Elvis Presley's last movie theater visit, just four days before his death at 42, was to see The Spy Who Loved Me. The James Bond film will be broadcast on ITV1 this Sunday afternoon at 2:05pm.
Elvis's Final Cinema Trip
On August 12, 1977, Elvis wanted to watch the new sci-fi hit Star Wars with his nine-year-old daughter, Lisa Marie. Unable to get a copy, he asked his Memphis Mafia to find the new Bond movie instead. He then drove Lisa Marie and his last girlfriend, Ginger Alden, to the Southbrook Theatre, just south of Graceland.
His step-brother, Billy Stanley, was part of his inner circle and shared memories of those late-night cinema outings. In a video interview with Elvis expert Spa Guy, Billy recalled how he would pick up film copies for Elvis, as the movies were often in transit through Memphis.
Elvis's Cinema Rituals
Elvis would enter through the back entrance, where his Memphis Mafia had prepared his seat and snacks. Billy described how Elvis preferred to sit dead center in the middle of the room. His snacks included water, Pepsi, popcorn, sweet tarts, and peanut butter fingers, served on a silver tray. He also had a stand-up ashtray for his cigars.
Billy remembered that Elvis would talk during slow parts of the movie but stay quiet during action scenes. The Memphis Mafia sat behind him, ready to fetch anything he wanted from the lobby.
