STARS: Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret, Cesare Danova, William Demarest.

STORY

Once I got over saccharine character names like Lucky Jackson (Elvis), Rusty Martin (Ann-Margret), and the wankiness of Lucky being a race car driver in the Las Vegas Grand Prix, I settled down for a light musical experience with a happy ending, and that is what I got. Unashamedly. Feminists beware! The story is essentially a love triangle - two manly guys chasing the one beautiful girl. Who will win? Don’t ask such a stupid question! Didn’t I state that this is an Elvis vehicle? The guy was BORN to serenade a woman, even if she plays hard to get - until his relentless pursuit breaks down her defenses. It’s the age-old method where a club is replaced by a guitar. Still - it’s so groovy - I can’t hate it. I especially like the dancing in this film. Bring it on back I say. It’s only because everyone’s doing it that individuals don’t look like complete fools, although I believe there is something of a revival of this style of dance going on in some Assembly of God meetings to this day. I have to mention the music - I really liked it, especially the playful duet “She Loves Me (But She Doesn’t Know It Yet)”, “What’d I Say?” and “Appreciation”. I would recommend this as decent musical entertainment. The race sequence is well shot, with a couple of scary crashes in (now) vintage sports cars, and any structural engineers out there will dig the shots of Hoover Dam that keep cropping up.

I guess that sugary feel-gooders are Elvis’ celluloid legacy, and studios at the time were astute enough to realise that cashing in on Elvis doesn’t just mean confining him to a recording studio. I’m not sure just how many Elvis movies were made in the 60’s, but I am reviewing four others, and fellow reviewer Ken will be presenting Jailhouse Rock (all due for release in early July) so the bums on seats factor must’ve been significant!

EXTRAS

Only the basics are on offer. Chapter selection, trailer, dubbed language option (French only) and subtitle options (French, Spanish and English for the hearing impaired).

OVERALL

This is a better example of the Elvis musical than some others I have reviewed. It might have something to do with the fact that I have a `thing’ for Las Vegas glitz, not that you see much of it in this film - I was a bit disappointed about that - however the musical numbers are just plain better in this film. Ann-Margret is a funky love interest, and her talents, shall we say, are amply shown off in this. The sets are more colourful, and the outfits are cool. I’m not an Elvis freak, but I specifically asked to review this film as I expected it to be a classic musical of its time. Apart from the title song which I love, it’s groovy, wholesome and easy to like - in that good `ol American way. I’m happy to report that the sound is in DD 5.1. Even though this musical is forty years old, Warner was obviously prepared to spend that bit extra on `digitalising’ the Elvis experience. Fans should rejoice.