Editing Elvis Presley (section)

=== Hollywood and the 1960s ===

Following his discharge, Presley pursued the film career Colonel Parker had been steering him toward. Between 1960 and 1969, he starred in thirty-one films — largely lightweight musical comedies including ''Blue Hawaii'' (1961), ''Viva Las Vegas'' (1964), and ''Girl Happy'' (1965). The accompanying soundtrack albums were commercially successful but increasingly formulaic, and Presley grew frustrated with the work.

During this period his recording output diverged sharply from the creative innovation of his Sun years. Exceptions included the gospel album ''His Hand in Mine'' (1960), ''How Great Thou Art'' (1967) — which won a [[Grammy Award]] — and scattered singles of genuine quality such as ''Suspicious Minds'' and ''In the Ghetto'' (both 1969).