Elvis! 9-4

We at the American Treasure Tour blog have decided to deviate from our increasingly familiar movie posters today and address one of the most popular entertainers to ever come out of these United States.  Of course, I refer to none other than Elvis Presley.  No quality establishment that sets out to honor Americana would do itself justice if they didn't acknowledge the King, so here we are!  After extensive research, it was determined that September 4th would be an excellent day on which to honor him because it does not reflect any important anniversaries.

This photograph of a young Elvis may have been taken in the town where he was born on January 8th, 1935 - East Tupelo, Mississippi.  Born into poverty, Elvis' love of music and skills as a musician became his ticket to wealth, fame, and fulfillment of the American Dream.  Elvis' music proved - and remains - extremely popular, while critical opinions of his movies vary widely.  Elvis starred in thirty-one feature films during his career, all but one (Wild in the Country) earning a profit, before his untimely death in 1977 at the age of 42.  His impact on American music and culture can not be accurately measured, and he remains the best-selling deceased artist of all time in the United States. And yes, artwork and images associated with Elvis liberally adorn the walls of the American Treasure Tour.

Question:

Which of the following Halls of Fame have never inducted Elvis Presley as a member?

a)  Martial Arts 

b)  Country Music

c)  Gospel Music

d)  Rhythm and Blues Music

e)  Rockabilly Music

Today in History

In 1781, forty-four Spaniards settled the desert in their California colony and named their new community El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora La Reina de Los Angeles de Porziuncola, translated as The Village of Our Lady, the Queen of the Angels of Porziuncola, eventually abbreviated as Los Angeles.

Only one hundred and seven years after L.A. was founded, New York entrepreneur George Eastman registered the trademark for the name "Kodak," as well as the patent for his camera that used roll film.

The Kodak Company filed for bankruptcy last year, and declared that they were terminating production of their digital cameras, pocket video cameras, and digital picture frames.  They were concentrating on the corporate digital imaging market.

Births

On this date in 1803, future first lady Sarah Childress  was born the daughter of a prominent land speculator, planter and merchant.  She lived among the patrician society of North Carolina, then Tennessee, and married James K. Polk when she was twenty years old, and eight years his junior. 

As first lady for the 11th president's one term in office, Sarah proved charming and gracious, although she banned liquor and dancing at official receptions.  Polk's death only three months after he left office plunged Sarah into widowhood.  Given an annual stipend by the government to help her maintain her standard of living, Sarah remained unmarried for her final forty-two years.  Hers remains the longest-standing retirement and widowhood of any former first lady.

Edward Dmytryk was born in 1908 on the same day.  Canadian by birth, he emigrated to the United States to become a film director.  His best-regarded early films included the film noir greats Crossfire and Murder, My Sweet, prior to his involvement in the highly controversial Red Scare of the late-1940s and the 1950s, led by Wisconsin Senator Joseph McCarthyand his House Committee on Un-American Activities.  Dmytryk initially refused to testify and was sent to jail as one of the Hollywood Ten, prior to appearing again for a second hearing, during which he confessed to his own Communist background and named others from the organization.  He was able to resume his directing career and made films into the 1970s.

Quote:

Ambition is a dream with a V-8 engine.  -- Elvis Pressley

Answer:  d)