Just two years earlier, in 1956, Elvis had stormed the music charts and the big screen in an amazing double whammy. His first single, Heartbreak Hotel, reached No. 1 on the charts and was quickly followed that year by his first film, Love Me Tender. This was followed by three more Hollywood musicals, Loving You, Jailhouse Rock, and Kid Creole, buoyed by his talent, good looks, and amazing (for the time) physique. At the same time, Sophia Loren was also causing a stir among American audiences with her exotic looks and European sexuality. What happened when the two sexiest people in the world met?
At the time, Elvis was only 23 years old and was preparing to leave the United States for two years to complete his mandatory military service in Germany. He was dating Hollywood star Anita Wood, whom he would later leave for Priscilla Beaulieu, but throughout his life—whether in a relationship, married or not—King constantly flirted with any pretty woman who crossed his path.
In February 1958, Elvis was portraying Kid Creole on the set of a Paramount movie when he spotted Sophia. Years later, I described how it got started.
Scroll down to see the photos and watch Sophia Loren talk about her time with Elvis
The studio photographer who captured the moment, Bob Willoughby, also described in detail, including the kiss and revealing conversation afterwards.
“I immediately sat down on his lap, kissed him, and began to wiggle his carefully sculpted pompadour. He didn’t mind,” Willoughby said. Sophia later explained her actions: “It’s Naples (in me)”.
But the matter did not stop with kissing and flirting, as Elvis unexpectedly opened up to the Italian star.
Scroll down to see Sophia’s next Elvis talk
Sophia appears to reassure him, “Elvis I think you’re a very sweet boy,” and King jokingly replies, “Thank you very much! You know that’s the worst thing you could say about me.”
It all started to look a little messy when Elvis told the photographer and the crowd, “You know, I’ve seen every picture I’ve ever taken. You’ve only seen one of my own.”
Despite this, Sofia insisted, she spontaneously went in to talk to Elvis, and he certainly had the speed and charm to turn any situation into a crowd pleaser, even after revealing something very personal.
The following month, in March 1958, Elvis left for military service where he met Priscilla in 1960.
Sophia, herself, had major complications in her private life. She was having an affair with Carlo Ponti, the man who would become her husband but he was married to another woman at the time. During 1957 and 1958, Sophia also became involved with her co-star Cary Grant, who was also married but offered to leave his wife Betsy Drake for her.
Elvis married Priscilla, but they separated in 1972 and divorced the following year.
Sophia Loren stars in Operation CROSSBOW on BBC2, Sunday, February 12th at 1.55pm
[ad_2]
