Touches You

Memorable, crazy movie

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

This was a famous concert because it marked the fist one Elvis had done in eight years and many thought it was one of his best performances. I think this debuted as a TV special, which is where I first saw it almost 40 years ago. Wow, it sure doesn't seem that long ago. I re-watched it several times on video back in the '90s. The main benefit to having this on VHS - and more so now on DVD - is simply to have a copy of a music legend on tape or disc. How many bigger names in show business history are there than Elvis Presley?There are some good songs on here and his voice, even today, remains distinctive to me. I have never heard anyone who sounds quite like him. My favorites are his fast numbers.What I didn't like here was all the clowning around. Elvis does that way too much here, especially early on - laughing and joking in the middle of some of his songs, instead of just singing them. I bought this to hear him sing, although I'm glad he was having a good time, which is certainly entitled to having. Also, the dance numbers look really dated and stupid now. That's not his fault; that's the way they presented music shows back in the '60s. Something else you don't see much, if at all, nowadays: a secular recording artist doing a bunch of gospel songs. Elvis was into that his whole life and that was nice to see in here.One thing we'll always see that we see in this concert - adoring female fans shrieking as the male star performs. At least they aren't loud in here. I've seen it out of control and ruin concerts for those who actually want to hear the performer sing!Anyway, for Elvis fans, this is a "must."

"Mah man, mah man," he says while prowling about after one song. Black leather, lean and singing great. Elvis was the greatest, no one can touch him not even close. What he had came from the inside out, just a gut instict performer with a lifetime of showmanship skill. This is one of my favorite videos. If I find it on DVD, it's mine!

After much convincing, Elvis Presley does something about his career teetering on the brink of stagnation. During the last week of June 1968, the man who almost single handedly led a musical revolution in the mid '50s made use of "Western Recorders" and the "NBC Studios", Burbank, California to put on tape a TV special. The Elvis NBC Special came to be known as "The '68 Comeback Special". It was originally aired on the night of Dec 3, 1968 and slaughtered the competition: 'The Red Skelton Show', 'It Takes a Thief' and 'The Doris Day Show'. Made up of production numbers and mini-concerts in front of live audiences, this TV special afforded a lost man to find his way home. Elvis Presley was back and once again his career would regain meteoric flight.Producer/director Steve Binder would be swamped with accolades. NBC took the chance and came out looking like a champ. Elvis' fan base would swell. The lp "Elvis(TV Special)" would rapidly peak at #8 on the Billboard Top Albums chart. This 76 minute video is highlighted with a Gospel Medley, the Guitar Man Medley, and songs like 'Lawdy Miss Clawdy','Jailhouse Rock', 'Tiger Man', 'One Night', 'Memories' and the great finale number, 'If I Can Dream'. Even non Elvis fans will appreciate watching this. In a way it is like watching musical history...hell it is musical history.

I have absolutely no complaints about this special because I think it did a great deal of justice to Elvis Presley's stellar career. Everything about it makes it great from the pit session to the musical production numbers. Elvis even closes it out with the awesomely compelling 'If I Can Dream'. This is very easily Elvis at his absolute best. I highly recommend it to any fan.