(In the event that your problem hasn't been resolved......)
In short, set that CENTER value to a non-zero value that will put it on the other side of the view-grid you're working against.
Example: From the side view, make the CENTER X value negative (even just a little if you want. That will push it 'behind' the SIDE view grid, which is centered at X=zero. If your IMAGE PLANE CENTER X value is less than zero, it will be 'behind' the grid)
(Details follow, if you haven't rushed back to Maya already 
)
The image plane loads in at zero on whatever axis it is facing.
So, for a default SIDE view, the plane is in YZ, and facing along +X.
This plane is located at 0, so it will occlude anything in negative X-space
(including the grid, it would seem, which is at zero on the global axes).
1: Selecting the image plane:
In the SIDE view, for our example, choose
VIEW > IMAGE PLANE > IMAGE PLANE ATTRIBUTES > [your imageplane]
2: Moving the image plane outta the way:
In the attribute editor for the image plane, go to
Placement Extras > CENTER.
Here, you can TRANSLATE the image plane 'out of the way'.
In our case, applying a negative X value will push it 'behind' any geometry we want to see in the SIDE view (that occupies positive X).
Also, drop the ALPHA GAIN on the image Plane's attributes to clear the view a little more. (though, in your case, you've said it gives your video card indigestion....)
Hope this helps someone out there. Drove me crazy at first.
wes
