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North Carolina Drive-Ins Yum-Yum Eat Up Elvis

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Spend the night with Elvis! Lots wished they could, here at least a partial fulfillment. So much of him had accumulated by the mid-60's, and all, it seemed, could still be had from busy film exchanges. Ours in Charlotte kept Presley in constant circulation, theatres and drive-ins always wanting him back, so long as terms were fair (as in cheap). That's how I got to see my favorite of his, Tickle Me, at least twice at the Liberty. The Albemarle Rd.Drive-In, just outside Charlotte, was site of feast above, and how they must have chowed on burgers, dogs, steak sandwiches, the lot as tendered at concession huts like full-blown cafeterias. Being "All In Color" meant something to then viewers --- it showed up better especially on outdoor screens. I like how Girls! Girls! Girls! is pushed harder as "Return To Sender." That was the pic's sole hit tune, but a whale of one that played non-stop on transistors every kid carried. I'll bet the Albemarle Rd. booked the whole show for less than $100, then took in --- who knows how much? Elvis really was a gold stash back then.

Further proof comes courtesy of Greensboro's long-ago ad for double-up of Kissin' Cousins with Your Cheatin' Heart, both our then-idea of classics that would live forever. I'll not forget Kissin' Cousinswhen new at the Liberty. We drove past from church on opening day and saw lines run the entire block to circle around our local bank for a 1:00 show. Many of these would be turned away, but back to try again at 3:00. Elvis was rural and so was this story setting, result biggest yokel biz for a Presley since his early ones. Kissin' Cousins was said to have been shot "in the Great Smokies," but Sam Katzman produced, so I'm not so sure about that. Your Cheatin' Heart was the sad but ultimately uplift story of Hank Williams as done by George Hamilton. It was pure socko around here. Theatres couldn't get prints after a first couple years, a complaint MGM loudly heard from NC showmen who wanted more like this and less like Ryan's Daughter. The South Drive-In for this event had a "New, Giant screen." Let's hope they expanded the lot too for this blockbuster meet of the "King Of Swing" with the "King Of Country."