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Steve Murphy does a turn as Elvis, one of the many subjects of South Sound filmmaker John Paget's documentary, "Almost Elvis." The film will be shown Saturday at Capitol Theater.

'Thank you very much': Elvis lives at birthday bash

ROSS RAIHALA, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published Friday, January 4, 2002

OLYMPIA -- Despite the planned presence of fried banana and peanut butter sandwiches, a slimmed-down version of Elvis Presley will storm the stage at the Capitol Theater Saturday night.

It won't be the Elvis up on stage, of course, but a new edit of the locally produced documentary "Almost Elvis: Elvis Impersonators and Their Quest For the Crown."

The screening is part of the "Elvis Birthday Bash 2002," which will also include the aforementioned banana/peanut butter sandwiches the late entertainer legendarily enjoyed, an Elvis costume contest, trivia competition and free birthday cake to honor Elvis, who would have turned 67 on Tuesday.

Las Vegas Champion Elvis Impersonator Steve Sogura, who is featured in "Almost Elvis," will also be on hand for a live performance.

"You don't have to be an Elvis freak to appreciate the film," said director John Paget. "It's a really funny and entertaining look at this very American subculture."

The Olympia-based Paget debuted his documentary for local audiences in 2000. It follows dedicated Elvis lookalikes through daily chores, prep-work and regular performances.

After consulting with several Los Angeles-based producers and filmmakers, Paget re-edited "Almost Elvis" and made a new version of the documentary that has been screened at a handful of film festivals across the country.

Reviews have been mostly positive, with the Chicago Sun-Times calling it: "an up-close, upbeat look at the most dedicated group of Elvis apostles."

The re-edited version of "Almost Elvis" is available on a new DVD version, which will be available at Saturday night's event as well as the Web site www.almostelvis.com.

"We've made it more character-driven and more story- driven," said Paget. "There's less historical background now and we took out the narrator entirely. The old version is more of a History Channel-style documentary, this version is more suited to a theater."

Sogura's live Elvis performance will follow the screening. Paget said he was first aware of the Enumclaw native when he was making "Almost Elvis," but initially didn't plan to include him in the documentary.

"To be honest, I didn't pay a whole of attention to him," Paget said. "I didn't want to include him just because he happened to live nearby."

But Sogura ended up winning an Elvis contest in Las Vegas that Paget was filming. As part of the prize, Sogura landed a place in the Legends in Concert stage show at the Imperial Palace.

"The day after, I was in the office interviewing the head of the 'Legends' show and in walks Steve," said Paget. "He was there to sign a contract and we were there to get it all on film."

Ross Raihala covers music and entertainment for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-754-5406 or OlyRoss@aol.com.

'Elvis Birthday Bash 2002'

- What: Screening of the locally produced documentary "Almost Elvis" followed by a live performance by Las Vegas Champion Elvis Impersonator Steve Sogura.

- When: 8 p.m. Jan. 5.

- Where: Capitol Theater, 206 Fifth Ave. S.E., Olympia.

- Tickets: $8 general, $6 for Olympia Film Society members.

- For information: Call 360-570-5000.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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