The Frank Sinatra Show
'Welcome Home Elvis' (1960)

On March 26th 1960 Elvis recorded his first filmed appearance following his demobilization from the U.S. Army just three weeks earlier. Travelling by train to Miami, Florida, Elvis was special guest on the ABCTV network Timex-sponsored Frank Sinatra television show. The show was recorded, after rehearsals, in the grand ballroom of Miami Beach's famed Fontainebleau Hotel. Elvis's appearance on the show was arranged during the closing period of his army service, and at a press conference held at Graceland on March 8th Elvis confirmed his imminent participation on the show. Frank Sinatra was to host four Timex-sponsored TV specials during their 1959-1960 season and this Welcome Home Elvis show was the last of that season. Elvis's fee for what amounted to a rather brief appearance (despite the show being built around him and his just-completed army service) was an unprecedented $125,000.

The guests on the show included Sinatra's daughter Nancy (who later became a close friend to Elvis and co-starred with him in 1968's Speedway movie for MGM), Sammy Davis Jnr., Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford. An understandably nervous Elvis first appeared on the show, attired in his full army dress uniform, to be greeted by the cast and join with them in performing (appropriately) Sinatra's It's Nice To Go Travelling. Later, dressed in a tuxedo, Elvis sang both sides of his first post-army single release, namely Stuck on You and Fame and Fortune. On hand to support Elvis - a fact which no doubt provided him with some comfort - were guitarist Scotty Moore, drummer D.J. Fontana and the Jordanaires. Towards the close of the show the inevitable duet with Frank Sinatra took place - following some comedy moments between both stars and guest Joey Bishop. Elvis performed Sinatra's Witchcraft and Ol'Blue Eyes sang his version of Elvis's Love Me Tender. Sinatra extolled the talents of Elvis to quite a degree throughout the show - a far cry from his earlier attack (in the 1950's) on Elvis's music which he had described as `deplorable, a rancid-smelling aphrodisiac'. Elvis had in fact always declared his respect for Sinatra and his music, although his preference in his early years was for Rat Pack member Dean Martin - one of the Sinatra `Clan' missing from this particular show.

Advertising for Timex products was very heavily featured throughout the show and much time was given over to how various changes had affected the country during Elvis's absence in Europe. This thrust provided the set-up for many of the show's songs and choreography routines. On May 12th the programme aired on the ABC-TV network, earning a 41.5% share of the ratings. Elvis's fears of fans losing interest in him after such a lengthy absence from showbusiness were unfounded and his appearance on such an influential show only served to kickstart his career into another incredibly successful phase following his phenomenal rise to prominence in the 1950's.

This information was produced by the Elvis Presley Film Society in February 2004