March break is almost upon us where many American guys and gals( not us Canadians, well, many of us) will venture to Florida or any beach place to whoop it up. This got me thinking about Sun and beach movies which got me thinking about Elvis the Pelvis who did many films that took time in the sun. Here are 3 that I have seen more than once ( I still have to see Viva Las Vegas!)…
1. BLUE HAWAII-1961
2. GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS-1962
3. FUN IN ACAPULCO-1963
Elvis was intimidated by Ursula’s toned body refusing to take off his shirt when she was in the scene. He was glad to be friends with her but told his staff not to leave him alone with her because , well, it is Ursula undress…Elvis ends up as a lifeguard, dating someone who used to be the girlfriend of another guy. That guy is quite unhappy which culminates in diving off that cliff that could kill him. It’s all fun when you are somewhere hot, near water and enjoying music.
I stuck with his beach and sun flicks but he did make some pretty good movies like King Creole. Have you seen any Elvis films? Are you an Elvis fan?
I never ventured to a beach during spring break. I usually just went home for a visit.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah, the beach. No thank you!
DeleteYeah...never been at a beach during March break, thankfully.
DeleteHi, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteI don't have much time because I need to get to a morning appointment, but I didn't want to miss your tribute to Elvis movies set in warm and sunny locations. In spite of the "jiggle factor," I have watched very few Elvis films from beginning to end. It's a different story with Mrs. Shady's brother, the one from San Diego who just visited us for more than a month. He can't get enough of The King - his movies, his music and his merch. I don't know much about Joan Blackman, the co-star of Blue Hawaii, but I can tell you that I didn't find Stella Stevens or Ursula Undressed very exciting. I suppose my favorite Elvis movie co-stars are Judy Tyler, who was killed in a car crash before her film, JailHouse Rock, was even released, Shelley Fabares, who co-starred in three Elvis movies, Girl Happy, Spinout and Clambake, and Mary Tyler Moore, who played a nun in the final Elvis film, Change Of Habit (1969).
I'm returning to blogland with a new post this Sunday and hope to see your face in my place, dear friend BB!
I will visit, just been busy but I plan to get to your blog.
DeleteYes, there is a jiggle fest and it's at the height of his beachy flicks that were unlike the films you mentioned. His earlier films were better like King Creole and Jailhouse Rock. My uncle was obsessed with Elvis and saw all his films.
Hi Birgit,
ReplyDeleteAll three of these are middle of the road Elvis flicks, nowhere near as good as King Creole but not the horror shows that are Stay Away, Joe and Clambake!
All three benefit from having at least one quality actress (respectively Angela Lansbury, Stella Stevens and Ursula Andress) to put over the often feeble scripts and of course Elvis singing a song or three. Of the trio Blue Hawaii is my favorite but I can't say I revisit any of them with regularity.
I'm an Elvis fan without being a devotee (by that I mean I enjoy his music and most of his films but have zero interest in visiting Graceland or any of the attendant mania that goes along with slavish devotion) though I am incredulous that you haven't seen Viva Las Vegas!!!! As "Elvis" movies go once he slipped into the cookie cutter pattern of pictures it is the ultimate example and has his most simpatico co-star in Ann-Margret. Though it doesn't fit into your beach theme for his, the closest they get to the water is doing a number around the hotel pool.
I think you've picked the best of his beach set flicks but there is still Follow That Dream (which benefitted from having Arthur O'Connell, Joanna Moore and Simon Oakland supporting him), Paradise, Hawaiian Style and the odious Clambake that take place mostly on the sand.
Hi Joel! I hang my head low..yes, I have yet, to see Viva Las Vegas. I know about the behind the scenes stuff but have not seen this movies, yet.
DeleteYes, I agree with you that these are ok flicks but not great like His earlier work. I, too, like his music and I enjoy his movies but have no desire to see Graceland and look at the horriblev70s look. I almost chose the film where the family take root on the beach property. He is one of an ensemble in that movie.
I have seen Blue Hawaii (and Viva Las Vegas), but not the other two. Ever since seeing Priscilla, my regard for Elvis has cooled. Have you seen it?
ReplyDelete(I don't have to travel to get to the beach. The ocean is maybe a 20 minute drive from me--depending which beach I want to see.)
I'm close to a beach too but avoid it on busy days and have never swam in it. It smells funky.
DeleteI have not seen that movie yet but I know she claimed he raped her. He can't fight for himself and I don't know the story to say one way or another but I don't believe everything she says. I do believe he controlled her like dying her hair black. He was not faithful either. I do have to see this movie.
I'm not a Elvis fan, but I'm not NOT an Elvis fan, either. Talented guy, for sure.
ReplyDeleteI love March and the promise of Spring. Even went to Tampa to see Spring Training baseball games a few times. Loved it!
My brother goes, in the summer, to watch the Baltimore Orioles. I like his music and enjoy his films but I don't care to visit Graceland. I don't care to see 1960s and 70s decor.
DeleteI went to Camden Yards last summer to watch the Orioles play the Yankees. It's a very nice park.
DeleteGraceland is foul with 70s decor.
BIRGIT ~
ReplyDeleteLike Al Penwasser above, I'm kind of middle-of-the-road when it comes to Elvis. There is no question whatsoever that Elvis was indeed "The King Of Rock & Roll". From 1956 to 1981, he had 114 Billboard Top 40 hit songs! For comparison, The Beatles had 50, or 51, if a person wants to be generous and count 'Free As A Bird', in 1995, which wasn't truly a "Beatles" original recording.
The only Elvis movies I've seen have been a few of his Westerns because... I like Westerns.
In the 1990 book 'Calamity Cat & Black Cole Kid's Uncomplicated Guide To Western Movies For The Simple-Minded Cowperson', I had the following to say about 3 of E.P.'s Western movies:
LOVE ME TENDER (1956) Grade: D
This movie ain't nothin' but a (hound) dog.
FLAMING STAR (1960) Grade: B-
Actually, it's not bad at all; it even contains some good conflicts to resolve. The problem is just that it is so damned bleak, and with everyone cashing in their chips all over the place, it's difficult to enjoy or care deeply about.
CHARRO (1969) Grade: C-
'Charro' es muy grande el stinko vacquero pelicula.
~ D-FensDogG
Hahaaa...I like your critiques on his westerns. I always laughed at Love me, Tender because no one sang like that in a western. I would chose King Creole if any, to watch. I would also include "Follow That Dream" because, to me, it's more of an ensemble casting he wasn't the main star.
DeleteI haven't seen too many Elvis movies but one I've always liked is Roustabout. And while I've never been a huge fan, I did read a biography on him called The Last Train to Memphis by Peter Guralnick. It was nothing short of outstanding and I'm now more of an Elvis fan than I ever imagined.
ReplyDeleteRoustabout is a good flick and love Barbara Stanwyck in the movie. You should watch King Creole and Follow That Dream which are my favs of his. Do you remember UnclecAmbrose loving Elvis? I remember this so much.
DeleteI think I've seen every movie Elvis starred in, including Flaming Star.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
Hi Birgit - lots of interesting comments for us to look at - I do enjoy hearing him ... but not sure about the movies - but I'm enjoying your selections - cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete