Baby, Let's Play House

by Alanna Nash

  films, Elvis’s: and Beatles-Elvis rivalry, 395; Blue Hawaii, 247, 335–36, 343, 344–45, 346–48, 354, 355, 386, 389, 476, 556; Change of Habit, 449, 474–75; Charro!, 429, 467–68; Clambake, 434, 435, 439, 474; concerns about quality of, 354, 380–81, 405, 449, 469; Double Trouble, 329, 424–25; Easy Come, Easy Go, 329, 422, 427–28, 449; and Elvis’s personality, 348; Flaming Star, 327, 331–32, 334, 337, 409; Follow That Dream, 332, 348–49, 350, 529; Frankie and Johnny, 413; Fun in Acapulco, 376, 380–81, 424; G.I.

  films, Elvis’s (continued)

  Blues, 292, 323, 325, 328, 331, 332, 345, 348; Girl Happy, 400, 401, 449; Girls, Girls, Girls, 354–56, 357; Harem Scarum, 403, 405, 406, 408–9, 459; highest grossing of, 386; It Happened at the World’s Fair, 365–67, 369, 390, 391; Jailhouse Rock, 222, 224, 225, 229–30, 233, 244, 384, 496; Kid Galahad, 332, 351; King Creole, 244, 245, 246–47, 249, 252, 333; Kissin’ Cousins, 346, 388, 389–90, 391, 397, 398, 408; Live a Little, Love a Little, 450–52, 453, 461, 465; Love Me Tender, 176–79, 180, 186, 187, 188, 191, 197, 208, 211, 299, 332, 348; Loving You, 198, 208, 211, 212, 213, 214, 216, 217, 218, 227, 236, 237, 247, 344–45; Paradise, Hawaiian Style, 413, 414–15, 427; Roustabout, 394–96, 399, 414, 427; Speedway, 387, 442; Spinout, 420, 421; Stay Away, Joe, 429, 444, 454, 474; Tickle Me, 389, 404; The Trouble with Girls, 329, 468–69; Viva Las Vegas, 329, 384, 386–87, 388, 389; and Wallis’ comment about Elvis’s films as sure thing, 348; Wild in the Country, 333–34, 335

  Fink, Robert, 540, 541, 600

  Finkel, Bob, 456, 457–58, 463, 464, 466, 543

  Finlator, John, 503, 505

  Finstad, Suzanne, 223, 299, 300, 302, 304, 306–13, 318–19, 330–31, 363, 378

  Florida; Elvis’s tour of, 165–69, 172–73

  folk music, 419, 510

  Fontana, D. J., 83, 99, 105, 123, 130, 141, 148, 168, 256, 343, 462, 490

  Forbes, Frances, 209–11, 260, 269

  Forbess, Buzzy, 47, 48, 52, 56, 61

  Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, 252, 253

  Fort Hood, Texas, 253–54, 256–57, 268,

  269

  Fortas, Alan: and Andress incident, 380; and Beatles-Elvis visit, 418; and Buergin-Elvis relationship, 276–77; and chimpanzee antics, 353, 354; as Circle G foreman, 431; and drug use among entourage, 369–70; and drugs, 412–13; and Ellington-Elvis relationship, 342; and Elvis’s cowboy phase, 431; and Elvis’s drug use, 369–70; and Elvis in the army, 252, 270, 276–77; and Elvis’s interest in sex and pornography, 352, 353, 421; and Elvis’s NBC TV special, 462, 464, 465; as entourage/Memphis Mafia member, 237–38, 352, 366; and Geller, 399; and Gladys, 250; and Hollywood parties, 379; and Lange-Elvis relationship, 334; in Las Vegas, 393; Los Angeles home of, 425; memoir by, 369; nickname for, 238; personal background of, 237–38; and Priscilla and Elvis’s wedding, 441; and Priscilla-Elvis relationship, 362, 364; and Weld, 334; and Wood (Anita)-Elvis relationship, 239, 364

  Fortas, Jo, 412, 419

  Franklin, Aretha, 450, 477

  Franks, Tillman, 82, 83, 84

  Frees, Paul, 499, 503

  Fulchino, Anne, 131, 154, 270, 271, 380–81

  Gable, Lether, 18, 32

  Gambill, Gee Gee, 436, 444, 459, 475, 483, 485, 582

  Gambill, Patsy, 459, 475, 485, 582

  Ganley, Gail, 397–98

  Gardner, Hy, 157–58

  Garr, Teri, 379–80

  Gator Bowl Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida); Elvis’s performances at, 104–5, 107–8

  Geller, Judy, 553–55, 582

  Geller, Larry: and Alden-Elvis relationship, 586, 587, 594; and Ann-Margret and Elvis, 400–401, 423; and Beatles-Elvis visit, 418, 419; and book-burning, 438; book by, 420; and Elvis’s death, 603; and Elvis’s drug use, 420; and Elvis’s generosity, 433; and Elvis’s health problems, 593–94; and Elvis’s interest in spirituality/metaphysics, 399–400; and Elvis’s plans for future, 598; and Elvis’s promise of marriage, 423;and Elvis’s relationship with women, 171, 527–28; entourage’s views about, 403; and fourteen-year-old at Perugia Way house, 418–19; as hairdresser, 399; in Hawaii, 414, 589; in Hollywood, 436; and Judy-Elvis meeting, 553–54; in Las Vegas, 527; leaves entourage, 438, 439; and mocking of Elvis’s interest in spirituality, 427; and Parker, 438; and Parker’s relationship with entourage, 437; and Priscilla-Elvis relationship, 420, 439; and Priscilla-Elvis wedding, 441; returns to entourage, 513; and Shapiro wedding, 586; as spiritual adviser to Elvis, 400, 403, 406–8, 421; and Thompson-Elvis relationship, 579, 584

  Germany; Elvis in army in, 247, 268, 269–71, 273–83, 285–95, 297–319

  Gessell, Judy, 57, 59

  Ghanem, Elias, 535, 542, 543, 559, 591

  Giancana, Sam, 393, 394

  girlfriends: church as way of meeting, 67; and Elvis as child and youth, 29–31, 37, 40–41, 48–54, 57–61, 67; and Elvis as puer aeternus, 129–30; and Elvis’s desire for fourteen-year-old girls, 26, 58, 68, 172, 209, 210–11, 418–19; and Elvis’s early days in Hollywood, 180–81; and Elvis’s entourage, 215–16; Elvis’s fascination with young teenagers, 295; Elvis’s need for, 487–88; and Elvis’s need to control relationships, 161; Elvis’s protection of, 26; Elvis’s relationship with, 25, 32, 84, 87, 92, 109, 129–30, 144, 171, 268; Elvis’s use of physical force against, 357; ending of Elvis’s relationships with, 92; Gladys as model for Elvis’s, 211; Hearn as Elvis’s first publicly acknowledged, 135; jealous husbands and boyfriends of, 125–26, 136; as mother figures, 547; as playthings, 26; reactions to Elvis by, 85, 86–87, 89, 94, 103, 107–9, 117–18, 125; and romantic ideals of Elvis, 93; and virgins, 93, 172; and women who have been pregnant, 455, 476, 515. See also girlfriends; sex; women; specific woman

  Gleaves, Cliff: and Audubon Drive House, 217; in Elvis’s films, 232; and Elvis in the army, 245, 293, 300, 316; Elvis’s relationship with, 196; firing of, 327; and Grant’s introduction to Elvis, 299; and Little Richard-Elvis appearance, 214, 215; and Monroe, 327; in Paris, 316; and Priscilla-Elvis relationship, 300; and Scott (Lizabeth)-Elvis relationship, 214; and Wheeler-Elvis relationship, 201; and Wood (Anita)-Elvis relationship, 236, 533; Wood’s (Anita) friendship with, 235

  “God playing” game, 406

  Golden, George, 221–23

  Golden Globe awards; Elvis receives, 521

  Goldenberg, Billy, 461–62, 477

  Goldman, Albert, 184, 242, 486

  Gooding, Eunice, 168, 172

  Gooding, Marion W., 167–69, 170, 287, 462

  Goodwin, Laurel, 355, 356

  gospel music, 70, 228. See also All-Night Gospel Singings; specific person or song

  Graceland: book-burning at, 438; Elvis buys, 218, 219, 221; and Elvis’s financial affairs, 575; Elvis’s happy memories at, 432; and Elvis’s return from army, 315, 317, 322–23, 324; Elvis’s shooting at television at, 543; fans at, 222; and Gladys’s death and funeral, 262, 264, 266; gravesites at, 14; horses/stables at, 429, 431; Meditation Garden at, 14, 419–20; music gates at, 222; price of, 221; Priscilla receives deed of trust to, 593; racquetball court at, 576; redecorating of, 221–22, 227, 428; security at, 264; shootings at, 543, 593; as symbol of Elvis’s dreams, 444; wedding reception for Priscilla and Elvis at, 441. See also specific person

  Grammy Award, Elvis wins, 424

  Grand Ole Opry, 27, 36, 39, 81–82, 101, 106, 119, 153, 249

  Grant, Carol, 299, 302, 318

  Grant, LaVern Currie, 293, 298, 299–301, 302, 303, 307–9, 310, 311, 312, 313, 318–19

  Grant, Virginia, 218, 221

  Grimes, Oleta, 30, 32

  Guercio, Joe, 490, 521

  guitar, Elvis,’ 34–37, 45, 50

  Gulf Hills Dude Ranch, 163

  guns: and Alden-Elvis relationship, 590; and donut shop incident, 517–18; Elvis as carrying, 226–27, 335, 383, 499–500, 501–2, 517–18, 542, 597; Elvis’s interest in, 444, 489; and Elvis’s interest in law enforcement, 499, 508; and Elvis’s unpredictable behavior, 543, 576; of Leigh, 497; of McGuire, 394; as present for Elvis, 34, 35; and shooting of Dr. Nick, 567; and shootin
gs at Graceland, 543, 593; and threats against Elvis, 492

  Guy, Doris, 47, 49–50

  Guy, Farley, 47, 49, 52, 56

  Hamill, James E., 67, 229, 265, 266

  Hank Snow Enterprises-Jamboree Attractions, 101, 102, 103, 107, 124

  Harmony, Dottie, 197, 204, 207, 364

  Harris, Guy, 33–34

  Harris, Pid, 5–6

  Hart, Dolores, 206, 212–13, 246–47, 301, 356, 415

  Hawaii: Elvis’s shows in, 244; Elvis’s vacations in, 414, 475, 479, 485, 589; as location for Elvis’s films, 354, 414; Priscilla and Elvis’s second honeymoon in, 459. See also U.S.S. Arizona; specific film

  Hawn, Goldie, 551, 552

  Hearn, Barbara: and Adams-Elvis relationship, 188; appearance of, 133, 397; in beauty contest, 238; in car accident, 188; and Elvis’s arrest, 189; and Elvis at Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show, 185, 186; Elvis’s dates with, 135; and Elvis’s drug use, 557; and Elvis’s fan mail, 137; Elvis’s gifts for, 137, 203, 204–5, 207; and Elvis’s jealousy, 138, 203; and Elvis’s other women, 188, 189, 204; Elvis’s public declaration about, 135, 156, 183; Elvis’s relationship with, 182, 188, 191, 203, 207–8, 223, 336; and Elvis’s Texas tour, 165; family background of, 133–34; and fans of Elvis, 203; film career of, 207; Gladys and Vernon’s relationship with, 134, 136, 137; and Gladys’s baby joke, 28–29; and Gladys’s

  Hearn, Barbara (continued)

  death and funeral, 265; and Gladys’s health, 216–17; and gold lamé vest, 203–4, 207–8; and Graceland, 222–23, 335–36; and July 4th celebration, 158, 159; and Locke-Elvis relationship, 104; as Locke’s friend, 133, 134, 135, 149; nose of, 211; personality and character of, 133–34; views about Elvis’s songs of, 159–60; views about greatest female singer of, 336; and Wheeler-Elvis relationship, 140; Wheeler’s visit with, 201; and Wood’s (Natalie) visit to Memphis, 195

  Heart O’ Texas Coliseum (Waco, Texas); Elvis show at, 200–203

  Hebler, Dave, 557, 578, 597

  Heissen, Heidi, 209–11, 260

  Helm, Anne, 340, 348–50

  Henley, Tish, 537, 567, 599, 600

  Henning, Susan, 446, 453–55, 465–66, 467, 516

  Hill & Range, 293, 473

  Hirshan, Leonard, 179, 180

  Hodge, Charlie: and “Aloha from Hawaii” concert, 531; and Beverly Wilshire parties, 333; Bova call to, 531; and Brownlee, 569; and Elvis’s death, 602; and Elvis’s desire to go to Europe, 425; and Elvis’s drug use, 333, 515; and Elvis in films, 325, 468; and Elvis in the army, 274, 275, 286, 293; and Elvis’s Las Vegas performances, 477, 481, 486; and Elvis’s Los Angeles homes, 425;and Elvis’s NBC TV special, 462, 464; Elvis renews acquaintance with, 270; and Elvis’s tour, 498; as entourage member, 325, 352; and Fabares-Elvis relationship, 402; in Hawaii, 347, 414, 459, 475; and Kerwin-Elvis meeting, 591; and Leigh-Elvis relationship, 496; and Lisa Marie’s birth, 447, 448; in Los Angeles, 436, 444; and Moore-Elvis relationship, 350–51; in Palm Springs, 426; and Priscilla-Elvis relationship, 303; and Priscilla-Elvis wedding, 441; and Priscilla’s visit to Hollywood, 362; and Williams-Elvis relationship, 498; and Wood (Anita) in Las Vegas, 533

  Hofman, Lester, 598, 599

  Hollywood Reporter, 533, 536, 555

  Holt, Georgia, 243–44

  homosexuality, 24, 214, 316

  Hookstratten, E. Gregory, 523, 535

  Hooten, Arthur, 158, 163, 224

  Horton, Johnny, 82, 93, 94

  Houston, Texas: Elvis’s performance in, 487, 488; Elvis’s popularity in, 97

  Howe, Dayton Burr “Bones,” 457, 458, 461, 462–63, 464, 466

  Hughes, Howard, 184, 397

  Humes High School (Memphis, Tennessee): Elvis as student at, 45, 47, 50, 51, 54, 55; Elvis’s visits to, 337; Minstrel Show at, 55–57, 59; senior prom at, 60–61

  Hunt, William Robert, 3–4, 12, 13

  Hy Gardner Calling! (WRCA-TV show), 157, 158

  The Imperials, 424, 460, 477, 493, 520

  Jackson, Wanda, 117–19, 141, 143, 274

  Jacksonville, Florida: criticisms of Elvis in, 167–69; and Elvis’s Florida tour, 166–69; Elvis’s hospitalization in, 171; Elvis invites Rowland to, 162; Elvis’s performances in, 126, 166–69; riots in, 126

  Jamboree Attractions, 101, 124

  Jarvis, Felton, 395, 424, 472, 473, 490, 510, 531, 536

  Jesus charm, 496

  Jimmie Rodgers Show (TV show), 123, 249

  Jones, Ira, 273–74, 275

  Jones, Tom, 428, 463–64, 493, 555

  The Jordanaires, 191, 242, 256, 395, 432

  Juanico, Jerry, 116, 149

  Juanico, June: and Adams, 192–93; breakup between Elvis and, 218–19; Elvis’s activities with, 150–51, 164–66; and Elvis’s death, 605; and Elvis’s fame, 165; and Elvis’s financial affairs, 192; Elvis first meets, 114–17; and Elvis’s Florida tour, 165, 167, 168, 169–70, 172; Elvis’s gifts for, 173; and Elvis’s interest in spirituality, 400; and Elvis’s Las Vegas performances, 479; Elvis’s New Orleans meeting with, 218–19; and Elvis’s other women, 204; Elvis’s public declaration about, 156, 183; Elvis’s regrets about, 287; Elvis’s relationship with, 151, 171, 191, 204, 207, 218, 219; Elvis renews acquaintance with, 149–50; Elvis’s surprise meeting with, 383–84; Elvis’s thoughts about marriage to, 165; and Elvis’s visit to Biloxi, 163; Gladys’ relationship with, 150–51; marriage of, 219; Memphis visit of, 149–50, 189, 192–93; and Parker, 165–66, 192, 204; personality and character of, 524; rumors of Elvis’s engagement to, 163–64, 166; as surrogate mother, 172–73; and Wood’s (Natalie) visit to Memphis, 192

  Juanico, May, 163, 164, 165–66

  “Judy incident,” 354

  Junior Chamber of Commerce; Elvis honored by, 508

  Kahane, Jackie, 521, 528, 544, 575, 594

  Kalcheim, Harry, 132, 148

  Kansas City, Missouri; Elvis’s performances in, 148

  Kanter, Hal, 198–200, 207, 213, 344–45

  Kaplan, George, 515, 535, 591

  karate/martial arts: Elvis’s interest in, 316–17, 333, 355, 459, 460, 509–10, 542–43, 555, 563, 575; Priscilla’s interest in, 512

  Katz Drug Store (Memphis, Tennessee); Elvis’s performance at, 79

  Katzman, Sam, 389, 390, 405, 440

  Keaton, Mike, 404, 414

  Keesler Air Force Base; Elvis’s performances at, 114

  Kefauver, Estes, 341

  Keisker, Marion, 63, 65–66, 68, 72, 77, 79–80, 81, 88–89, 109, 123, 124, 126–27, 193, 317–18

  The Ken Darby Trio, 178

  Kennedy, Aaron, 12, 18, 27, 31, 35

  Kennedy, John F., 298, 389

  Kennedy, Robert, 461, 469

  Kerkorian, Kirk, 464, 471, 487, 488

  Kerwin, Alicia, 591–92

  King, Martin Luther Jr., 452, 461, 469

  King, Pee Wee, 100, 101

  Kingsley, Jimmy, 393, 405

  Kirkham, Millie, 343, 490–91

  The Kiss (Wertheimer photo), 154–56, 290

  Klein, Barbara, 569, 571

  Klein, George: and Alden-Elvis relationship, 579; and Elvis American recordings, 472; and Elvis’s early attempts to sing commercially, 71; in Elvis’s films, 232; Elvis’s high school friendship with, 47, 55, 57; and Elvis in the army, 270; and Elvis’s Las Vegas performances, 478; and Elvis’s tours, 224; and girls for Elvis, 577; in high school, 47, 55, 57, 61; and Kerwin-Elvis meeting, 591; and new members of entourage, 238; nose job for, 211; as Phillips’ gofer, 79; and Priscilla-Elvis wedding, 441; and Priscilla’s visit to Hollywood, 360; and racquetball, 571; and Shepherd-Elvis meeting, 525; and Thompson-Elvis relationship, 524; and Tyler-Elvis relationship, 233; as WHBQ deejay, 428; and Wilbanks-Elvis relationship, 287; at WMC-TV, 135; and Wood (Anita)-Elvis relationship, 236

  Knickerbocker Hotel (Los Angeles): Elvis’s stays and parties at, 180–81, 457; Wood (Anita) at, 245

  Knott, David, 540, 541, 600

  Kozikowski, Nancy, 143, 144, 149–50

  KWKH radio, 76, 82, 132


  L. P. McCarty and Sons, 29, 187

  Lacker, Marty: and Ann-Margret and Elvis, 386, 422, 423; and Beatles-Elvis visit, 418; and chimpanzee antics, 353; and Circle G Ranch, 433, 434; and drugs, 352; and Elvis’s American recordings, 472–73; and Elvis’s drug use, 434, 515; and Elvis’s girlfriends on tour, 552; and Elvis’s guns, 500, 543; and Elvis’s health, 406; and Elvis’s increasing interest in sex, 422; and Elvis’s Los Angeles homes, 425; and Elvis’s weight, 414, 530–31; and Fortas’ drug dependency, 412–13; in Hawaii, 414; in Hollywood, 436; and Jarvis-Elvis meeting, 472; joins entourage, 238, 352; and Jones’ “Green, Green Grass of Home,” 428; in Las Vegas, 393, 394, 478; and McGuire-Elvis meeting, 393, 394; as Memphis Mafia foreman, 403–4, 411; and Parker, 411, 436; personal background of, 238; and Priscilla-Captain Beaulieu’s relationship, 305; and Priscilla-Elvis relationship, 374–75, 401, 439, 520, 546; and Priscilla’s Christmas visit to Graceland, 374–75; and splintering of entourage, 412; and Stanley-Elvis relationship, 532; and Thompson-Elvis relationship, 546, 562; and Wood (Anita)-Elvis relationship, 238, 239

  Lacker, Patsy, 388, 412, 414, 419

  Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Elvis’s performances at, 513, 535

  Landau, Laurenz, 315–16

  Langdon, Sue Ane, 395, 413

  Lange, Hope, 333–34

  Lanza, Mario, 212, 301, 477, 491

  Las Vegas, Nevada: Elvis’s drug use in, 543–44, 545; Elvis in, 142–47, 197, 208, 224, 226, 230, 294, 332–33, 362–63, 369, 386, 393–94, 425–26, 454, 463, 464, 471–72, 475, 477–83, 485, 486, 488, 490–91, 508, 509, 515, 516, 518, 520, 526, 529, 533, 536, 541–42, 544, 555–56, 561, 567, 572, 582–83, 584; Elvis’s unpredictable behavior in, 543; fans in, 486–87, 526–27, 534; Priscilla and Elvis’s wedding in, 440; threats against Elvis in, 489. See also specific person

  Lauderdale Courts (Memphis housing project), 46–47, 49, 50, 51, 53, 54, 56, 57, 59, 67, 166, 237, 337, 374, 493

  law enforcement: Elvis’s interest in, 499–500, 507–8. See also police

  Lawhon Elementary School, 28, 29, 31, 32