I was 17 when I wrote this review back in 1992 for The Elvis Beat #2, my official Elvis Presley Fan Club newsletter.

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Elvis: The Lost Performances (Turner Home Entertainment), starring Elvis Presley, directed by Patrick Michael Murphy, released June 24, 1992.

“There was a guy who said one time . . . he said, ‘You never stood in that man’s shoes or saw things through his eyes. Or stood and watched with helpless hands while the heart inside you dies. So help your brother along the way, no matter where he starts. For the same God that made you made him, too – these men with broken hearts.’ I’d like to sing a slong along the same line,” Elvis finishes his beautiful speech and the band breaks into “Walk A Mile In My Shoes.”

Elvis: The Lost Performances is by far the best Elvis video ever. Hours of unseen footage from Elvis: That’s The Way It Is (1970) and Elvis On Tour (1972) were rescued from an MGM vault in Kansas, an abandoned salt mine. From this footage, one hour was chosen for The Lost Performances.

Part one gives the viewer a front-row seat at Elvis’ August 1970 engagement at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. These are the most spectacular parts of this video, allowing fans to relive the excitement, or perhaps experience it for the first time. This is Elvis at his best.

The next segment gives a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse of Elvis in rehearsal for the aforementioned concerts. These clips demonstrate Elvis’ magnificent personality and sense of humor. Also of interest, Elvis sings several 1950s songs which have never been released in 1970s versions.

Finally, the clock turns to 1972 and Elvis is spotlighted on tour in Hampton, Virginia, and Greensboro, North Caroline. The highlights of this part are Elvis singing “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and “How Great Thou Art.”

A lot of effort was made to produce this video, and it shows. Turner Entertainment Company and Elvis Presley Enterprises are to be commended for their dedication to releasing “pure” Elvis on this video; the songs have not been cut and there is no annoying narration. It’s just Elvis, and that’s all his fans ever wanted.

This video really shows “the great performances” and no fan should be without it.

Songs:

1. “Introduction/Walk A Mile In My Shoes”
2. “The Wonder Of You”
3. “Don’t Cry Daddy/In The Ghetto”
4. “There Goes My Everything”
5. “Make The World Go Away”
6. “Just Pretend”
7. “Heartbreak Hotel”
8. “Twenty Days And Twenty Nights”
9. “Love Me”
10. “Hound Dog”
11. “Don’t Be Cruel”
12. “I Washed My Hands In Muddy Water”
13. “I Was The One”
14. “The Cattle Call”
15. “Baby, Let’s Play House”
16. “Don’t”
17. “Money Honey”
18. “All Shook Up”
19. “Teddy Bear/Don’t Be Cruel”
20. “Are You Lonesome Tonight”
21. “I Can’t Stop Loving You”
22. “How Great Thou Art”
23. “Release Me”
24. “I Can’t Stop Loving You”

Rating: 10 out of 10