Today in Elvis Presley History -July 21 1968 - The Elvis Presley movie "Speedway" was premiered at the "Elvis Convention '68." Speedway was originally planned as a film to star Sonny & Cher. However, after their first movie, Good Times flopped at the box office, Columbia sold the rights to MGM, which retooled it for Elvis. Elvis was paid $850,000 plus 50% of the profits. Petula Clark and Annette Funicello were offered the lead female role, but both turned it down. Filming began on 26 June 1967.