Description:

Elvis Presley
[Hollywood, California], February 9-10, 1961
Elvis Presley 20th C. Fox "Wild in the Country" Employee's Starting Card and Closing Notice, Filming for Alternate Ending!
Ephemera
Two remarkable pieces of ephemera related to Elvis Presley (1935-1977) in his starring role in his seventh feature length film, "Wild in the Country," a musical drama produced by Twentieth Century Fox released in mid-June 1961. The "Employee's Starting Card" and "Employees [sic] Closing Notice" are dated February 9, 1961 and February 10, 1961 respectively. N.p. but almost certainly Hollywood, California. Partly printed, partly typed, and partly manuscript on pale blue paper. Bearing numerous hand-stamps, dockets, annotations, and studio officials' initials. Each has two clerical perforations near the top edge, else near fine. 6" x 4." Ex-Collection of Steve Forbes.

In the movie "Wild in the Country," based on a 1958 novel by J.R. Salamanca, Elvis Presley played Glenn Tyler, a troubled youth with aspirations to be a writer who is sentenced to seek psychiatric counseling. Presley played opposite costar Hope Lange as therapist Irene Sperry. Originally, Lange's character is falsely accused of having a romantic relationship with her patient, Tyler, and commits suicide, but this ending was panned by preview audiences. Principal photography had taken place between November 1960 and January 1961, but Presley returned to Hollywood after February 6, 1961 to complete a happier alternate ending in which Sperry sends Tyler off to college.

The cards list the star's name as "Elvis Presley," and his Position or Occupation as "Cast - 'Glenn,'" referring to Presley's character's name in the picture. The Picture No. or Department is listed as F 16, with director's name Philip Dunne appearing on the starting card. Presley's pro rated salary is listed as $25,000 per week, or the equivalent of just over $262,000 in 2024 currency. The memorandum section on the Closing Notice reads "Added scenes completed," referring to the re-shooting of the movie ending. Presley's entire fee for "Wild in the Country" was reported to be $300,000, or $3.1 million in today's money. Presley's three associated movie tracks also enjoyed considerable commercial success.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Provenance: Ex-Collection of Steve Forbes.
  • Dimensions: 6" x 4"
  • Medium: Ephemera

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June 26, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
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