CURRENT NEWS & EVENTS JANUARY, 2021

COPYRIGHT LINDAHOODSIGMONTRUTHCONTD.COM MAY, 2009 – 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS COPYRIGHT COVERS ALL OF MY ORIGINAL MATERIAL CONTAINED ON EVERY PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE.

Please do visit my YouTube channel:

Linda Hood Sigmon ‘s YouTube Channel

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2021

I have some news about Jesse to share.  Our go-between phoned me today.  He said that Jesse is still in the hospital and is going to have to stay there for a while.  They have been treating Jesse with medications.  He is still going to have to have surgery.  Jesse has not wanted the surgery up until now.  The surgery is now scheduled for the 12th.  However, Jesse now wants them to move the date up for sooner.  He had a bad night last night and is still coughing.

I certainly did appreciate getting the call from our go-between.  I will definitely post when I hear anything more.  Thanks to all of you for caring and worrying along with me.  

Love, Light, and Peace to all,
Linda

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2021

I just saw the below beautiful artwork displayed on Instagram by thespiritofelvispresley.  Isn’t this just beautiful!

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WEDNESDAY,  JANUARY 6, 2021

Mother Dolores Hart explains why she left Hollywood to become a nun: ‘God called me’

Hart gave Elvis Presley his first on-screen kiss in the 1957 film ‘Loving You’

By Stephanie Nolasco | Fox News

EXCLUSIVE: Actress Dolores Hart, who was once hailed as the next Grace Kelly, gave Elvis Presley his first on-screen kiss and worked alongside leading men like Montgomery Clift, Anthony Quinn, and Marlon Brando — just to name a few.placeholder

But in 1962 she left Hollywood behind and became a nun.

In 2016, the former star, now known as Mother Dolores Hart, celebrated 50 years of vowed life at the Abbey of Regina Laudis, an enclosed Benedictine monastery and working farm in Bethlehem, Conn. The now-82-year-old previously released a memoir titled “The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows,” where she detailed her surprising journey.

Her story was also the subject of an Oscar-nominated short film on HBO, titled “God Is the Bigger Elvis,” released in 2012. Today, Hart receives hundreds of letters from people across the country seeking guidance on having a closer relationship with God.

American actress Dolores Hart was celebrated as 'the next Grace Kelly' in Hollywood before she found her way to God.

American actress Dolores Hart was celebrated as ‘the next Grace Kelly’ in Hollywood before she found her way to God. (Photo by Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images)

Hart spoke to Fox News about bonding with Presley on set, ending her engagement, and how she feels about Hollywood today.

Fox News: What was your initial impression of Elvis Presley?
Mother Dolores Hart: To be honest, I did not know who he was. In fact, when I first met him, I asked him what he did. I remember him being very courteous. He was an absolute gentleman and would call me “Miss Dolores.” And then I learned what a talented singer he was. By the time we did our second film, we couldn’t walk down the street because there were so many people waiting for him, just wanting to touch him.

I remember one moment when we were taking a break from filming. He walked over to me, handed me a Bible, and said, “Miss Dolores, would you open this book? What do you see? What does it mean to you?” And so, I offered my opinion on what I was seeing. And from there, we spent the time in between the scenes talking about the Bible. I never expected a fellow actor, in particular, to have that kind of genuine curiosity. He wasn’t trying to set up anything. There were no flashbulbs around to take pictures of us. He did it because it was in his heart.

Dolores Hart and Elvis Presley starred together in 1957's "Loving You" and 1958's "King Creole."

Dolores Hart and Elvis Presley starred together in 1957’s “Loving You” and 1958’s “King Creole.” (Photo by Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

Fox News: Is it true you made Elvis Presley blush on set?
Hart: Well, it’s true *laughs*. We both had to do a kissing scene, for [1957’s] “Loving You,” which is a riot in itself. It’s the last scene of the film, but when you walk in on set, you’re told, “This is the first thing you’re going to do.” I remember I had to put my arms around him and kiss him. There were about 100 people on the soundstage. Seconds into it, the director, Hal Kanter, yells “Cut!” I thought, “Oh no, how can I kiss wrong?”

He immediately asks for the makeup man to come over to fix me up. I thought, “What’s going on? That’s it, it’s over for me.” Well, Hal tells me, “Dolores, you’re blushing in your ears. They’re red. We need makeup.” I was so embarrassed. After they fixed me up, we started again. And again, seconds later, he yells “Cut! Get some makeup for Mister Presley!” When I looked, he was red! But that’s the way it was. We were just a couple of kids. But he was a simple and true man.

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/mother-dolores-hart-elvis-presley-nun

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021

I love this cute photo…

Comedian George Jessel hit the stage in an exaggerated salaam to the King of rock and roll at Elvis's evening performance at Ellis Auditorium February 25, 1961. Jessel, the master of ceremonies, could not make it to the earlier matinee performance because of an airline strike. Elvis Presley Day began earlier with a luncheon honoring the singer at Hotel Claridge. More than $50,000 was raised for charity from the events.
Comedian George Jessel hit the stage in an exaggerated salaam to the King of rock and roll at Elvis’s evening performance at Ellis Auditorium on February 25, 1961. Jessel, the master of ceremonies, could not make it to the earlier matinee performance because of an airline strike. Elvis Presley Day began earlier with a luncheon honoring the singer at Hotel Claridge. More than $50,000 was raised for charity from the events.
ROBERT WILLIAMS/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL

This is a great quote from Elvis when introducing the song “That’s All Right“.

Elvis Presley performs what would be his last Memphis concert on July 5, 1976, before a crowd of 12,000 at Mid-South Coliseum. Exactly twenty-two years earlier (7/5/54), Elvis recorded “That’s All Right” at Sam Phillips’ little studio at 706 Union. Introducing the song, he said: “I’ve had some people say – well, you can’t do that song anymore – well, you, by God, just watch me.” (By Barney Sellers / The Commercial Appeal)  Barney Seller

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/01/06/elvis-presley-books-from-elvis-memphis-chips-moman-hometown-sessions/4128498001/

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021

I am sending out my weekly package to Jesse one day early this week.  We have possible bad winter weather in our prediction for Friday.

I still have no news about nor from Jesse so I remain most worried for him.

I also want to add that I am leaving the Messages to Jesse page open so that my visitors may continue to send get-well and other caring messages for me to print off to send to Jesse each week.

SENT TO JESSE THRU THIS POINT

ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 7, 2021

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SUNDAY, JANUARY 10, 2021

Below is a video by The Spa Guy of the Elvis Birthday Proclamation ceremony which took place on Friday, January 8, 2021.

Elvis Birthday Proclamation Jan 8, 2021, Graceland Memphis Tennessee

•Jan 8, 2021

Below is a second video by The Spa Guy filmed in Memphis on the eve of Elvis’ 86th birthday.

Elvis 86th Birthday Festivities & Singing Jan 7th, 2021 Midnight Memphis Tennessee

•Jan 7, 2021

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Below is a new video from the Gates of Graceland series.  Enjoy!!

Gates of Graceland: Elvis’ First Ride

•Jan 8, 2021

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021

Celebrate ‘The King’ with a virtual tour of his estate in Memphis, Tennessee

OT Staff
January 26, 2021

Like millions of other fans, if you too can’t help falling in love with the voice of Elvis Presley, then you are in for a treat. Presley’s Graceland is now offering live virtual tours for fans around the world.

The two-hour guided tour of Presley’s former Memphis home, which has now been turned into a museum, will also include a visit to the Meditation Garden where he is buried. The singer and actor died in Memphis on August 16, 1977.

A grand reveal will take you inside Presley’s famous private jet and a walk through the entertainment complex which houses exhibits and artifacts related to the famous singer. All this for $100 per ticket.

Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Elvis Presley is one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century
Elvis Presley is one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century

Every year, Graceland hosts hundreds of thousands of dedicated fans. This has seen a steep decline in the number of visitors due to the virus and ensuing travel restrictions. Closed for several weeks in the last year, Graceland is now open for limited capacity, in-person tours.

Virtual tours are scheduled for January 27, February 25, and March 25, with more dates coming up soon. More information here.

HTTPS://WWW.OUTLOOKINDIA.COM/OUTLOOKTRAVELLER/TRAVELNEWS/STORY/71111/ELVIS-PRESELYS-GRACELANDS-TOUR-GOES-ONLINE-FOR-A-VIRTUAL-TRIP-FOR-VISITORS

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021

Below is something that I never knew before.  I would have NEVER thought that Harrison Ford could have even come close to being anything like Elvis.

Elvis Presley – film studios tried to make Harrison Ford the next King

ELVIS PRESLEY was an icon for many Hollywood stars over the years – but Harrison Ford wasn’t one of them. When Harrison Ford was staring out in the 1960s the studio gave him a makeover to look like the King of Rock n Roll – and it ended in disaster.

By CALLUM CRUMLISH
During the 1950s and 1960s Elvis was a huge moneymaker for music and film studios.   Harrison Ford has revealed that, years before he was famous, he was given a total makeover in the style of the King. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well for the aspiring star, and he was quickly dropped from his Columbia Pictures contract.

He said: “I did a year and a half and got kicked out for being too difficult.

“I was very unhappy with the process they were engaged with, which was to re-create stars the way it had been done in the Fifties.

“They sent me to get my hair pompadoured like Elvis Presley, photo in hand, all that s**t for $150 a week.”

Elvis Presley harrison fordElvis Presley: Harrison Ford was dressed up as the King (Image: GETTY)

Elvis Presley Elvis Presley: The star was at the height of his fame at the time (Image: GETTY)

Columbia Pictures had the right instincts, as Ford later became an acting icon for his on-and-off-screen charisma.

Ford’s exit from Columbia Pictures came in the 1960s, over a decade before he starred in the original Star Wars trilogy.

Ford wasn’t picked up by George Lucas to star as Han Solo until 1976 – just one year before Elvis died.

During an interview with GQ, Ford explained how he originally got into acting.

He opened up: “I never thought I was going to be anything spectacular. I guess I thought it would be nice if my parents thought I wasn’t a total f**k up.

“That’s when I first considered being an actor for money. I knew I had to go to LA or New York, and quick, as it had begun to snow.

“So I flipped a coin. It came up New York, so I flipped it again so I could go to LA. I wasn’t going to starve and freeze.”

Despite the early disaster, Ford’s acting career overlapped with that of the Kings a couple of times over the years.

In The Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones was brought onto screen whilst Hound Dog was playing in the background.

The most recent time was featured in Blade Runner 2049, when Rick Deckard (Ford) fought Agent K (Ryan Gosling) in the remains of Las Vegas.

During the scene, a hologram of Elvis played intermittently throughout the fight scene.

The scene sees Elvis singing Can’t Help Falling In Love, which is a direct reference to Deckard’s storyline.

https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/music/1389461/elvis-presley-copied-harrison-ford-acting-interview-star-wars-blade-runner-2049

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The below copy of a page from one of Jesse’s letters which he wrote to Dr. Hinton for the book shows his mention of his good friend “Johnny Cash“.  I am providing this to document the diploma which Jesse sent to me and which I have displayed above.

If my memory serves me correctly, Jesse mentioned to me that he and Johnny were friends after August 16, 1977, but I have no written documentation of this.  However, a very good mutual friend of Jesse’s and mine wrote to me last night that Jesse had written to him indicating that he and Johnny Cash were in contact after the date of Elvis’s “death” also. 

“Many years ago, E/J wrote me a few lines about Johnny Cash – implying a continuing friendship after 1977. SO this is a small confirmation that they knew each other AFTER that time.”

The copy of the following letter is from my own copy of the rough draft of the book “The Truth About Elvis Aron Presley – In His Own Words“

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SENT TO JESSE THROUGH THIS POINT

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2021

Below is the latest news about the delayed release of the Elvis biopic movie which has been in the works for a long while.   I probably will not be viewing this movie, after all, as I have gotten the impression that this may be an unfair portrayal of Col. Parker.  If it turns out to be a good account of the real man who Col. Parker was, I may change my mind.

I want to emphasize that in all the years I have known Jesse, he has NEVER once said a single bad word about Col. Parker.  On the contrary, he has always spoken of him with gratitude, appreciation, and respect.  He told me that when Col. Parker died, he did not know what he was going to do.  They were close right up until the time Col. Parker passed away.  We owe a debt of gratitude to Col. Parker for coming up with the plan to fake Elvis’ death so that he could survive and still be with us to this day.

It hurts me when I hear and see people saying words of hate about Col. Parker because I know how much he helped Jesse through all the years until he passed away.  Col. Parker and Dr. Nick both have been badly misportrayed and misunderstood.  Jesse told me that they both took the secret to their graves.

Tom Hanks is playing the part of Col. Parker in the upcoming movie.  Below is an excerpt of an article quoting what Priscilla Presley had to say about Col. Parker.  In this instance, she did speak the truth:

Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, had dinner with their friend Priscilla Presley in the hopes of getting a better take on the man he was playing. Hanks said he was taken aback by her reaction.
“I was expecting to hear stories about the distrust she had for ‘Colonel Tom’ Parker over these many years. And she said, ‘No. He was a wonderful man, and I wish he was alive today. He took really great care of us. He was a scoundrel in his way,'” Hanks said.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tom-hanks-was-surprised-by-priscilla-presleys-feelings-about-elvis-infamous-manager

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Biopic Swivels From November to June 2022

Film stars Tom Hanks as Elvis’ manager Tom Parker

| January 28, 2021 @ 3:10 PM Last Updated: January 28, 2021 @ 3:49 PM

Elvis Presley in the 1968 "Comeback" special

Elvis Presley in the 1968 “Comeback” special / Photo by NBC Universal

Warner Bros. announced on Thursday that Baz Luhrmann’s untitled biopic about Elvis Presley will move from November 2021 to June 3, 2022.

The film stars Austin Butler as Presley and Tom Hanks as the rock star’s manager Colonel Tom Parker, exploring the relationship between star and promoter as Elvis rises to levels of fame never before seen in America in the midst of social and political turmoil. Olivia DeJonge also stars as Presley’s wife, Priscilla. Luhrmann co-wrote the film with Craig Pearce and is co-producing with Catherine Martin, Gail Berman, Patrick McCormick and Schuyler Weiss.

The film was originally set to debut simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max as part of Warner Bros.’ plans for its entire 2021 slate, but it is not yet clear if that release strategy will continue now that the film has moved to next year. Filming on the biopic had been delayed back in March when Hanks tested positive for COVID-19 in Australia, making him one of the first Hollywood stars to be infected with the virus.

Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Biopic Swivels From November to June 2022

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021

This book, which is being worked on, based upon Col. Parker’s letters may be a good book.  I’ll check this one out when it is published.

New “Letters of Colonel Tom Parker” Book: Another confirmation that music writer and Elvis author Peter Guralnick is working on a new book around the “letters” of Colonel Tom Parker. In an interview with Jim Patterson (for chapter16.org) Peter Guralnick said: I’ve started now on a project that initially I wanted to start 20 years ago, which was a collection of Colonel Parker’s letters, which I would select and annotate and introduce. That’s actually becoming a reality.

This will give us a completely different picture of Colonel Parker than most people have because the letters are so eloquent, so witty, also so smart and so to-the-point that they’re just fascinating.

I learnt when I told both Sam Phillips and Col Parker the title of the first volume of my biography of Elvis, “Last Train to Memphis,” Sam got hugely indignant. “So what are you talking about? The last train? There’s going to be lots more trains. This isn’t the last train. You know, the future is looking bright ahead.”

At the time Col Parker said to me, “What are you talking about? We took trains and buses… You know, money doesn’t grow on trees.” So I thought, okay, that’s it. No more revelations along those lines.

Chapter 16

A Community of Tennessee Writers, Readers & Passersby

chapter16.org

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SATURDAY, JANUARY 30, 2021

I am so glad to share with everyone that Jesse did call me for a short visit tonight.  It was wonderful to speak with him and to hear that he is holding his own as he awaits the surgery.  He is having some dizziness which is his only new symptom.  He said that the medication is helping him quite a bit.  He could only stay on the phone for just a few minutes this time.   Hearing from him was such a blessing for me.

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I HAVE JUST CREATED A NEW CURRENT NEWS AND EVENTS PAGE FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY, 2021.

Please visit the below link to the new page:

CURRENT NEWS & EVENTS FEBRUARY, 2021

 

 

COPYRIGHT LINDAHOODSIGMONTRUTHCONTD.COM MAY, 2009 – 2021 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS COPYRIGHT COVERS ALL OF MY ORIGINAL MATERIAL CONTAINED ON EVERY PAGE OF THIS WEBSITE.