Blue Hawaii (1961) User Reviews

In Hawaii with The King of Rock and Roll

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 28 February 2017]

Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.

While not one of the top three Elvis films, those being 'King Creole', 'Flaming Star' and 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Blue Hawaii' is one of his better overall films. It's proof that his early films were actually pretty good, but unfortunately it was one of his last good ones when the formula started here wore increasingly thin and further suffered from looking less appealing and even the quality of the soundtracks and Elvis' acting wavering significantly.

'Blue Hawaii' could have been better. The formulaic story has occasional draggy spots due to the content not quite being enough to sustain the running time. While most of the soundtrack is great, there is a big difference between the best songs and the weakest, with a couple of songs that don't feel necessary, feel thrown in for the sake of it and are neither catchy or beautiful, particularly "Ito Eats" and "Splicin' Sand". The supporting cast is variable, annoying Jenny Maxwell and dull John Archer coming off worst.

However, Elvis looks natural and is very charismatic, as well as vocally and performance-wise being very much in prime. Personally thought Joan Blackman was appealing, likewise with her chemistry with Elvis, but Roland Winters and particularly Angela Lansbury fare best in support.

Visually, 'Blue Hawaii' is one of the most beautiful-looking Elvis films, along with 'King Creole' and 'Flaming Star'. It's beautifully shot and Hawaii entrances more than it ever has on film. Norman Taurog directs assuredly in by far one of his better outings with Elvis (there were 9 and the first two, the other two being 'GI Blues', are the best).

Most of the soundtrack is simply great, the highlight being the sublime "Can't Help Falling in Love", one of Elvis' most famous songs and it is impossible to not understand why. "No More", "Rock-a-Hula Baby", "Hawaiian Sunset" and "Hawaiian Wedding Song" are honourable mentions. The script is witty and there is enough of the story that amuses and charms.

In conclusion, good Elvis film, one of his better ones without being among his very best. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Can't help falling in love with Elvis

[blanche-2 · 7/10 · 24 June 2005]

Elvis Presley was in great shape when he made "Blue Hawaii," which was a cut above the typical Elvis garbage films that Colonel Tom arranged for him to make later. This is a really fun film with some great numbers. I have always been partial to Rock A Hula - it's exuberant, it's sexy, it's Elvis. This film also features "Can't Help Falling in Love" and the "Hawaiian Wedding Song." Angela Lansbury has a great turn as Elvis' southern mother.

This film, with its big budget and great soundtrack, laid the groundwork for the Elvis movies made later. Unfortunately, as Parker had negotiated a percentage of each film, it didn't take him long to realize that the faster and cheaper they made them, the more money for him and, by extension, Elvis. In fact, later on, the songs done in the films were not specifically written for the particular film - they were simply unreleased songs that were bundled into an album as the movie soundtrack.

But when you see Blue Hawaii, don't dwell on any of that. Just enjoy the scenery and the young, healthy Elvis, with his whole post-Army life ahead of him. All 17 years of it.

Pretty good but...

[ODDBear · 6/10 · 23 April 2004]

While this is an O.K. film is most respects, sadly this turned out to be the route which Elvis's later film followed. Elvis is always likable in films like these, but when you've seen most of his later movies, you find out that they all follow a similar formula and it's hard to distinguish them from one another. Here, Elvis playes the same role as he did in practically every film after this one; a charming, womanising lad who happens to sing well. I should however note that I haven't seen all of his 33 films, but I've seen like 20 or so. Blue Hawaii is fondly remembered because of it's beautiful music and terrific scenery (Hawaii always looks enchanting). It's quite a lovely scene when Elvis sings "Can't help falling in love" to the old lady. Who wouldn't be charmed by that? 6 out of 10.

A Good Film With Great Scenery

[jayraskin1 · 14 November 2011]

Its a little sad that I'm only the second person in 2011 to review this movie. I guess interest in Elvis has really waned in the last few years.

Presley's 28 or so movies are pretty much evenly divided between great, good, fair and poor. This one ranks solidly in the top of the good category. Like "Fun in Acapulco" and "Viva Las Vegas," there's some great scenery, good music, and a plot that holds interest pretty much all the way through.

Cinematography takes top honors. Hawaii has hardly ever looked so good.

Presley interacts well with the natives and does a good job convincing us that he could be a native boy. He seems fit and comfortable with everything and everyone in the movie.

The movie seems more crowded with Presley songs than usual, hardly five minutes goes by before there's another one. Fortunately, they're generally pleasant with an Hawaiian or in one case Jamaican flavor. The song "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" is one of Presley's greatest and unfortunately it is more or less a throwaway here, with Presley singing it to his girlfriend's grandmother more than her.

Definitely a must see for Elvis fans and a watchable one for non-Elvis fans.

I watched this on the day that the writer Hal Kantner died. He created two excellent television shows in the 1960's, "Julia" and "Valentine's Day." He was an excellent and intelligent comedy writer as this film shows.

His best musical

[MichaelMovieLoft · 7/10 · 3 July 2003]

In 1959, Hawaii became recognized as a station in the Union. In 1961, Elvis went there to film the first in his trilogy to Hawaii, Blue Hawaii. I wrote the plot summary, so I won't go through what it is about. I will say that it is the only musical he is really good at because it was the original that was then followed by several imitations...all done by Elvis.

Elvis wanted to be a real actor in a film with bite, but this was as close as he would come. The script is light and fun, the acting is good and there are a few songs that aren't that embarassing to The King. Joan Blackman is great as his girl, Maile (I couldn't picture Juliet Prowse in the role since she looked too strong for the character). Angela Lansbury is hilarious in the role of his mother. She says it was a low point in her career, but in truth the chemistry she has with the rest of the cast is good. It is also full of breathtaking scenery. Even the interiors that were filmed in Hollywood don't look bargain budget.

Sadly, Elvis would make more of the same after this. Viva Las Vegas comes close to the greatness Blue Hawaii had, but Tom Parker didn't care as he just wanted to hear 'cha-ching'. Elvis just wasn't strong enough to say 'no' to Parker. Elvis was better than the movies he was in, and if he did the remake of 'A Star Is Born', that would've changed everything.

Everytime I watch this, I get happy but also sad at the same time. His performance is very good and it makes me wonder what might could have been if he didn't do all those formula films.

Elvis Presley makes Blue Hawaii all go down as passable entertainment

[tavm · 6/10 · 19 November 2020]

This is the first of Elvis Presley's trio of Hawaii movies. It's also his first with Joan Blackman as his leading lady. It's also the only time Angela Lansbury and Roland Winters-a former Charlie Chan-played his parents. And the second time he's directed by Norman Taurog. In summary, Blue Hawaii has Elvis singing many songs including his hit "Can't Help Falling in Love with You", some jealously between his girlfriend and some of the ladies he tours the island with, an unusually lame performance from Ms. Lansbury as a stereotypical Southern matriarch, a pretty amusing one from Howard McNear as Presley and Ms. Blackman's boss, and a thin plot that is extended by all those numbers! I'll just say that this movie was pretty entertaining despite all that....

extra for the music

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 16 July 2021]

Chad Gates (Elvis Presley) has come home to Hawaii after getting out of the Army. He is greeted by his girlfriend Maile Duval (Joan Blackman). He reunites with his surf buddies. His mother Sarah Lee (Angela Lansbury) wants him to take over the family business but he resists.

Before watching any of the his movies, Blue Hawaii would be my guess as the quintessential Elvis movie. The title, the song, and the sunshine are what I envisioned. It's slightly exotic but safely well within middle America. The songs are amazing. Blue Hawaii is already a good song and his Can't Help Falling in Love is an all-timer. The movie has Hawaii and its great locations. It's sunshine and waves. The story is nothing. The romantic chemistry is pedestrian. As a movie, it barely passes but I have to give this extra points for the iconic music.

Blue Hawaii (1961) **

[JoeKarlosi · 5/10 · 30 January 2007]

Elvis is a G.I. returning home to the Hawaiian islands after a 2 year stint in the service, but remains a kid at heart who doesn't want to grow up. His parents would love him to work a sensible job at his father's pineapple business (!) but all Presley wants to do is have a good time, so he becomes a tour guide (ho-hum). G.I. BLUES was fun and, when we consider all Presley's films in production order, it worked well as a romantic comedy on its own. But BLUE HAWAII was really the film that would take Elvis into a silly direction for most of his future movies in the '60s. He doesn't seem as interested as he was in previous roles, and now we also get a heaping helping of corny twangy throwaway Hawaiian songs from "the King", with embarrassing titles like "Ito Eats". One saving grace music-wise is his featured classic tune "Can't Help Falling in Love", but unfortunately it's an abbreviated version and is sung to an old lady. Angela Lansbury puts in a good effort as Presley's flighty mom, but it doesn't help matters any. I do, in fact, enjoy some of Elvis' later goofy 1960s fun flicks for what they are, but this one was just too standard and aimless. ** out of ****

the start of the end for serious Elvis movies

[serpico_usa · 9/10 · 29 December 2004]

While this is one of Elvis' greatest and fun movies it is a great shame that it was so successful, as it ruined the promise of a wonderful movie career for the King. The scenery and songs are unmatched and it is a fairly decent script, even after some sour comments from Angela Lansbury. Ms. Lansbury has constantly degraded this movie but she made a wonderful appearance as Elvis's mother, and I am sure gave her new fans. This movie was also responsible along with Hawaii Five-O as giving tourism to the Islands a big boost, but have the Hawaiian Tourist Bureau ever mentioned this. 40 years on it is still a treat to watch,and still surpasses some of today's so called "hot movies".Due to the popularity of Blue Hawaii El's management told him this was the way to go.Such a shame.

A tutorial on drama

[bwaynef · 7/10 · 27 March 1999]

Drama, as many of my college English instructors have said, is dependent on conflict, of which there are several types: conflict with society; conflict with another person; and conflict with oneself. In that case, is there a better example of drama than "Blue Hawaii"?

Chad, played by Elvis Presley, has just been discharged from the army, but for him the war is only beginning. Like all Presley heroes, Chad wants his independence, to make it on his own. His parents, however, want him to go to work for his father's pineapple business. Chad is torn between the desire to honor his parents and to follow his own dream of freedom. He is also subjected to the wrath of society which demands that the individual suppress all notions of rebellion and toe the line.

What is Chad to do? Can he forfeit his dreams of independence without also forfeiting his happiness? And can he spurn his parents' wishes without forsaking the love of his mother (Angela Lansbury)? It's all very intense. If not for the 12 toe-tapping tunes, watching "Blue Hawaii" would be an emotionally draining experience. (There are 14 songs in all, but the wonderful "Can't Help Falling in Love" and the title tune aren't toe-tappers.) Did you know that another of the songs, "Moonlight Swim," was first recorded by Anthony Perkins (who named one of his sons Elvis)? Go forth and spread the news!

Brian W. Fairbanks

Elvis the Lounge Singer

[JamesHitchcock · 5/10 · 3 September 2010]

After leaving the Army, former G.I. Chad Gates returns to his home in Hawaii, where his wealthy parents want him to go to work at his father's Great Southern Hawaiian Fruit Company. Chad, however, would rather spend his days surfing and hanging out at the beach with his friends and his pretty half-Hawaiian girlfriend Maile (pronounced "Miley"). He realises, however, that he needs to take up some sort of occupation, so he starts as a tour guide at the travel agency where Maile works. His first assignment is to show a schoolmistress and a group of her teenage students around the island and complications ensue when both the teacher, Abigail, and Ellie, one of her pupils, fall for Chad.

It has been said that this film set the tone for Elvis Presley's future film career; a musical romantic comedy featuring pretty locations, prettier girls, mediocre songs and banal plots. Several of his later films would also fit this formula, including his two others set in Hawaii, "Girls! Girls! Girls!" and "Paradise, Hawaiian Style". (Presley did not spend all his time working for the Hawaii tourist board; he was equally ready to offer his services to other prime holiday destinations, hence the likes of "Fun in Acapulco" or "Viva Las Vegas"). None of these films made any great demands on his acting skills, and in "Blue Hawaii" he is (as he often was) so laid-back as to be practically horizontal.

Although Elvis was, in chronological terms, still young (only 26) when he made this film, he was, in career terms, already middle-aged. Gone was the hip-swivelling Elvis the Pelvis of the mid-fifties, the wild young rock-and-roller denounced from pulpits all across America as a danger to the morals of the nation's youth. In his place was Elvis the lounge singer, a younger, better-looking version of Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby, crooning a string of bland, middle-of-the-road easy- listening numbers, in this film often with a vaguely Hawaiian flavour. Only occasionally does he break into anything resembling rock-and-roll. The only memorable song here is his well-known hit "Can't Help Falling in Love", and even that is a gentle romantic ballad, unlikely to be denounced from the pulpit of even the most censorious preacher.

In some of Elvis' films his leading ladies were well-known actresses, such as Ursula Andress in "Fun in Acapulco" or Ann-Margret in "Viva Las Vegas", but here his love interest is the attractive but obscure Joan Blackman. The only other actor of any celebrity in the movie is Angela Lansbury who plays Chad's mother Sarah Lee. Lansbury started her career in the mid forties playing pretty young things, but by the time of "Blue Hawaii" she had settled down into what was to be her normal niche of playing women considerably older than her actual age. (In 1961 she was 36, only ten years older than Elvis himself). She plays Sarah Lee with an exaggerated, stagey southern drawl; the Gates family are supposed to have moved to Hawaii from Georgia, a detail presumably inserted to explain away Elvis' own southern accent, but Sarah Lee ends up speaking with a quite different accent from either her son or her husband. Lansbury later rated her performance here as one of the worst in her career and it is hard to disagree with her.

"Blue Hawaii" was clearly intended as wholesome family entertainment, but there are two points at which it might cause some raising of eyebrows today. The first is the (presumably) unintentional double entendre which occurs when Maile asks Chad whether he can satisfy a teacher and four teenagers. The second comes when Chad picks Ellie up, puts her across his knee and gives her a good spanking. Ellie is, admittedly, an obnoxiously spoilt and sulky little brat, seventeen going on six- it is not hard to see why Chad prefers the more placid Maile- but even so such behaviour would today count as either sexual harassment or criminal assault. Perhaps in the early sixties there was a clause in Hawaiian state law permitting tour guides to administer corporal punishment to unruly teenagers.

My copy of "Blue Hawaii" is a DVD recently given away free as part of a newspaper promotion, which suggests that there must still be a market for this sort of thing, as they are hardly going to give away films that nobody wants to watch. Presumably that market consists of die-hard subjects of King Elvis, especially the older generation who can still remember him in his prime. I suspect that were it not for the presence of the great man "Blue Hawaii" would be just another long-forgotten cheesy sixties beach movie. 5/10

Can't Help Falling In Love With Hawaii

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 4 September 2005]

Blue Hawaii, the title song of this film, was originally from the score of another Paramount film Waikiki Wedding which starred Bing Crosby in 1937. Bing sold a few records of that one, albeit they were 78s back then, and Elvis nicely revives it and sells a few more.

Crosby's film was made to take advantage of a whole lot of publicity he received for a trip to Hawaii. But Paramount as they usually did with his films back they made them on the cheap and Hawaii for Waikiki Wedding was recreated on the back lot.

Bing must have been a little jealous and who could have blamed him when Paramount did this film completely on location in Hawaii for the King. And Elvis got to go back to Hawaii for another film in Paradise, Hawaiian Style.

Elvis got a whole lot of musical numbers here including the title tune which he sings over the opening credits. He does a rockabilly version of the French song Alouette and with different lyrics, the Mexican love ballad, La Paloma. And he borrows a hit from Andy Williams when he reprises the Hawaiian Wedding Song.

Of course no film set in Hawaii is complete without Aloha Oe. But the big song from this film is one of Presley's greatest Can't Help Falling In Love With You. He sings it during a scene for a birthday party for Joan Blackman's grandmother. It's sort of done in a throwaway manner like the producer's didn't think it would be the big number in the film.

It might surprise Presley fans that this blockbuster hit was also recorded by another RCA Victor artist named Perry Como for one of his albums. Perry does a nice job with it, but it ain't a patch on the King's version.

Elvis is a rich young kid who'd like very much to get out from under Mom and Dad and prove himself. He's even done a hitch in the army, but that doesn't help. Parents are played by Roland Winters and Angela Lansbury.

Angela Lansbury recounted a story where she and her husband had dinner with Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis when they were casting Blue Hawaii. She said Elvis was a nice, polite young man who barely said three words during the dinner. The talk was all from Colonel Tom who was making all kinds of offers to the future Jessica Fletcher to be in this film.

Angela's career was somewhat in a dry spell, she hadn't made The Manchurian Candidate yet or appeared on Broadway in Mame. So she was quite willing to appear.

I gained some insight into how Colonel Parker handled Elvis with that story. If you look at the cast and even the behind the camera credits of his films, you'll see them populated with a whole lot of Hollywood veterans. I'll bet there were many such dinners during Elvis's film career.

To be sure Presley was certainly the Colonel's meal ticket. But I would have to say that he made every effort to see that Elvis and his films were given the best possible production values. I think that's why the King had a long sustained film career until public tastes change which they inevitably do. Also musicals, even Elvis's became too cost prohibitive to produce any more.

Blue Hawaii marks the height of Presley's singing and film career. The Beatles hadn't come on the scene yet, the King was still ruling the roost on the record charts and his films were grossing big box office.

And unless your Bing Crosby and feel a twinge of jealousy that his Hawaii film was done on the cheap, you'll like Blue Hawaii very much. It's nice entertainment from a great entertainer.

The beginning of the end to Elvis' serious acting days.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 4 September 2023]

For years, I thought all of Elvis Presley's films were pure fluff...with simple plots, a lot of songs and not much else to them. However, I recently watched all of his early films and was shocked...they were serious films and Elvis seemed like a natural in front of the camera. Don't believe me, try watching "Love Me Tender", "King Creole" or "Wild in the Country"...they are really excellent films and Elvis should have been proud of his work. But later, his films lacked depth and the stories were pretty much unimportant. What was important was him getting the girl and singing...period.

I mention all this because I consider "Blue Hawaii" to be a film that spelled the beginning of the inane period for Presley...films that, frankly, were lazy. Now this does NOT mean "Blue Hawaii" was a bad movie...but it introduced the sort of plot elements that led to movies like "Spinout" (listed in the book "The 50 Worst Movies of All Time" by Harry Medved) and "A Change of Habit"!

The story begins with Chad (Elvis) returning home from a hitch in the Army. He has no interest in going back home to see his parents...and you soon see why, as his mother is a vacuous and over-controlling nut! This is among Angela Lansbury's weakest roles, as her character comes on WAY too strong and is almost a caricature instead of a character. Char's father doesn't do much to discourage her creepy overprotective behavior...and you understand why Chad wants to move out and find his own job instead of going into the family business. So what is his job? He's going to be a tour guide...and that makes him very happy. How does all this turn out? See the film.

"Blue Hawaii" is enjoyable...hence my score of 7. But it also is filled with WAY too many songs in order to capitalize on his musical talent instead of acting talent. There are 14 songs...yes, 14 in the movie!! Earlier ones might feature two or three...and were much more plot-driven. It also gives Elvis little to do when it comes to his character. Yes, Chad is a nice guy...but apart from wanting independence and singing all the time, there's not much more to him. I think the family would have been even better with a few fewer songs and a bit more when it comes to plot. Still...who am I to complain?! The film WAS his most successful movie and the soundtrack sold millions...but it also shortchanged Elvis' ambitions to be taken more seriously.

The Blueprint for Mediocrity

[wes-connors · 4/10 · 18 April 2010]

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

one of his best

[kwbucsfan · 16 August 2001]

This is one of his all time best movies. The plot is great and so is the scenery. Young man who wants to make it oh his own. This movie also has a strong supporting cast with the lat Howard McNear, Joan Blackman playing opposit Elvis and the heralded Angela Lansbury. This was his best musical and second only to Charro! as his best. Unfortunately this movie and GI Blues (both good movies) were so successful that this became the formula.

Elvis sings Bing

[girvsjoint · 6/10 · 4 November 2021]

Blue Hawaii was obviously a partial remake of Paramount's 1937 Bing Crosby movie Waikiki Wedding, with Elvis toning down his more raucous style to channel his inner Bing and do more crooning in order to attract a wider audience, it seemed to have worked, and I must say I prefer the crooning Presley to the screeching one!

He went on to a string of similar style films throughout the 1960's before his movie career petered out and he finished up doing Las Vegas concerts for the remainder of his short life!

Some Good Scenery and a Couple of Good Songs

[Uriah43 · 6/10 · 5 May 2019]

Having just finished a 2-year term of service in Europe for the United States Army, "Chad Gates" (Elvis Presley) has now come back to his home state of Hawaii and wants to pick up exactly where he left off. His girlfriend "Maile Duval" (Joan Blackman) is also anxious to see him again as well. However, even though Chad dearly loves them, he is not nearly as thrilled to see his mother "Sarah Lee Gates" (Angela Lansbury) or his father "Fred Gates" (Roland Winters) as they are much too determined to dictate his future for him-and Maile doesn't fit into Sarah Lee's plans at all. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was a decent "Elvis movie" which had more than its fair share of songs to include a couple of big hits in "Can't Help Falling in Love" and the "Hawaiian Wedding Song". Likewise, having the beautiful scenery of Hawaii in the background certainly didn't hurt this film either. That being said, while it may not be the best Elvis picture ever produced it was certainly enjoyable enough and for that reason, I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.

Lots of Fun on the Beach with Elvis!

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 30 January 2016]

Chad Gates has just gotten out of the Army, and is happy to be back in Hawaii with his surf-board, his beach buddies, and his girlfriend. His father wants him to go to work at the Great Southern Hawaiian Fruit Company, but Chad is reluctant. So Chad goes to work as a tour guide at his girlfriend's agency.

While I can't say I'm a huge Elvis fan, nor have I seen almost any of his movies, I rather enjoyed this one. It is just so laid back and fun. Sure, it makes little sense that he just breaks into song and sounds absolutely perfect. But does it matter? Amovie like this seems perfect or the era that brought us Frankie Avalon and such movies as "Beach Blanket Bingo". They just do not make good beach movies anymore. Heck, do they even make bad ones?

Blue in paradise!

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 17 December 2006]

Fairly weak outing for Elvis Presley, here playing a soldier returning home to Honolulu and fighting with his parents over the direction of his life (seems EP wants to be a guide for tourists, but his folks would rather have him go into the family business--pineapples!). Angela Lansbury, as Elvis' rock 'n-roll-hating mother, is always an asset but doesn't have much of a character to play; she's forgettable this time, as is Joan Blackman, one of Presley's dullest on-screen love-interests. The star himself looks bored, and most of his songs here are mediocre. Very popular in 1961, mostly with Presley-fans who were celebrating his own return from service, also with viewers who never got to Hawaii themselves. ** from ****

Pineapples, Peaches and Pearls!

[CosmicDwellings · 8/10 · 9 April 2001]

The ultimate Elvis Presley musical of the 1960's-and the biggest box office success of his entire Hollywood career. 'Blue Hawaii' is the one that certainly hit the highs with it's blend of comedy, romance, music, scenery and a bevvy of beauties!

This film laid down the blueprint for the majority of Elvis' other 60's musicals that each and every Company, writer, producer and director, tried to recapture and remake time and again. But, artistically, it never quite happened.

The water was tested with Presley's first post-army movie, the critically acclaimed 'G.I. Blues', the year before, that introduced us to the new Elvis look and feel. The family audience were captured by Tom Parker's crafty, but clever, plans to make his boy appeal to a much wider spectrum of tastes and trends. And, 'Blue Hawaii' established firmly which route 'The King's' film career path was going to take.

It is an absolute must-see for a number of things including the fine direction of Norman Taurog and the beautiful Hawaiian paradise that unfolds like a travelogue. But, most importantly we are treated to a more mature Elvis Presley who handles his character's script with notable impressive comic timing when feeding off the intimidating characterisation by Angela Lansbury who plays his domineering mother.

Elvis seemed to gain a lot of enthusiasm and incentive by working with a fine supporting cast e.g. 'Jailhouse Rock', 'King Creole', 'Flaming Star', 'Wild In The Country', and 'Blue Hawaii' is no exception to the rule. The immediate screen chemistry between himself and his beautiful co-star, Joan Blackman, portraying the couple in love, is quite in evidence here and they both play off each other amicably. Although, rumour had it, it was a different ball game off camera.

An Elvis movie wouldn't be an Elvis movie if he didn't chant his way through a number of songs and with 'Blue Hawaii' this culminated in a total of fourteen that made up a soundtrack that was to become one of his biggest selling albums ever. These songs blended the local islands traditional themes('Aloha-oe', 'Ku-u-i-po', 'Island of Love'), with silly production tunes('Ito Eats' and 'Almost Always True') and a taste of the new movie-style rock 'n' roll numbers ('Rock-A-Hula Baby' and 'Slicin' Sand') through to the beautiful ballads that Elvis' remarkably crafted operatic voice of this time, handles with consummate skill and ease ('Blue Hawaii', 'No More' and 'Can't Help Falling In Love'). The film's finale is a cinematic classic and beautifully filmed with Elvis once again in tremendous form with those golden vocal chords-Wonderful!

This film was made at the start of a different era of the Rock music phenomenon, and afterall it was Hollywood, so not all of the Hawaiian flavoured ditties will suite everyone's taste. But, it just went to prove no matter what kind of song Elvis sang and released it would still boost sales to the point of gold record certified!

Elvis' performance as homecoming G.I. turned 'beach bum', Chad Gates, is flawless in this movie and obviously shows us that he has a flair for this kind of comedy setting. The film itself when viewed today is still as fresh and feel-good as it ever was which is more than can be stated of the much later so-called sequel-'Paradise Hawaiian Style' and other such Presley vehicles as 'Girl Happy', 'Tickle Me', 'Harum Scarum', 'Easy Come, Easy Go', 'Double Trouble' and 'Clambake'. All of which try to recreate the 'Blue Hawaii' formula albeit in a bad way with Elvis displaying his acting and singing talents in a mediocre sort of way.

But, finally, for all it's class and high points, 'Blue Hawaii', in the long run, was certainly the 'Kiss of Death' for 'The King', and his acting ability and enthusiasm for the big screen would never be portrayed as consistently ever again.

Elvis Hawaii is FUN

[daoldiges · 7/10 · 1 September 2021]

I'd never seen an Elvis movie before and decided it was about time to check one out, and Blue Hawaii was the one. There was a lot more singing than I was expecting. I mean it is an Elvis movie so I was expecting a few musical numbers but Blue Hawaii has I think 14 of them. They vary in quality but overall they're fun, and enjoyable. The scenery is really beautiful with Hawaii looking like a true island paradise, Edith Head did the costumes, so those add to the visual appeal as well. Of course, I already knew Elvis could sing, but wasn't sure about his acting. I think he does a very fine job, is very likable and easy to watch here, and it makes me wonder what he could do with a meatier script. Angela Lansbury is normally very good but I found her performance as a southern, domineering matriarch very heavy handed and distracting. Joan Blackman does her best and is fine, but playing opposite Presley she's a little flat. The rest of the cast is very good and despite a weak story filled with lots of cliches and awkward moments, I found Elvis and Blue Hawaii enjoyable.

Unwatchable. Just buy his album and go on his instagram

[gfrost7617 · 5/10 · 13 March 2022]

I LOVE Elvis but the Tom Parker did him wrong. If you watch King Creole or perhaps Love Me Tender, he had potential as an actor. Today, so many singers have become actors. All Tom saw were dollar signs. The movies became a vehicle to push his songs. Elvis plays a guy who is supposed to return to his family business but is torn between making it on his own. I don't know how the movie ends because I had an hour to go and just couldn't do it. The scenery was nice and the girls were pretty and Elvis was in his prime but this movie demonstrates part of what lead him down a path to an early death. He couldn't have been pleased having a dead end film career. I'm sure he enjoyed singing but he wanted and deserved so much more.

Woefully underrated ode to Hawaii

[TVholic · 8/10 · 28 April 1999]

There's quite a bit to like about this pleasant if unoriginal musical. Hawaii has never looked better before or since, showcased by beautiful, panoramic shots in this movie. Here, it's a relentlessly wholesome place, a mirror image of the seamy underside shown in "Hawaii Five-O" years later. Tourist-trap "native traditions" are given special attention. Day or night, it's so intoxicating that it almost makes you want to immediately hop a plane to Honolulu or to Kauai, the "island of love."

The soundtrack is quite possibly the best of any Elvis movie, with such gems as "Can't Help Falling In Love," the toe-tapping "Rockahula," "Hawaiian Wedding Song" and an abbreviated but still enjoyable rendition from Elvis of the traditional Hawaiian classic, "Aloha Oe." Unlike virtually every other musical, they never break into song for no good reason. Whether it's to change the subject, serenade a grandmother on her birthday, or liven up a party, there's always a radio or band present rather than having the music come out of nowhere.

Elvis was in top form here - handsome, slim, and boyish. A far cry from the overweight, ostentatious, muttonchopped, rhinestoned, caped and bell-bottomed joke he became a decade later. The rest of the cast was good, with the exception of an over-the-top Angela Lansbury and a cold, unmusical Joan Blackman. Still, the love story was one of the better ones, with the relationship established before the movie opens instead of the ridiculous whirlwind romance of most other Elvis movies.

Watch this on the biggest screen TV to get the feeling you're actually in this Hawaii that never was, at least during the outdoor scenes, not when they retreated to the studio. Better yet, make it a double feature with "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" and you can luxuriate in the Hawaii of 1961, only two years after it had become the 50th state.

Some of the best musical numbers in an Elvis movie. Watched this as a kid when it came out first and enjoy it even more as a senior citizen!

[daswitzer · 7/10 · 21 September 2020]

Colorful and magical! Some of the best musical numbers in an Elvis movie. Enjoyed it as a child when it was first released enjoying it now as a senior citizen just as much if not even more.

The beginning of the real trash

[debbiemathers · 3/10 · 17 April 2022]

Elvis had pretensions to be a serious actor but this movie was the start of the real trash that was served up for him at the height of his fame by his crooked manager. The only aim of these films was to make money which they sure did but they have absolutely zero artistic value, unless it lies in the scenery in this case. Produced and directed by hacks they stink from the beginning of the credits to the end of the last mindless reel.

The story doesn't matter. It is utterly formulaic with Elvis in charge of a bunch of girls all of whom swoon over him. No real chemistry between Elvis and his leading lady. More between him and the bratty girl played by Jenny Maxwell, who ends up over Elvis' knee for a spot of correction, in a scene that would no doubt fail the censors today! Maybe it was permissible in 1961 for a tour guide to spank a wayward teenager but today it would mean a court case! Mind you, I think a few teen girls of the era would have envied Jenny. I know I did!

One decent song here, which is more than can be said for most of the movies. What a pity as the guy had real talent that could've been used in a variety of ways. What a pity he couldn't have got shot of that crook 'Colonel' Parker.