Collingwood is rolling out the red carpet for three people who worked with and for Elvis Presley to celebrate the silver anniversary of the Collingwood Elvis Festival this weekend.
The festival hosts thousands of Elvis fans each July and has also invited family and friends of the man himself, giving people a unique and personal perspective on the idol they're celebrating.
Visiting VIPs this year include Hollywood actresses Cynthia Pepper, who co-starred with Presley in Kissin’ Cousins, and Marlyn Mason, who co-starred with him in The Trouble With Girls, plus the king's head of security, Sam Thompson.
All are return guests to the festival.
Festival VIP liaison Kathleen Denike says having people who were close to Elvis provides fans with an extra bonus.
“It gives them the pleasure of meeting someone who actually knew Elvis and worked with him and travelled with him," she said. "They get to hear true stories of what life was like then.
"The guests are all totally approachable," Denike added. "It leaves most fans awestruck.”
Among this year’s return guests is Pepper, who appeared in countless 1960s television series including Margie, My Three Sons, Perry Mason, and The Addams Family. She also made a cameo appearance with Sandra Bullock in the 2000 film Miss Congeniality.
But Pepper's claim to fame this weekend is her 1964 role in Kissin’ Cousins, in which Elvis played look-a-like cousins.
“I got a call from my agent on a Friday, who said Elvis had seen me in another show and thought I might be right for this role," Pepper told BarrieToday in a phone interview from her Las Vegas home. "We had never met. I don’t even know what program he saw, but I was working a lot at that time.
"If I could get to MGM and fit into the army uniform, the role was mine," she added. "And by Monday, I was in a movie with Elvis Presley.”
Filming lasted three weeks and included Elvis singing a song to her character.
“I just remember those blue eyes and thinking 'Elvis is singing to me',” Pepper recalled.
Of all the questions she gets, though, there are two that stand out.
“Fans always want to know if Elvis was a good kisser. The answer is yes! He had soft lips and he smelled like Brut cologne," Pepper said. "I liked kissing him so much, I managed to mess something up that required about eight takes of that scene.
"The second question is if he and I were romantically involved," she said. "That one I prefer not to answer.”
As for what she wants to impart on the fans, Pepper says its important they know what a wonderful man he was.
“Everyone knew him differently, but I can tell you he had a wonderful heart. He was beautiful to look at and was incredibly talented, but it was more than that," she said. "He was humble and insecure. He was special, but unaware of his impact."
Presley's death in 1977 was news the world over.
"He asked me if I thought he would be remembered. Here we are in 2019," Pepper said. "The fact people love and remember him so intensely is a testament to him.”
Pepper says she's looking forward to this weekend.
“This is my fourth visit to Collingwood and I just love it," she said. "It's like going home to see friends.”
Fans can meet the trio at various events, including storytelling events at the Festival Main Stage, the Saturday Classic Car Parade, at Eddie Bush Arena both Saturday and Sunday, as well as at The Last Hurrah final party, also inside the downtown arena.
All will also spend time meeting fans each afternoon at the VIP booth on Hurontario Street.
For more information, visit the website.
