Blago to Defend Elvis

By Rob Christopher in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 7, 2009 5:20PM

Another one for the You Can't Make This Stuff Up File. Columbia College's Cinema Slapdown series (a film screening followed by a pro/con debate between two participants) has included some pretty choice movies. Showgirls was quite memorable, but on December 16 things will be taken to a whole new level with Viva Las Vegas. In a stroke of genius, the Elvis Presley/Ann-Margret musical will be defended by no less than Rod Blagojevich himself. His opponent? Film & Video faculty member Dan (“Elvis has left the building!”) Rybicky. It's Elvis' gaudiest movie (duh) and includes a mesmerizing bit where Ann-Marget sheds an enormous fur coat to reveal ... well, we don't want to spoil the surprise.

The evening takes place at 7 pm at Film Row Cinema (1104 S. Wabash, 8th Floor) and is free & open to all. We'd recommend getting there early. Oh--and after the debate the college bookstore will host a sale and signing of Blago's book The Governor. Because heaven knows the man could use some cash.

Let us be the first to make the obvious joke: wouldn't Jailhouse Rock have been a better choice? Either way, there's no beating Blago actually singing the King. If you can stomach it, there's video below (the actual singing starts around 1:50 in).