A lot happened in 1977. Jimmy Carter became the 39th President of the United States. The New York City Blackout lasted for 25 straight hours in July of that year. NASA launched the Voyager missions. A little movie called Star Wars premiered. And on August 16, Elvis Presley passed away. But did he see Star Wars? I was driving in to work this morning listening to one of the local radio morning programs, and they mentioned that today marked the anniversary of the King's funeral. And the first thought that crossed my mind was "I wonder if he'd had the chance to see Star Wars? Or would he even have wanted to see Star Wars?" From the media coverage of the big E, I'd think he would have loved films, not just making them, but also watching flicks. He did have a theatre room at Graceland. I admit perhaps living here in Vegas resulted in the comment on the radio this morning hitting a little close to home. Or perhaps because my buddy Chad and his new wife Tandis (congratulations!) were united in Holy matrimoney by E at Cupid's Wedding Chapel downtown on the strip last Sunday (I'll throw up a link once the video is online so everyone can check it out :\)

So, I had to google 'Elvis' and 'Star Wars' to see if the mighty internet could answer my questions. Of course we all know of a connection right off, because many of us have spotted Elvis in a crowd at numerous sci-fi and comic book conventions; some even managing to chat with the apparition. If you haven't attended a major con in a few years, then you'll want to check out updates from the Elvis Trooper http://www.elvistrooper.com.

I am a little suspicious of the "lost" footage of Elvis appearing in the original trilogy http://www.bloggerheads.com/photoshopping/photoshopping_elvis_star_wars.htm.

And you can't find an online retailer who doesn't stock Star Wars standees without having Elvis and Marilyn Monroe on hand.

However, I couldn't find anything saying Elvis had seen Star Wars before his death. In addition to my career goal of finding archaeological evidence for the prehistoric Native American manufacture of cheese in the greater Southwest, I will also pursue all leads to information confirming or denying Elvis' chance to see Star Wars during those few short months that were the summer of '77...