Friday, Aug. 01, 2008

Grapevine Pays Homage to 'The King’

By Brandon P. Murray

Contributing Writer

Elvis Presley fans will soon have the opportunity to "hail to the King," by watching two classic Elvis films at the Palace Theatre in Grapevine.

The film King Creole will be shown at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 8, and Viva Las Vegas will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, said Lisa McCowan, spokeswoman for Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau.

"We decided to do [the screenings] in August because it commemorates the anniversary of Elvis’ death," McCowan said.

Presley died Aug. 16, 1977, at his Memphis home, Graceland. He was 42.

"For a lot of us, this is the first time we’re able to see Elvis on the big screen, so it’s a real great treat for those who have not seen it [the films], or those who just want to reminisce," McCowan said.

Tickets are $7.50. "But if you come [to a screening] with a same-day receipt from any Grapevine restaurant," McCowan said, "we’ll take $2.50 off, for a $5 admission."

Several Elvis impersonators will on hand to greet the audience on Aug. 8 as part of the King Creole screening, McCowan said.

"It’s just a lot of fun for the entire family, just to get away for the evening — to go back in time to the 1960s and enjoy a great movie by the King," McCowan said.

For more information, visit the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site at GrapevineTexasUSA.com, or call 817-410-3585.