The Elvis Presley Tribune | Movies 1965

Girl Happy
Released: 1965 MGM Pictures Available on VHS *Fun Fact: Elvis' favorite co-star, Shelly Fabares, was cast in this, her first of three Presley pictures.* ------------------------------------------------------------ Girl Happy has some great songs and it also had a very successful sound-track. Rusty Wells (Elvis) and his band quit the nightclub where they work for a vacation in Fort Lauderdale, but end up being forced to look after their gangster boss' daughter who is staying at the same resort. At first she seems like a plain Jane, but soon reveals her true charms and Elvis and the boys have to come up with plenty of schemes to keep the local Romeos away from her and keep the boss happy.
Tickle Me
Released: 1965 Allied Artist Available on VHS Fun Fact: this movie was such a small budget that the soundtrack consisted of songs from earlier Nashville Sessions, beginning in 1961. The voice, you could tell, was a younger Elvis. ------------------------------------------------------------ Elvis plays a singing rodeo cowboy with a second job as a handyman at a beauty spa where all the women compete for his attentions but he only has eyes for Jocelyn Lane. The second half of the movie has the two lovers searching for treasure in a haunted house. The film contains some slapstick comedy which is a rare chance to see Elvis' talent for comedy. Musical highlights are "Dirty, Dirty Feeling" and "Night Rider".
Harum Scarum
Released: 1965 MGM Pictures Available on VHS & DVD Fun Fact: this was by far Elvis' worst picture. It was shot in eighteen days and there was a suggestion of a talking camel to be in it. ------------------------------------------------------------ Elvis plays Johnny Tyronne, a matinee idol on a good will tour in the middle east. He soon becomes involved with kidnappers, assassins and a beautiful damsel in distress (Mary Ann Mobley). Amongst a predictable plot of boy saves girl; are nine songs featuring "Kismet", "Golden Coins" and "Harem Holiday". Cast includes Michael Ansara, Fran Jeffreys and Jay Novello.
Frankie & Johnny
Released: 1966 MGM Pictures Available on VHS & DVD Fun Fact: the director of this picture, Fredrick de Cordova, would go on in later years to create a show named The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. ------------------------------------------------------------ Elvis plays Johnny, a riverboat entertainer that has a big gambling problem. Donna Douglas is Johnny's girl, Frankie. A fortune teller tells Johnny how he can change his luck. Enter a new lady luck played by Nancy Kovack and the cat fight begins. Costumes are classy. A dozen songs make up the soundtrack featuring "Hard Luck" and "Please Don't Stop Loving Me". Also in the cast are Sue Anne Langdon, Harry Morgan and Anthony Eisley.
Paradise, Hawaiian Style
Released: 1966 Paramount Pictures Available on VHS & DVD Fun Fact: this movie was highly regarded as Elvis' worst soundtrack movie mainly because of songs like 'Datin' and 'Dogs Life'. The scenery made up for it though. ----------------------------------------------------------- Elvis plays a helicopter pilot in his second movie outing in Hawaii. His amorous preoccupation with every pretty stewardess he comes across soon lands him in trouble with his job. Deciding to stop working for the other guy, Rick returns to his beautiful Hawaii to run his own helicopter service between the islands. Predictably life is a bowl of fun, sun and pretty girls, but things can go wrong and soon do.
Spinout
Released: 1966 MGM Pictures Available on VHS & DVD Fun Fact: this movie had three original titles; "After Midnight", "Never Say No" and "Never Say Yes". ------------------------------------------------------------ Elvis Presley plays Mike McCoy, the leader of a small time combo on the road. Millionaire Howard Foxhugh played by Carl Betz wants McCoy to sing solo for his daughter's birthday. Daughter Cynthia is aptly played by Shelley Fabares. Entering the plot further, Foxhugh wants the singer to drive his new race car in an up and coming race. Deborah Walley plays the drummer in the combo and has a mad crush for her boss. Diane McBain plays an author looking for a subject for her next book; guess who? Auto racing, light comedy and plenty of music helps McCoy dodge the girls. Highlights from the soundtrack are "I'll Be Back", "All That I Am" and the title tune.