Sophia Loren visits with Elvis Presley at the Paramount Studios cafeteria while he was making King Creole, February, 1958
Photo by Bob Willoughby
According to Willoughby, Loren spotted 23-year-old Presley eating lunch in the Paramount commissary and decided to go over and introduce herself. Which is to say, she promptly sat in his lap, gave him a kiss and began mussing his carefully sculpted pompadour. He didn't mind.
“I bet you wish they would stop screaming,” said the beautiful Italian actress to Elvis
“Never,” Elvis answered. “And I'll tell you why; they cover up my mistakes. Lots of times when I start reaching for a high note I know I'm not going to make it so I just make some crazy movement and the kids scream and no one knows the difference.”
When she left, Loren told Elvis “I think you are a very nice boy.”
“Thanks a lot!” answered Elvis. “You know that’s the worst thing you can say about me.”