New documentary looks at Elvis' beginnings

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- "Elvis: Return to Tupelo," a new documentary narrated by singer and actor Kris Kristofferson, is set to air on the Bio Channel next month.

The film traces Presley's life from his birth during the Depression to his move to Memphis to his formative high school years and through his early struggles to establish a music career, representatives for Michael Rose, who produced the film, said in a release.

The 90-minute special concludes with Presley's triumphant homecoming concert in 1956, which took place on the same stage where he'd lost a talent contest 11 years earlier.

"Tupelo" is set to premiere on the Bio Channel, A&E's spinoff of its long running Biography series, Sept. 11.

Rose said he got the idea to make the documentary while shooting a travel program on the Natchez Trace that took his crew through Tupelo.

"While there, we met local historian Roy Turner who introduced us to the fascinating and little known details of Presley's early years. Turner opened up a world that we didn't know existed," Rose said in a statement.

The film includes authentic recordings from the Library of Congress, as well as interviews with old friends, family members, co-workers and other eyewitnesses.