Unearthed Elvis Presley Footage: A Glimpse into the King’s 1956 New York Visit
In a remarkable discovery, Fox Five has uncovered never-before-seen footage of Elvis Presley from October 1956, capturing a pivotal moment in the King of Rock and Roll’s meteoric rise to fame. This silent, two-minute clip, found in the digitized Fox Movietone archives, offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Elvis Presley filming a new ending for his debut movie, Love Me Tender, in New York City. As Elvis Presley would have turned 90 in 2025, this exclusive find, detailed by reporter Robert Moses, brings fresh insight into his life, his professionalism, and his enduring connection with fans.
A Hometown Hero’s Journey to Stardom
In September 1956, Elvis Presley returned to his birthplace of Tupelo, Mississippi, greeted by throngs of excited fans. The young star, nearing the peak of his ascent, was already a cultural phenomenon. Just a month later, on October 29, 1956, he was in New York City, not for a concert but to reshoot a critical scene for Love Me Tender, his first foray into acting. The newly discovered footage, unearthed by Fox Five’s managing editor Peter Fazzini and producer Max Weisskopf, captures this moment, providing a window into Elvis Presley’s early Hollywood career.
The clip’s slate reveals key details: the date, October 29, 1956, and the director, Robert Webb. A quick historical check confirms that Elvis Presley was in New York to film a revised ending for Love Me Tender. The original ending, where Elvis Presley’s character dies, sparked outrage among teenage fans during previews. To soften the blow, producers added a scene featuring the “ghost” of Elvis Presley singing the film’s title song, a decision that shaped the footage found in the archives.
Pinpointing the Location: A Manhattan Treasure
The silent footage not only shows Elvis Presley on set but also follows him as he steps outside to greet adoring fans. This moment proved crucial in identifying the filming location. Fazzini, struck by the familiarity of the building’s exterior, realized it was an old carriage house on East 69th Street, between Third and Lexington Avenues—just two blocks from Fox Five’s television station. Once home to Juniko Studios, this unassuming Manhattan spot hosted a significant chapter in Elvis Presley’s career.
Brooklyn College film professor Foster Hirsch, author of Hollywood and the Movies of the 50s, underscores the clip’s historical value. Having seen Love Me Tender at 13, Hirsch recalls the pandemonium of its opening weekend, when fans’ shrieks drowned out the dialogue. The added ending, captured in the footage, was a strategic move to appease devastated audiences, ensuring Elvis Presley’s cinematic debut left fans satisfied.
A Priceless Find: Insights from Graceland
To gauge the significance of this discovery, Fox Five turned to Angie Marchese, Vice President of Archives and Exhibitions at Elvis Presley’s Graceland. A lifelong Elvis expert who began working at Graceland at 17, Marchese describes the footage as “priceless.” She notes its rarity, especially nearly 50 years after Elvis Presley’s death in 1977. The clip, showing Elvis Presley interacting with director Robert Webb, taking direction, and engaging with fans, reveals his professionalism and humility.
Marchese highlights Elvis Presley’s dedication to his craft and his fans. Rather than waving from a window, he steps outside to sign autographs and pose for pictures, a testament to his gratitude. “He never forgot who made it possible for him to buy that beautiful mansion in Memphis,” she says. Graceland, which houses 1.5 million Elvis Presley artifacts, plans to incorporate this clip into its exhibits, enriching the narrative of his legacy for the 23 million visitors who have made the pilgrimage.
Elvis Presley’s Whirlwind New York Visit
The footage contextualizes a busy period in Elvis Presley’s life. On October 28, 1956, the day before the Love Me Tendershoot, he appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, a cultural milestone. During this appearance, Elvis Presley performed and, more notably, received the polio vaccine on live television. David Rose, a historical consultant for the March of Dimes, explains the impact: “You can’t rock and roll with polio” was the campaign’s tagline, and Elvis Presley’s public vaccination galvanized teens to get vaccinated, advancing the fight against the disease.
By spring 1957, just months after his New York visit, Elvis Presley purchased Graceland, cementing his status as a superstar. The unearthed footage, capturing a fleeting moment from this transformative year, underscores his rapid rise and multifaceted influence, from music and film to public health advocacy.
A Mother’s Tears and a Lasting Legacy
The Love Me Tender ending held personal significance for Elvis Presley. Professor Hirsch shares a poignant anecdote: when Elvis Presley took his mother, Gladys, to a private screening of the film, she wept at his character’s death. Moved by her reaction, Elvis Presley stipulated in future movie contracts that his characters would never die on screen. This condition, born from a son’s love, ensured “no one makes Elvis’s mama cry,” adding a heartfelt layer to the footage’s context.
This two-minute clip, discovered by chance, reveals more than just a moment in Elvis Presley’s career. It showcases his work ethic, his bond with fans, and the cultural weight of his actions. As Graceland prepares to share this find with the world, it reaffirms Elvis Presley’s enduring relevance, nearly seven decades after he redefined rock and roll. From a Manhattan studio to the hearts of millions, the King’s legacy continues to captivate.