get me memphis, tennessee...an update

get me memphis, tennessee...an update   

 

 

   It was a trip to Memphis in August of 1980 that launched a company called B & K Enterprises in Charlestown, Indiana in the southeast part of the state.  The owners, Butch and Kim Polston, went to Elvis Presley's hometown for a memorabilia and collectibles show on the anniversary of the singer's death.  

  While they were in Memphis, an Elvis tribute artist came by their room at a Days Inn and saw four costumes on display that Butch had hand sewn in an effort to replicate the costumes worn by Elvis.  He said he created the costumes...for the fun of it... and had no other valuable items or merchandise to sell.  The performer paid $2,000 on the spot ($6,600 today) for the four costumes and B & K Enterprises was born.

  Butch told me in our initial interview back in September of last year about the costumes he was asked to make for an upcoming movie about Elvis and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.  He said Covid interrupted and he didn't know the status of the film starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks.

  Last June, the movie was finally released and I knew Butch and Kim were a huge part of what I saw on screen.  It was time for an update and to revisit....get me memphis, tennessee.   

  Butch, this wasn't the first movie you've done that focused on Elvis, correct?

  No, it wasn't, he agreed.  The ones we've done in the past dealt with Elvis-like characters like 3,000 miles from Graceland.  It had five big name stars in it including two A-listers.  We also did Michael Sheehan's Elvis and Nixon.  

  I thought Austin Butler did a great job in this movie.  At times, it was hard to tell it wasn't Elvis on the screen.

  Yes, Austin did a fantastic job.  I think throughout all the Elvis genre movies, Butler has been about the best.  

  What's the story behind Austin Butler getting the role of Elvis?  

   That came about because Denzel Washington called the director of the film, Baz Luhrmann, and, told him Butler is the perfect Elvis, he informed me.  

  So, Washington and Butler knew each other. 

  Yes, they had recently worked together and Denzel had heard about Luhrmann's upcoming Elvis film, he answered   It was strange because Washington and Luhrmann didn't even know each other.  But, when Baz met Austin, he walked away and said, This is the kid, this is Elvis.  

  Let's go back to how you first became involved with Baz Luhrmann and his wife and this project.  

  Well, Catherine Martin, Baz's wife, was in charge of costumes, he replied.  Catherine was actually who hired us.  She designed all the costumes for The Great Gatsby which Baz directed and she has won a couple Academy Awards.  

  Take me through the first contact.  How did that happen.  

  Baz had an office behind Graceland when he was researching Elvis life, Butch said.  Catherine would bring their kids to Memphis and they would hang out.  Catherine went to Graceland several times to see the various costumes Elvis wore and she and Baz would discuss which costume Butler should wear in each scene.  

  How did Catherine happen to call you to get B & K involved?

  One day while she was in Memphis, she walked across the street from Graceland to the museum when she saw our name tags in the back of some of our costumes on display, he recalled.  She asked someone about it and was told we have the exclusive rights to produce all Elvis stage apparel.    

   Did she call you at that time?

  She did, he responded.  She called Kim and explained who she was and all that, then she asked us if we would like to be included.  Kim said we would be honored to be a part of the movie.  Catherine came to see us and she knew exactly what she wanted in every scene.  She knew the costumes she wanted, she even knew how she wanted the costumes to be worn.    

  How many costumes did you produce for the movie?

  We made 30 different ones, he smiled.  There were really more costumes than you saw in the movie.  I've been told Baz is going to release another version of stuff that wasn't in the movie.  Plus, we did a few for other performers who wanted to try out for the part, but, of course, Butler got the role.  

  Did you finish all of the costumes before Covid? 

  No, we didn't as a matter of fact, he recalled.  We started making them before Covid and got about three-quarters of the way finished.  We had to lay off all of our employees during Covid.  Kim and I took all of our machines home and finished the costumes at home and sent them to Hollywood.  

  I hear before Covid a lot.  That's the new BC.  2018 BC.  Before Covid.  I saw in the credits that B & K was listed by itself.  That was cool.  

  Here's how that works, he answered.  They form a production company and name a head designer.  Catherine was the natural choice since she's Baz's wife.  It's then up to her to make the costumes, or, find someone to do it.  Fortunately, she found us.

  The last scene that actually showed Elvis was dramatic and really sad.  

  It was, he concurred.  It was heartbreaking and a really emotional scene.  We made that costume for Austin too.   

  You also said in our first interview B & K has produced costumes for a lot of other movies.

  We have, he confirmed.  We've made costumes and clothing for about 30 or 31 movies over the years and lots of TV shows and TV stars.  

  What about down the road?  Anything in the pipeline that's not the norm? 

  We're working on two projects now, he said proudly.  I can't really discuss them because of a confidentiality agreement, but they are Elvis themed movies.  Then, four weeks ago, we were contacted by Dancing with the Stars.  They are planning an Elvis themed show and we're loaning them a lot of our displays that will be in the background on stage.  

  Continued success to you and Kim.  I appreciate what you have accomplished.  

  Thanks, Steve. 

  Coming up:  what’s up with telephone conversations on speakers in public places for all to hear; meet another job$ somebody's gotta do; more Encore Performances of POS (people over 60), and; another oddities, observations & omg's. 

  And, finally.  As I continued my granddaughter's driving lessons and she was adjusting mirrors and her seat while starting the car using a fob,  I couldn't help but think about things she will never know about in a car.  

  Consider:  ash trays, cigarette lighters, side vent windows, door key locks, a second key to start the car, metal bumpers, AM radio as the only medium available, a button on the driver's side floor near the brake pedal to push for bright lights, seat covers, or, a crank to roll the windows up or down. 

  HUH?  What's up with that?