21st September 1956, Friday

[Graeme]

Day number 7928Site Date Map

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[Alan]

NICK ADAMS: As we left the Beverly Wilshire Hotel the night we were leaving for Memphis, they were having a premiere across the street of Lust For Life. The fans were outside the theatre waiting for the show to break so that they could see their favourite stars. As we walked out of the hotel to get in the car and head for the airport, a few kids spotted Elvis and, before we could get in the car, there were more people gathering around than I could count. In about four minutes the word circulated and, while Elvis was signing autographs for the people who had blocked the car, all the people in front of the theatre left the bleachers and mobbed Elvis. It was sort of a funny sight to see everyone gathering around Elvis and, for the first time in Hollywood history, when a premiere was let out there weren’t very many people in front to cheer their favourite stars because they were all across the street getting autographs from Elvis. Elvis felt really bad about the premiere, but what could he do?
Finally, we made the airport and boarded the plane after Elvis signed a couple of hundred autographs. We spotted Rocky Marciano and Elvis went up to him and told him how much he admired him. They talked for about ten minutes and then we had to go. Everyone on the plane was asleep except Elvis. He was so excited about going home that he couldn’t sleep.[But he did manage 40 winks on the Dallas to Memphis flight]
      
The gala premiere of Lust For Life that Nick mentions took place at the Fox Beverly Theatre on this day at 8:30pm
      

Beverly Wilshire Hotel (as seen in Pretty Woman)	Fox Beverly Theatre (since demolished) Became the Montage Hotel, then the Maybourne Hotel
Lust For Life starring Kirk Douglas	Map showing both respective locations

      

Signing an autograph at airport check in

      
An original photo of Elvis signing an autopgraph for Rocky Marciano at the airport came up for auction on Friday July 20th 2020. It appears it never sold. Maybe the world had other things on it's mind at the time.
      

Auction House photo front

Auction House photo back

Alternate photo of the meeting

      
https://rockhurstauctions.com/photo_of_ ... t3426.aspx
      

Lot #86: Photo of Elvis Presley Signing an Autograph for Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano on September 23, 1956, at the Airport After Wrapping on Love Me Tender
      
Description
On September 23, 1956, Elvis Presley, actor Nick Adams, and Elvis' cousin Gene Smith take a flight home from Los Angeles to Memphis. Elvis checks in for his flight as "Clint Reno," his character's name from Love Me Tender which he has just finished filming. If that little ruse worked, it would surely never work again once the film came out!) There's an often seen image of Elvis and Nick Adams "boxing" with each other in front of a large American Airlines sign taken before the flight. Maybe you've seen it. The reason for this, it turns out, is the offered photo, which we're sure you haven't seen. It captures Elvis signing autographs for a pilot and the Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano. Incredible. Marciano had only retired a few months earlier in April of 1956 after the conclusion of his legendary 49-0 career. It was known from contemporary accounts that the boys had met the champ that day, but now we have the proof! Written on the reverse is "Rocky Marciano and Elvis at airport." The photo measures 4 x 4 inches and presents in immaculate condition. Near Mint to Mint condition.

      

Nick and Elvis sparring after Elvis met Rocky Marciano

With Nick Adam's brother Andrew Adamshock (Thanks PP!)

[Private Presley]

Elvis and Andrew Adamshock, brother of Nick Adams