Red Elvis: The Cold War Cowboy

I had never heard of Dean Reed, so this was all new to me.

He really is an example where a social conscious, activism and naivety can lead down a very rocky path to an almost inevitable conclusion.

If you end up alienated by both sides in the Cold War, where is there left to go?

According to Webster's Dictionary a Useful Idiot is: "a naive or credulous person who can be manipulated or exploited to advance a cause or political agenda" Dean certainly fit the bill and provides a sad real life example of what happens when people of limited talent and ability delude themselves into believing they are destined for greatness. There doesn't appear to be much evidence of a conspiracy or intrigue, only the tragic end for a man at the end of his career and life. Perhaps instead of trying to portray Dean as an Idealist, it would have been a better Documentary if he had be more accurately depicted as a Narcissist who continued to put his quest for fame above his friends, family, and country.