Baby, Let's Play House Part 29

Young Gladys, probably late 1940searly 1950s. (Robin Rosaaen Collection) (Robin Rosaaen Collection)

When Vernon was incarcerated at Parchman Penitentiary for forgery, Gladys began a letter-writing campaign seeking parole or pardon. In this letter dated November 25, 1938, she pleads, "I have a little boy three years old. Please send [my husband] home to his wife and baby." (Parchman Penitentiary Archives/Courtesy Roy Turner) (Parchman Penitentiary Archives/Courtesy Roy Turner)

Elvis and Regis Wilson, Humes High senior prom, 1953. (Courtesy of Regis Wilson Vaughn) (Courtesy of Regis Wilson Vaughn)

Wanda Jackson and the Memphis Flash, first meeting, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, 1955. (Courtesy of Wanda Jackson and Wendell Goodman) (Courtesy of Wanda Jackson and Wendell Goodman)

Carolyn Bradshaw during her stint on Hometown Jamboree, Hometown Jamboree, late 1954, just before returning to the Louisiana Hayride and meeting Elvis. late 1954, just before returning to the Louisiana Hayride and meeting Elvis. (Courtesy of Carolyn Bradshaw Shanahan) (Courtesy of Carolyn Bradshaw Shanahan)

Elvis poses with the architects of his Sun career, Sam Phillips and Marion Keisker, in this undated photograph, probably from 1956. (Courtesy of Connie Lauridsen Burk) (Courtesy of Connie Lauridsen Burk)

During his Las Vegas debut in April 1956, Elvis befriended thirteen-year-old Nancy Hebenstreit (now Kozikowski) and posed for a spooky photo booth picture for her at the Last Frontier Village penny arcade. (Courtesy of Nancy Kozikowski) (Courtesy of Nancy Kozikowski)

Maid of Cotton Patricia Cowden (left) (left) and Memphis Cotton Carnival Queen Clare Mallory gave Elvis the royal treatment just before his performance at Ellis Auditorium, May 15, 1956. and Memphis Cotton Carnival Queen Clare Mallory gave Elvis the royal treatment just before his performance at Ellis Auditorium, May 15, 1956. (Robert Williams/the (Robert Williams/the Commercial Appeal Commercial Appeal)

Gladys kept sc.r.a.pbooks of Elvis's early press coverage. Here, mother and son peruse a magazine in the living room of their new home on Audubon Drive, probably spring 1956. (Robin Rosaaen Collection) (Robin Rosaaen Collection)

Elvis's relationship with his young fans crossed brotherly affection with erotic desire. (Paul Lichter's Elvis Photo Archives/elvisunique.com) (Paul Lichter's Elvis Photo Archives/elvisunique.com)

When fourteen-year-old Jackie Rowland and her mother, Marguerite, visited the Presleys on Audubon Drive, July 4, 1956, Elvis treated her more like a girlfriend than an adoring fan. (Copyright Jackie Rowland 1978. All rights reserved) (Copyright Jackie Rowland 1978. All rights reserved)

Elvis and the guys aboard the Aunt Jennie Aunt Jennie with June Juanico, her mother, May, and May's boyfriend, Eddie Bellman, July 1956. with June Juanico, her mother, May, and May's boyfriend, Eddie Bellman, July 1956. (Robin Rosaaen Collection) (Robin Rosaaen Collection)

Elvis, Natalie Wood, and Nick Adams became "almost a threesome, having a lot of fun together," as she put it. They clowned for a Hollywood photographer in September 1956, while taking in a movie. (Robin Rosaaen Collection) (Robin Rosaaen Collection)

In mid-December 1956, on his way to the Louisiana Hayride with film director Hal Kanter, Elvis stopped at the Trio Club in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, to visit with the Browns (from left) (from left), Jim Ed, Maxine, and Bonnie, an early sweetheart. (Courtesy of Maxine Brown) (Courtesy of Maxine Brown)

When Las Vegas showgirl Dottie Harmony came to Memphis for Christmas 1956, it shattered Elvis's relationships with June Juanico and Barbara Hearn. Gladys and Vernon share in the gift giving. (Paul Lichter's Elvis Photo Archives/elvisunique.com) (Paul Lichter's Elvis Photo Archives/elvisunique.com)

Elvis took time on the set of Jailhouse Rock Jailhouse Rock for a coffee break with costars Anne Neyland for a coffee break with costars Anne Neyland (left) (left), whom he dated, and Judy Tyler, MayJune, 1957. (Robin Rosaaen Collection) (Robin Rosaaen Collection)

On the set of Jailhouse Rock, Jailhouse Rock, Elvis became reacquainted with "stripper" Gloria Pall, who had called him a "corny, h.o.r.n.y little hick" in Las Vegas the year before. Elvis became reacquainted with "stripper" Gloria Pall, who had called him a "corny, h.o.r.n.y little hick" in Las Vegas the year before. (Robin Rosaaen Collection) (Robin Rosaaen Collection)

At Sy Devore's Beverly Hills Halloween party, October 31, 1957, Elvis met actress Jeanne Carmen (right) (right), who would later share steamy tales of their romance. He was rarely photographed with alcohol, but here holds a beer. (Earl Leaf, Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Earl Leaf, Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Gladys wipes away a tear as Elvis departs for Fort Chaffee to begin his army life, March 1958. Anita Wood (left) (left) comforts her, as Vernon looks on. There to see Elvis off was Judy Spreckels comforts her, as Vernon looks on. There to see Elvis off was Judy Spreckels (with headscarf) (with headscarf), his double cousin Patsy Presley (middle) (middle), and his aunt, Mrs. Vester Presley. Alan Fortas can be seen at rear left. (Don Cravens, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images) (Don Cravens, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

While Elvis was in Germany, Anita Wood, shown here Christmas shopping in 1958, pursued a television career. The two exchanged a series of emotional letters during his tour of duty overseas. (From the author's collection) (From the author's collection)

Fourteen-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu helps Elvis's grandmother, Minnie Mae Presley, to the car in front of his house in West Germany, March 1960. They would see Elvis off at the plane for his return to the United States. (James Whitmore, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images) (James Whitmore, Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images)

When Elvis addressed the Tennessee state legislature in March 1961, he became smitten with Ann Ellington, daughter of Governor Buford Ellington. They enjoyed a long friendship. (Courtesy of David Troedson/Elvis Australia) (Courtesy of David Troedson/Elvis Australia)

G.I. Blues, Elvis's first post-army film, paired him with actress-dancer Juliet Prowse in May 1960. Elvis found her "one cold chick," but soon warmed her up. Elvis's first post-army film, paired him with actress-dancer Juliet Prowse in May 1960. Elvis found her "one cold chick," but soon warmed her up. (Robin Rosaaen Collection) (Robin Rosaaen Collection)

Joan Blackman, on location with Elvis in the fiftieth state, April 1961. She helped make Blue Hawaii, Blue Hawaii, his first bikini picture, his most popular film. his first bikini picture, his most popular film. (Robin Rosaaen Collection) (Robin Rosaaen Collection)

Priscilla as the well-dressed young lady, Memphis, early 1960s. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)