Quotes

Dialogue

Colonel Tom Parker: I wish to promote you, Mr Presley. Are you ready to fly? Elvis Presley: I'm ready. Ready to fly.

Dialogue

Gladys Presley: "I Hate Elvis". Colonel Tom Parker: Yes. "I Hate Elvis". In my way of thinking, "I Love Elvis," that's an easy sell. Those who hate your son will do so whether we profit from it or not. [to Elvis] After all, what is hate worth if it's free? Vernon Presley: Oh, yeah. I get it.

Dialogue

Elvis Presley: I ain't wearin' no tails. I just... gotta lay off the moves, is all. Colonel says if I don't, they're gonna put me in jail. B.B. King: [chuckles] Come on, man. They're not gonna put you in jail. They might put me in jail for walkin' across the street, but you a famous white boy. Too many people making too much money off you to put you in jail. Elvis Presley: You think so? B.B. King: I know so. The Colonel's a smart man. There's gotta be another reason.

Dialogue

Colonel Tom Parker: [gently] Your daddy is doing the best he knows how, but he is overwhelmed. He needs your help. Elvis Presley: [crying] I can't go out there. I just wanna stay here forever. Colonel Tom Parker: Oh, my boy. No one could never replace her. But you listen to me. From this moment on, everything she would have done, I will carry out, in her name. When you are overseas, I will stay here at home. And I will work and I will worry. Trust me. Now you go and you stand by your papa. You comfort him. [helps Elvis to his feet] You comfort him. Comfort your friends and your family and even your fans. Hmm? Because if you don't do that, all that your mama has sacrificed for you will be for nothing. Elvis Presley: No matter what happens, you stay with me through thick and thin, okay? You're like a... like a father to me.

Dialogue

Elvis Presley: I've never met anyone like you. Priscilla Beaulieu: Well, I hope not.

Dialogue

Elvis Presley: Christmas special. Is this the best we can do, Admiral? Colonel Tom Parker: Well, we took the Hollywood phonies for every nickel they had and now it is time to pack up our tents and move on to even greener pastures. We've seen "Elvis the Rebel". We've seen "Elvis the Movie Star". Now we will see "Elvis the Family Entertainer". Jerry Schilling: [sarcastically] And appliance salesman. Elvis Presley: [turning to Jerry] What did you say? [walks over angrily] Listen, Jerry, I don't need you to question me about how I support my family and every goddamn person here! You understand me? If you don't like it, you can go back to Memphis. [entering his trailer] Laugh it up, assholes.

Dialogue

Elvis Presley: When I first came up to Hollywood, I'd come up here and sit for hours. [gestures over to the Griffith Observatory] Right over there, the observatory? That's where they shot Rebel Without a Cause. Man, I used to dream about being a great actor like Jimmy Dean. This sign was beautiful then. And now... feels as though lots of things are like that these days. Broke down, beat up. Rotten. I really like what you guys did, putting James Brown and the Stones together. Steve Binder: We're, uh... big fans of yours too. It's just that, Mr. Presley, we don't usually... Elvis Presley: Oh, Elvis. Steve Binder: Elvis, uh... Christmas specials aren't really our thing. Elvis Presley: I know. Tell me, honestly... where do you boys think my career's at right now? Bones Howe: Well, it's... Steve Binder: It's in the toilet, Elvis. Elvis Presley: You hear that, Jerry? Oh, Lord. I knew you were the right guys for this job. You know, back when I was starting out, some people wanted to put me in

Dialogue

Steve Binder: Listen, I, uh... I just wanna say that... that this nation is hurting. It's lost. You know? It... it needs a voice right now to help it heal. We have to say something. [turns to Elvis] You... have to make a statement, E.P. Colonel Tom Parker: Mr. Presley does not make statements. He sings "Here Comes Santa Claus" and wishes everyone "Merry Christmas and good night".

Dialogue

Jerry Schilling: He lied. There wasn't going to be an international tour 'cause he can't leave the country. He's got no citizenship, no official identity. He doesn't exist. There never was a Colonel Tom Parker. Elvis Presley: What are you talking about, Jerry? Elvis Presley: I'd like to turn the house lights up, ladies and gentlemen. 'Cause now that you've seen me, I'd like to take a look at you. [the audience cheers and applauds as the house lights come up] Oh, you're beautiful. Thank you. Oh, boy! Colonel Tom Parker: He'll mention the VIPs that are here. Elvis Presley: We got some high-rollers in here tonight. Colonel Tom Parker: Get ready for the spotlight. Elvis Presley: Mr. International Hotel himself! Colonel Tom Parker: Ah, there you go! Elvis Presley: And right next to him, is my so-called manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Elvis Presley: But I hear rumors that Colonel is an alien. Colonel Tom Parker: [playing along] Got here on my rocketship. Elvis Presley: Somebody call the FBI, an

Dialogue

Elvis Presley: [looking at a payment list for Jamboree Attractions claiming that Elvis and Vernon owe Parker $8,549,761.09] What is this? Vernon Presley: Well, that is what we owe the Colonel. We're broke. Elvis Presley: Daddy, I've been playing this mausoleum for a hundred years, how could we be broke? Vernon Presley: You spend so much money, you know, you got the cars and the girls and the clothes, and all the, you know, new airplane... Elvis Presley: Daddy, you are my business manager, you're supposed to be taking care of business... Vernon Presley: I don't know what to tell you, son! We're - We're broke! We're plain broke. Gotta take the Colonel back. Elvis Presley: I'm not takin' him back. Vernon Presley: We're gonna lose Graceland. Elvis Presley: [pause, in furious anger] I'm not takin' him back! [throws a table with boxes over] Takes everything from me, he takes 50% of everything that I make! And now he wants to take the home that we bought for momma! Listen to me, daddy. That o

Dialogue

Elvis Presley: Oh, you blood-sucking old vampire. You bled me dry and you still want more? Colonel Tom Parker: I'm not an uncaring man, Mr. Presley. Elvis Presley: Don't you "Mr. Presley" me, you toad! Colonel Tom Parker: If you are so determined to get out of our contract... Elvis Presley: You're goddamn right I want out! Colonel Tom Parker: Well, I will personally loan you the money that you owe to Jamboree Attractions. Elvis Presley: Yeah, you'll still have your claws in me. You'll still have me working here like a goddamn slave in a salt mine, you phony, no-good piece of trash! I oughta shoot you in your fat, goddamn face. Who are you? Colonel Tom Parker: I am you. And you are me. Elvis Presley: Cut the horseshit! Everything I've ever known about you has been a lie. Jerry Schilling: E.P., y'all good? Colonel Tom Parker: [chuckles; stands up in front of Elvis] My past is the least of your problems, my boy. Everyone else you associate with lives from you, Mr. Presley. Even Vernon. Th