Everyone wants the dish on the royal family, and America’s most beloved king may be the King of Rock and Roll.

“Elvis by the Presleys” is the story of Elvis Presley as presented by his former wife, Priscilla, daughter Lisa Marie and other family and friends. Viewers may be attracted by the celebrity of family alone, while Elvis fanatics and music lovers should be tempted by the program’s use of “never-before-seen” performances and home movies.

As suggested in the “by the Presleys” portion of the title, “Elvis” is a sentimental glance at a man whose loved ones recall him as tender (as in “Love Me”) and giving. From the recollections by Priscilla’s father, Paul Beaulieu, on giving his daughter her first Elvis record and later granting the 14-year-old permission to date the rock star, the program dwells on the magic of the King’s personality.

Interviews with those close to Elvis are woven with images, both from home movies and familiar public appearances, of his singular smile and swagger. The musical accompaniment to the interviews matches Elvis’ songs with discussions ranging from his spirituality to his vulnerability.

“Elvis” isn’t so sentimental that it ignores the bad times in the entertainer’s life, but viewers must accept the filtered version of his troubles. Priscilla, Lisa Marie, Elvis’ friend Jerry Schilling and Elvis’ cousin Patsy Presley Geranen offer their interpretations of why the King turned to drugs (he was a frustrated artist) and how he was forced to do bad movies by Col. Parker (he wanted to fulfill his contractual obligations). Priscilla even offers a fairly soft view of the couple’s divorce, explaining her need to develop her own life separate from that of her larger-than-life husband.

If viewers can accept hearing Elvis’ tale as told by the members of his circle, they will enjoy this celebration of music’s original showman. And barring all sentimentality, the images of an incredible life and the sweeping musical accompaniment are reminders of what made Elvis Presley royal – to his loved ones and to the world. (Judy Long, BDN Staff)