Documentary. Elvis Presley died in 1977. But then a few years later, a performer called Orion appeared on the scene, looking and sounding like the King, except that he always wore a mask. Could Elvis still be alive and in disguise? Director Jeanie Finlay's film reveals the truth behind the Orion myth and how bittersweet the pursuit of fame can be.
In 2013 director Jeanie Finlay impressed with The Great Hip Hop Hoax, a "truth is stranger than fiction" documentary about the secret identity of a Scottish rap duo. Here, the subject is Jimmy Ellis, an Alabama orphan who was unable to launch a singing career despite having a voice just like Elvis Presley's. But with the death of the King in 1977, he was persuaded by wily Sun Records owner Shelby Singleton to adopt the persona of a masked fan-fiction character called Orion. Things then took off as grieving Elvis fans flocked to see if the enigma in a glittery mask was actually the King in disguise. However, this is no simple showbiz fable about an Elvis impersonator on the make. Ellis is a likeable man (as friends and colleagues testify), desperate to be a singer under his own name but trapped by his masked alter ego. The parallels with Elvis are evident (manipulative manager, adoring female fans, adulation followed by career stagnation), only Ellis had neither the wealth nor the legendary status. Finlay delivers a compelling and, at times, revelatory rock 'n' roll story about a cult phenomenon that will provoke sensational speculation long after this fabulous film is over.
| role | name |
|---|---|
| Director | Jeanie Finlay |
