Fresh out of the U.S. Army, singing and guitar-strumming Elvis Presley (as Chadwick "Chad" Gates) returns to his Hawaiian island home, and pretty sweetheart Joan Blackman (as Maile Duval). "On you, wet is my favorite color," Mr. Presley tells Ms. Blackman, but he is tempted by other beautiful women in bathing suits. Presley also resists settling down as heir to his family's pineapple business, much to the chagrin of mother Angela Lansbury (as Sarah Lee). Ms. Lansbury cries, "What did I do wrong?"
Blowing all previous Presley pictures out of the water at the box office, "Blue Hawaii" pretty much set the stage for the "Elvis travelogue" movie, unfortunately. It isn't the best of the lot, but the combination of the lush locales and Hawaiian-flavored soundtrack has an undeniably intoxicating effect. It's positively sleep-inducing.
The soundtrack spent a whopping twenty weeks at #1 on the charts. Classic single "Can't Help Falling in Love" / "Rock-a-Hula Baby" hit #1 around the world. Though not a single in America, "No More" followed it to #1 in a few areas, also. Presley's rendition of "Hawaiian Wedding Song" and the title track are classics in their own way. It's too bad all the financial success didn't embolden anyone to take a few more chances with Presley as an actor - although, to be fair, he looks neither willing nor able herein.
**** Blue Hawaii (11/22/61) Norman Taurog ~ Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Roland Winters
Blowing all previous Presley pictures out of the water at the box office, "Blue Hawaii" pretty much set the stage for the "Elvis travelogue" movie, unfortunately. It isn't the best of the lot, but the combination of the lush locales and Hawaiian-flavored soundtrack has an undeniably intoxicating effect. It's positively sleep-inducing.
The soundtrack spent a whopping twenty weeks at #1 on the charts. Classic single "Can't Help Falling in Love" / "Rock-a-Hula Baby" hit #1 around the world. Though not a single in America, "No More" followed it to #1 in a few areas, also. Presley's rendition of "Hawaiian Wedding Song" and the title track are classics in their own way. It's too bad all the financial success didn't embolden anyone to take a few more chances with Presley as an actor - although, to be fair, he looks neither willing nor able herein.
**** Blue Hawaii (11/22/61) Norman Taurog ~ Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Roland Winters