Elvis: Colonel Tom Parker’s Biographer Debunks Key Plotlines
Colonel Tom Parker's biographer details parts of Elvis' plot that are not true. The film follows the titular character, played by Austin Butler, as well as his long-time manager, Parker (played by Tom Hanks). The film is directed by Baz Luhrmann, who's known for bringing a fresh and explosive style to adapting well known stories. This often includes mixing modern music with films that are set during various periods in the past, a trend that he continues with Elvis.
Alanna Nash wrote a biography of Parker titled, The Colonel: The Extraordinary Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley, and subsequently became a source of authority on Parker. Luhrmann did not read the book himself in preparation for the film, although he says that he read notes from researchers of both Nash's book and several other books regarding Presley. Parker was born in the Netherlands and was a carnival worker before he illegally emigrated to the United States, and entered the music promotion scene.
Related: Elvis: The Controversy Behind Colonel Tom Parker Explained
Now, Nash speaks with Variety about how accurately Parker is portrayed in Elvis. Nash points out that one event from the film she views as false is Parker having his citizenship status threatened by secret governmental forces who wanted Presley to tame his performances in order to not corrupt the youth of America. Another part of the film which Nash claims isn't true is when Presley fires Parker on stage after Parker demands repayment from Presley for various expenses over the years. Nash says that although Presley and Parker got into a heated argument after a performance in 1974—which included Presley threatening to fire Parker and Parker threatening to quit—that neither of these
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