Netflix’s new Elvis Presley documentary The Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presleychronicles Presley’s 1968 comeback special, but also reveals a surprising detail about Presley’s perception of one of his most famous nicknames. Compared to other films and documentaries about the life of Elvis Presley, Return of the King is much more focused on this specific performance and the impact it had on his career than on Presley’s personal life. This distinguishes it from recent films like Elvis (2022) and Priscilla (2023).
However, Return of the King provides some insight into Presley’s life and career outside of this show, such as Presley’s time in the army and the many films in which Presley appeared. This includes the early days of his career when he made a name for himself dancing in ways that many found scandalous and suggestive. Return of the King also reveals Presley’s own perception of the nickname he earned because of those dance moves– and it’s a slightly sad irony.
What Elvis had to say about “Elvis The Pelvis”
This nickname was certainly not chosen by Presley for himself
Presley’s singing and dancing are recognized around the world now, but when he began his musical career in 1954, he captivated and scandalized audiences with his gyrating and dancing moves, which many considered overtly sexual. In Return of the KingBruce Springsteen specifically comments on “open sexuality” of Presley’s appearance, highlighting the way he styled his hair and the fact that he was a man in makeup in 1956 in particular. For many, however, it was the way Presley moved her body while singing that really caught their attention, for better or worse.
When he began his musical career in 1954, he captivated and scandalized the public with his spinning and dancing movements.
In Return of the KingPresley can be heard in voiceover discussing the nickname “Elvis the Pelvis” which quickly became popular in newspapers across the country due to the way Elvis danced on stage. Appearing resigned to his fate, Presley says:
“I don’t like being called Elvis the Pelvis. It’s one of the most childish expressions I’ve ever heard from an adult, Elvis the Pelvis, but if you want to call me that, there’s nothing I can do about it. , so I just have to accept it.”
This response to the nickname is somewhat surprising given how well-known the name was and remains to this day, but That is precisely the irony Return of the King reveals about the so-called Elvis the Pelvis.
Why Elvis’ Nickname Was So Meaningful
Even though Presley didn’t like the name, it’s part of what made him famous
It’s understandable that Presley didn’t like the nickname Elvis the Pelvis. On the one hand, this was something that many used as a way to belittle Presley’s behavior and argue that it was too unsuitable to be shown on television. On the other hand, Presley evidently didn’t intend the movements to be suggestive, so this nickname only promoted a narrative about his acting style that he felt was inaccurate. The irony is that this opinion of Presley’s dancing and the associated nickname were precisely what made Presley so famous..
Much of Presley’s fan base, especially early in his career, consisted of young women — so much so that there was a national conversation about discouraging teenage girls from falling in love with him. Those dance moves were part of what set him apart and made him so endearing to that demographic, and that nickname helped give him staying power. While The Return of the King: The Fall and Rise of Elvis Presley reveals that Elvis Presley didn’t like the nickname Elvis the Pelvis, it’s clear that the name and its message helped him rise to fame.