According to Mike Stoller who wrote music for Elvis Presley, the King wanted to be a more serious actor, but his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, held him back.
Presley longed to be a serious actor but Parker, who adopted the title "Colonel," did nothing to help him, Stoller said.
"Unfortunately, the Colonel had the golden goose and he wanted him to keep cranking it out," Stoller said.
Presley starred in 31 movies between 1956 and 1969, each a work only Elvis fans could love.
Parker apparently took 50% of Elvis' income, rather than the standard 10-20%.
This week marks the 26th anniversary of Elvis' death. Memorials will be held at Graceland, as is the case every year.
The week's highlight is a candlelight procession past Presley's grave in a garden beside Graceland. Beginning on the night of the 15th and running into the next day, it often draws 15,000 to 20,000 fans.
Approximately 4,000 people are expected to tour Graceland every day this week.
