This episode, we take inspiration from some articles by our leading contributor, Gary Wells, on his hit website soulrideblog.com. First, we discuss the sequel to the groundbreaking 1973 movie classic, American Graffiti, as we follow the fortunes and misfortunes of our favourite characters in an increasingly troubled 1960s America.

We also learn about an independent film studio and distributor, American International Pictures, which transformed the movie-going audience and carved its own niche in film history as the old Hollywood crumbled around it.

This episode's dedicated webpage has additional background and suggestions for further reference, including a directory to Gary's articles;

https://dec4podcast.com/2025/09/10/gary-wells-double-feature-more-american-graffiti-american-international-pictures/

The very first time Gary Wells‬ joined us back in 2021, we talked about the 1970 MGM concert documentary, Elvis That’s the Way It Is, which we presented as a two-part podcast. We've now combined those two episodes, with some additional content, as an expanded omnibus edit.

It's the summer of 1970, and Elvis is riding a wave of renewed commercial and artistic success; he is once again making some great music, topping the charts, and is already the number one live act in Las Vegas. From a number of different perspectives, Elvis That’s the Way It Is documents the lead-up to Elvis’ third season at the International Hotel, and takes us into the showroom, and backstage, for the first few performances. The director, two-time Oscar winner Denis Sanders, said that, “What we’re trying to do is capture Elvis the entertainer, from the point of view of the fans, the hotel, the city, the audience."

Elvis That's The Way It Is remains a fascinating, eccentric time capsule of Elvis’ career, of a disappearing Hollywood, and of a new business model for Las Vegas hotels and casinos which had undergone a seismic shift transitioning from organised crime to corporate control. We discuss some of the fascinating people that made this unique era what it was, and discover the artists and crew that created a remarkable cinematic moment in time.

Join us for the full edition on your favourite platform or at our podcast website;

https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/22/elvis-thats-the-way-it-is-parts-i-and-ii/

The very first time ‪Gary Wells joined us back in 2021, we talked about the 1970 MGM concert documentary, Elvis That’s the Way It Is, which we presented as a two-part podcast. We've now combined those two episodes, with some additional content, as an expanded omnibus edit.

It's the summer of 1970, and Elvis is riding a wave of renewed commercial and artistic success; he is once again making some great music, topping the charts, and is already the number one live act in Las Vegas. From a number of different perspectives, Elvis That’s the Way It Is documents the lead-up to Elvis’ third season at the International Hotel, and takes us into the showroom, and backstage, for the first few performances. The director, two-time Oscar winner Denis Sanders, said that, “What we’re trying to do is capture Elvis the entertainer, from the point of view of the fans, the hotel, the city, the audience."

Join us for the full episode on your favourite podcast platform or at our website;

https://dec4podcast.com/2023/01/22/elvis-thats-the-way-it-is-parts-i-and-ii/