NBC’s 1968 concert film Singer Presents… ELVIS is more commonly known as ‘68 Comeback Special—and with good reason. After spending seven years focused on his movie career and falling out of touch with the musical trends of the day, Elvis Presley’s iconic broadcast put The King back on the map, signaled his return to the live arena, and set the stage for his final #1 hit, 1969’s “Suspicious Minds”.
Nearly 50 years later, the ’68 Comeback Special will be screened in movie theaters across the United States. Most of the screenings are slated for August 16th—the 41st anniversary of Elvis’ death—with repeat screenings set for August 20th.
Rolling Stone reports that the operation is being organized by Authentic Brands Group, which owns Elvis Presley Enterprises, in conjunction with Fathom Events. ABG also manages and/or owns the the brands of numerous other celebrities, including Shaquille O’Neal and Marilyn Manson.
Elvis Presley – “Heartbreak Hotel” (from ’68 Comeback Special)
The owner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Authentic Brands Group–which also owns and manages branding for Marilyn Monroe and Shaquille O’Neal, among others–is arranging the screening with Fathom Events. They have yet to announce the screening times.
“Seeing Elvis onscreen is one of the most memorable and influential brand experiences and we look forward to bringing this special and future events to audiences around the world,” ABG’s senior vice president of entertainment, Marc Rosen, reportedly said in a statement.
Additionally, NBC will celebrate the broadcast’s semicentennial as well with The 50th Anniversary of the Elvis Comeback Special. Scheduled for 2019, the new special will look back at the iconic production, which was the top-rated show of NBC’s 1968-69 season. According to Deadline, The 50th Anniversary of the Elvis Comeback Special will feature rare footage of Elvis Presley and performances by various musical stars, who will recreate parts of the show by performing some of Elvis’ biggest hits.