TCM Celebrates Elvis Presley’s 90th Birthday with Elvis Movies All Day Today
Today, Jan. 8, 2025, would have been Elvis Presley‘s 90th birthday. And if you’re looking to honor the King (who died in 1977, at the age of 42), TCM has you covered, with 24 hours of Elvis on film. The channel will air 13 films starring Elvis, from the ultra-popular to the mega-obscure, and everything in between.
6am: Live a Little, Love a Little (1968)
Everett Collection
In this comedy, Presley plays a photographer who’s struggling to hit the big time — but he’s certainly not struggling with the ladies! This film introduced the Elvis classic, “A Little Less Conversation.”
8am: The Trouble with Girls (1969)
This whimsical 1920s-set murder-mystery, which features Vincent Price, John Carradine, and Dabney Coleman in small roles, was one of Presley’s final acting gigs. At one point, Dick Van Dyke was attached to an earlier version of the script.
10am: Double Trouble (1967)
Everett Collection
Presley plays a singer named Guy Lambert, whose “double trouble” comes in the form of two gals chasing him across Europe on tour (what else is new?). Also creating some trouble for the singer? Jewel thieves, and the Flemish police officers intent on catching them.
12pm: This is Elvis (1981)
This documentary about the life of Presley combines archival footage with historical re-enactments. Voiceovers from Priscilla, Vernon and Gladys Presley, as well as Elvis-inspired voiceovers by singer Ral Donner, round out the film, which tells the tale of Presley’s life, from birth to tragically early death.
2pm: Speedway (1968)
Everett Collection
This classic co-stars Nancy Sinatra, in her last big screen acting role. Presley is NASCAR driver Steve Grayson, whose shady, gambling-obsessed manager has gotten him in trouble with the IRS. Sinatra plays what is certainly the sexiest depiction of an IRS agent ever committed to film. When she goes to collect his tax debt, sparks fly.
Here’s something even more surprising than a groovy IRS agent: this film was originally written as a vehicle for Sonny & Cher!
4pm: Kissin’ Cousins (1964)
What was it about the early ’60s and identical cousins? In this film (which debuted one year after the similarly-themed Patty Duke Show), Presley plays almost-identical cousins, one of whom is an Air Force pilot — the other is a member of a moonshine-making mountain family.
6pm: It Happened at the World’s Fair (1963)
Presley plays a down-on-his-luck crop duster, who woos a pretty nurse during the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle. The film is Kurt Russell’s first appearance on screen — though his cameo is so small, he wasn’t credited.
8pm: Jailhouse Rock (1957)
Credit: Everett Collection
Jailhouse Rock is one of Presley’s most famous films — but the King himself never watched this tale of a handsome convict who becomes a rock star. That’s because co-star Judy Tyler died in a car accident just days after filming wrapped. Presley was so overwhelmed by this tragedy that he refused to watch or discuss the film for the rest of his life.
9:45pm: Viva Las Vegas (1964)
Everett Collection
Perhaps the most famous film Presley ever appeared in, Viva Las Vegas gives us Elvis as Lucky, a somewhat unlucky racecar driver, who’s looking to earn enough cash to repair his car. Throwing a wrench into the plan, however, is Ann-Margret‘s Rusty, who Lucky decides he has to win over. The King performed the film’s title track in one single, unedited shot.
11:15pm: Elvis: That’s the Way It Is (1970)
This doc showcases Presley’s triumphant run of Las Vegas comeback shows in 1970 — though some footage shot in Arizona and California is included, too.
1am: Girl Happy (1965)
The Donna Reed Show‘s Shelley Fabares co-stars in this film about a nightclub singer performing during spring break in Florida — who happens to fall for the club owner’s daughter. Though the film is set in Florida, and some scenes were shot in Fort Lauderdale, all of Presley’s scenes were filmed in California.
2:45am Spinout (1966)
Everett Collection
Presley reteamed with Fabares a year later for this tale of a singer/ racecar driver, who just can’t get the girls to leave him alone (again, what’s new?). Three women pursue the King — a spoiled heiress, a romance expert, and the female drummer in his band.
4:30am Elvis on Tour (1972)
This doc recorded Presley on his 1972 national tour, and earned a Golden Globe for Best Documentary in 1973. A young Martin Scorsese helped out in the editing room for this one — he worked on it before he released Mean Streets, his first major film.
Remind 