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Elvis Goes to Hollywood: Pictures of the King in All 31 of His Feature Films

2 minute read

In 1935, Elvis Aaron Presley was born to humble beginnings in a small home in Tupelo, Miss. But it was clear early on that he would become a star.

After receiving his first guitar at the age of 11, he made his first radio appearance in 1954 on a local program called “Louisiana Hayride.” A year later, his first television appearance was on a televised version of the same show. So perhaps it should be no surprise that his era-defining career was both audio and visual.

While most people know Presley as the “King of Rock and Roll,” he was also a regular in Hollywood, making 31 feature films between 1956 and 1969. (He also made two concert movies.) Although his films were not critically acclaimed, they were beloved by fans and their estimated box office earnings would total nearly $150 million over the years.

Presley made his acting debut in the 1956 Civil War-era western Love Me Tender, in which he played the role of Clint Reno, a man who stayed behind and married his brother’s girlfriend after the brother went off to war. The tagline for the film was “You’ll love him tender in the story he was born to play!” (As the the official Elvis Presley site recounts, footage of him singing the title song was added to the end of the film late in the process, after preview audiences were upset over his character’s death.)

Swedish-American actress, singer and dancer Ann-Margret and Elvis promoting the movie "Viva Las Vegas", 1964.
Swedish-American actress, singer and dancer Ann-Margret and Elvis promoting the movie 'Viva Las Vegas,' 1964.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images

From his first feature film to his last (Change of Habit, 1969), Presley was surrounded by talented costars, from Debra Paget in his first film to Mary Tyler Moore in his last. One in particular, Ann-Margret, left an indelible impression on him and they would remain friends (and rumored lovers) until the day of his death. The Swedish actress and sex symbol starred with him in the 1964 hit Viva Las Vegas.

On the 40th anniversary of his Aug. 16, 1977, death, revisit his 31 films — some memorable and some obscure — in the gallery above. The memory of “The King” is alive and well not only through his music, but also the films he left behind.

Michelle Molloy, who edited this photo essay, is a senior photo editor at TIME

"Love Me Tender" 1956, Elvis poses for wardobe test. 28, 1956, TM & Copyright ©20th Century Fox Film
"Love Me Tender": 1956, Elvis poses for a wardobe test.20th Century Fox Film Corp/Everett Collection
"Loving You"1957, Elvis poses for a portrait to publicize his movie.
"Loving You": 1957, Elvis poses for a portrait to publicize his movie.Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
"Jailhouse Rock"1957, Elvis in a scene where he is watching a burlesque dancer as Judy Tyler gives him a sly look.egs
"Jailhouse Rock": 1957, Elvis in a scene where he is watching a burlesque dancer with Judy Tyler.Bettmann/Getty Images
Elvis Presley Filming King Creole
"King Creole": 1958, Elvis on set.Bettmann/Getty Images
"GI Blues"1960, Elvis with six babies (three sets of twins) during the making of the film.
"GI Blues": 1960, Elvis on set with six babies (three sets of twins). Alan Band—Keystone/Getty Images
"Flaming Star"1960, Elvis as Pacer Burton on set.
"Flaming Star": 1960, Elvis as Pacer Burton.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images
"Wild In The Country"1961, Elvis and Tuesday Weld.
"Wild In The Country": 1961, Elvis and Tuesday Weld. Keystone/Getty Images
"Blue Hawaii"1961, Elvis on a surfboard.
"Blue Hawaii": 1961, Elvis on a surfboard. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Elvis Presley in Follow That Dream
"Follow That Dream": 1962, Elvis with Joanna Moore and Anne Helm.Sunset Boulevard/;Corbis/Getty Images
"Kid Galahad"1962, Elvis shows what he looks like after he gets slammed around in a remake of an old boxing film.
"Kid Galahad": 1962, Elvis in makeup during the remake of an old boxing film.Bettmann/Getty Images
"Girls! Girls! Girls!"1962, Elvis throws a punch to Jeremy Slate on set.
"Girls! Girls! Girls!": 1962, Elvis in a scene where he throws a punch to Jeremy Slate.Bettmann/Getty Images
On the set of It Happened at the World's Fair
"It Happened at the World's Fair": 1963, Elvis on set with Vicky Tiu. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images
"Fun in Acapulco"1963, Elvis with Ursula Andress and Alejandro Rey.
"Fun in Acapulco": 1963, Elvis with Ursula Andress and Alejandro Rey.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images
KISSIN' COUSINS, Yvonne Craig, Elvis Presley, Pamela Austin, 1964
"Kissin' Cousins": 1964, Elvis with Yvonne Craig and Pamela Austin.Everett Collection
"Viva Las Vegas"1964, Elvis and Ann-Margret on the set.
"Viva Las Vegas": 1964, Elvis and Ann-Margret.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images
"Roustabout"1964, Elvis holding hands with co-star Barbara Stanwyck between takes.
"Roustabout": 1964, Elvis holding hands with co-star Barbara Stanwyck between takes.Alan Band—Keystone/Getty Images
"Girl Happy" 1965, Elvis Presley comes to the rescue when a fight erupts after Shelley Fabares (seated on piano) tries to do a strip-tease act.
"Girl Happy": 1965, Elvis comes to the rescue when a fight erupts after Shelley Fabares (seated on piano) tries to do a strip-tease act.Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images
TICKLE ME, Jocelyn Lane, Elvis Presley, 1965
"Tickle Me": 1965, Elvis and Jocelyn Lane.Everett Collection
"Harum Scarum" 1965, Elvis on set with Mary Ann Mobley.
"Harum Scarum": 1965, Elvis and Mary Ann Mobley.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis /Getty Images
"Frankie and Johnny" 1966, Elvis in a scene at the casino.
"Frankie and Johnny": 1966, Elvis in a casino scene. Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images
Salad Girls
"Paradise, Hawaiian Style": 1966, Elvis poses in a promotional picture with Suzanna Leigh (blonde). Hulton Archive/Getty Images
"Spinout"1966, Elvis and Jack Mullaney in a poolside scene.
"Spinout": 1966, Elvis and Jack Mullaney in a poolside scene.Everett Collection
EASY COME, EASY GO, Elvis Presley, Ed Griffin, 1967
"Easy Come, Easy Go": 1967, Elvis and Ed Griffin.Everett Collection
"Double Trouble" 1967, Elvis comes face to face with his double.
"Double Trouble": 1967, Elvis comes face to face with his double.American Stock Archive/Getty Images
Elvis Presley in Clambake
"Clambake": 1967, Elvis in a music scene.John Springer Collection/Corbis/Getty Images
STAY AWAY JOE, Caitlin Wyles, Elvis Presley, Maurishka, 1968
"Stay Away, Joe": 1968, Elvis on set with Caitlin Wyles and Maurishka.Everett Collection
On the set of Speedway
"Speedway": 1968, Elvis and Nancy Sinatra.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images
"Live a Little, Love a Little"1968, Elvis in bed with Michele Carey.
"Live a Little, Love a Little": 1968, Elvis in bedroom scene with Michele Carey. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images
Elvis Presley in Charro!
"Charro!": 1969, Elvis as Jess Wade.Sunset Boulevard/Corbis/Getty Images
"The Trouble with Girls"1969, Elvis with Marlyn Mason.
"The Trouble with Girls": 1969, Elvis and Marlyn Mason.Everett Collection
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"Change of Habit": 1969, Elvis and Mary Tyler Moore relax between scenes.Bandphoto/Starstock/Photoshot/Everett Collection

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