This movie was part of a deal that 'Colonel Tom Parker' signed for Elvis Presley with NBC and National General. Elvis was paid a large sum for doing both the well-known NBC TV Special (now called The '68 Comeback special) and this picture for National General Pictures. The TV special was shot at the end of June 1968 (and aired in December) and the film was shot in July and August 1968 (and was released early 1969). The TV show was supposed to be a Christmas Special with Xmas songs only but turned to be a rock 'n' roll revival show while the movie, on the contrary, was supposed to be much more violent.