ELVIS CONTRACT FACTS (by Jeff Schrembs 2013 All Rights Reserved):

Contract # 1 – Paramount on April 25, 1956

Elvis’ first move contract was for a “1 picture deal” with the option for “6 more”. Elvis received $15,000 for the first movie, $20,000 for the second, $25,000 for the third, and increasing to a maximum of $100,000 for the seventh. The Colonel negotiated a provision that allowed Elvis to star, with another studio, for “1 picture per year”. The movies were entitled “Loving You (1957) and King Creole (1958)”. In January 1957 the Colonel renegotiated a $ 50,000.00 bonus, due to the box office success, for Loving You. Nine months later, in November, the Colonel renegotiated successfully for Elvis to receive $30,000 in expenses as well as another $50,000 bonus for King Creole.

Contract # 2 – 20th Century Fox August 1956

The Colonel negotiated a contract which Elvis received $100,000. Elvis would also be “billed” as “co-starring”, in the movie promos and on the movie theatres marquees, otherwise known as “second billing”. Additionally it gave Fox an option for a “2 picture deal” with Elvis to receive the sums of $150,000 and $200,000 respectfully. The Colonel renegotiated in October 1958 for Elvis to receive an increased fee, for the option on the “2 picture deal”, of $200,000 and $250,000. The movies were entitled “Flaming Star (1960) and Wild in the Country (1961)”.

Contract # 3 – Metro Goldwyn Mayer February 1957

The Colonel exerted his right, under the terms of the Paramount contract, to reach an agreement with MGM on a “1 picture deal”. Elvis received $ 250,000.00. The movie was entitled “Jailhouse Rock (1957)”. Worth noting is that the Colonel negotiated a provision, which was previously unheard of in Hollywood, for Elvis to receive 50% of the movie profits.

Contract # 4 – Paramount October 1958

The Colonel renegotiated the 1956 contract so that Elvis received $175,000 along with an option for a “3 picture deal” where Elvis would be paid; $125,000, $150,000, and $175,000. The movie was entitled “G.I. Blues (1960)”.

Contract # 5 – United Artists November 1960

Colonel Parker negotiated a “2 picture deal” and Elvis received $500,000 and 50% of the profits. The movies were entitled “Follow That Dream (1961) and Kid Galahad (1962)”.

Contract # 6 – Paramount January 1961

The Colonel renegotiated the 1958 contract so that Elvis received $175,000 for the first “3 pictures” and $200,000 each for the “last 2 pictures”. This “5 picture deal” included the movies entitled “Blue Hawaii (1960) which would be Elvis most successful motion picture, Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962), Fun in Acapulco (1963), Roustabout (1964), and Paradise Hawaiian Style (1966)”. The Colonel renegotiated for Elvis to receive a bonus of $90,000, which the Colonel would receive $45,000.00, for “Paradise Hawaiian Style”.

Contract # 7 – MGM January 1961

The Colonel further enhanced his negotiation skills, after finishing the “5 picture deal” with Paramount, for a “4 picture deal” with MGM. Elvis would receive $400,000 per picture plus $75,000 for expenses and $25,000 for musical expenses. The Colonel included a provision that once MGM recouped $500,000 then Elvis would receive 50% of the profits. The movies were entitled “It Happened At the World’s Fair (1963), Viva Las Vegas (1963), Kissin’ Cousins (1964), and Girl Happy (1965)”.

Contract # 8 – Allied Artists November 1963

Colonel Parker negotiated a “1 picture deal” and Elvis received $600,000 plus $150,000 for expenses and 50% of the profits. The movie was entitled “Tickle Me”.

Contract # 9 – United Artists December 1964

Colonel Parker negotiated a “2 picture deal” with Elvis being paid $650,000 each. The movies were entitled “Frankie and Johnny (1966) and Clambake (1967)”.

Contract # 10 – MGM December 1964

Parker negotiated another “3 picture deal” with MGM. Elvis was to receive a total compensation of one million dollars for the first movie paid out (a) with a lump sum of $ 750,000.00 and (b) the remaining balance of $ 250,000.00 paid out over the course of (5) five years at $ 1,000.00 per week. Additionally, Elvis received 40% of the profits. The movies were entitled “Harum Scarum (1965), Spinout (1966), and Double Trouble (1967)”.

Contract # 11 – MGM January 1966

MGM and the Colonel agreed to extend the 1964 contract for a “4 picture deal”. Elvis received $850,000 per picture and 50% of the profits. The 4 movies were entitled “Speedway (1967), Stay Away, Joe (1968), Live a Little, Love a Little (1968), and The Trouble With Girls (1968)”.

Contract # 12 – Paramount April 1966

The Colonel entered into negotiations with Hal Wallis about a new contract for Elvis. Elvis received $500,000 per picture and with 20% of the profits. They negotiated for over 6 months before coming to terms which included the provision for a “1 picture deal” with no options for another. The movie was entitled “Easy Come, Easy Go (1967)”.

Contract # 13 – National General November 1967

The Colonel worked out an agreement with National General for a “1 picture deal”. Elvis would receive $850,000 and 50% of the profits. In response to Elvis’ demand this movie, “Charro!” (1969) would not include any singing, by Elvis, other than the title song.

Contract # 14 – NBC/Universal January 12, 1968

NBC Vice President Tom Sarnoff announced a deal with Colonel Parker for Elvis to have a “Christmas Television Special” sponsored by the Singer Sewing Company. Fortunately this infamous TV Special of 1968 would be Elvis performing before a live audience and reclaiming his throne as the “King of Rock and Roll” and the “King of Entertainment”. The deal included provisions for Elvis to make a movie with NBC’s subsidiary company Universal Studios. Elvis received $850,000 for the movie entitled “Change of Habit (1969)” and another $25,000 for the music in the film.

Contract # 15 – MGM April 1970

Colonel Parker worked out a deal with MGM for Elvis’ first “live onstage documentary” . The setting would be of Elvis Las Vegas Concerts. Elvis was paid $500,000. The movie was entitled “Elvis That’s the Way It Is” and was released in November 1970.

Contract #16 – MGM March 1972

Just a month prior to Elvis’s 15 city tour in April 1972 the Colonel put together a deal with MGM for another documentary. Elvis reportedly received $1 million for his thirty-third and final motion picture entitled “Elvis on Tour”.