide World Photos" original news service photo is from Elvis Presley's March 26-27, 1956 Paramount Pictures screen test with Hal Wallis. The meetings with Wallis and the other Paramount folks were crucial in Colonel Parker finalizing Elvis' first movie deal just weeks later, referred to on the back of the offered photo. As part of the screen test, they asked Elvis lip-synch "Blue Suede Shoes" with a toy guitar. Even within these somewhat silly parameters, he blew their shoes off! Screenwriter Allan Weiss remembered the moment Elvis began: “The transformation was incredible… electricity bounced off the walls of the soundstage.”
The original paper caption is included, and it reads "Elvis Presley...21 year old Memphis Truck Driver who plays a savage guitar and works himself into a frenzy with his blues songs has signed a long term movie contract with Hal Wallis. Presley's recording of 'Heartbreak Hotel' has soared near the million copy mark. 4/10/56". The photo and news of the contract appeared in dozens newspapers around the country during that week in April, including The Buffalo News (see clipping at left). The 7 x 9 inch period photo presents in IMMACULATE Near Mint to Mint condition.