As Maile she looked
beautiful in Elvis' arms against the Hawaiian sunset... Since then, Joan
has matured into the movie star from hell... In 1961 Joan Blackman starred
as Maile Duvall opposite Elvis in one of his most successful films, Blue
Hawaii. Not only did the film set the formula for Elvis' films, but it's
probably started the "beach movie" trend started. Then in
1962 Joan again joined forces with Elvis in Kid Galahad a remake of the
Humphrey Bogart classic. Joan plays the sister of Elvis' boss (played by
Gig Young), who disapproves of Elvis dating her. Another interesting
co-star in Kid Galahad is a very young Charles Bronson who plays Elvis'
boxing coach! After
the two Elvis outings, Joan made a few TV appearances, and a couple of
films (notably the cult classic Macon County Line with Max "Jethro of
Beverly Hillbillies" Baer!). In 1985, Joan appeared in Ray
Davies' mini-rock-opera, Return To Waterloo, in which the Kinks' lead
singer-songwriter takes us on a very strange trip indeed! After that, Joan
is pretty scarce! Since then Joan has written a book (of sorts) and was in
Memphis during Elvis Week for a book signing at the Peabody
Hotel... Since my busy schedule could not accommodated my interview
with Joan Blackman, upon my return I asked Rockin Robin to furnish me with
the details... and much to my surprise here is the mouth full I received
in return!
Dear Lea, As far as
Joan Blackman is concerned, I have washed my hands of dealing with her and
promoting her after what she did to me in Memphis and how rude she was to
others while there! Not only
did I give up my entire Elvis Week to shuttle her about driving here and
there (341 miles) but she stiffed me for my backstage pass to the after
concert party at The Pyramid. Joan dumped me at the
concert when she took the backstage pass meant for her the man she shagged
that night and I never heard from her again. Patsy Andersen asked later
what happened to Joan as no one saw her again.
At her book signing she barked orders at me to pass
out her flyers on her books, than accused me of taking some of her book
money and yelled and bitched me out in the lobby of The Peabody
Hotel in front of friends and fans. (Her self
made little books are just excerpts from her autobiography in
progress and certainly not worth the $25.00 a piece that she is
charging as she prints these up herself for next to nothing.)
Joan's
antics have become gossip fodder all over Memphis from what Bill Burk
emailed me. On the night of August 15, Joan, walked out
Candlelight Vigil where she was to be a guest but never showed
up! Again Joan
was invited to Pasty Anderson's Presidents Fan Club Event at
Libertyland. Sad as EPE
had paid all of her expenses to come out via the train, paid her out of
pockets expense and the $900.00 a day suite she had at The Peabody.
In today's mail she returned a beautiful vase that I had given her a few
months back and it was wrapped in an empty used cat litter bag and stuffed
inside a Beer Bottle box, no note or anything.
So I am not
only hurt by her actions where compared to someone like Deborah Wally who
had class. I will not help her make money off the Elvis fans when she
complains about them and having to sign autographs for "free".
Hi
ElvisPresleyNews.com.... I was checking out your Elvis website and
came across your page on Joan Blackman. I am sorry that "Rockin'
Robin" seems to have had a less-than-stellar interaction with Joan
(and I have no idea how long ago that was written), but I for one can tell
you my impression of her couldn't be more opposite. I met her recently (in
fact, I just had dinner with her at a mutual friend's house this evening)
and she was most gracious and very charming. She wasn't the least bit
arrogant or any thing remotely like that. She really seems to me to be a
genuinely kind and humble person. She didn't mind at all when I asked
questions about her acting and singing career as well as her relationships
with Elvis and Sinatra - she spoke fondly and humbly about that time of
her life. It really surprises me that someone could have such a negative
impression of her. Just thought you might like to hear from someone with
another perspective. Cheers, Elvis fan, Nic
June
Juanico | Julie Parrish | Ann
Margret | Anita Wood |
Barbara Leigh | Gloria
Pall
Barbara
Eden | Raquel
Welch | Mary
Ann Mobley | Deborah
Walley | Kathy
Westmoreland
Donna Presley |
Priscilla Presley | Dolores Hart
| Britney
Spears | Elvis'
Granddaughter
