In Kid Galahad there is a lovely scene where Elvis is walking with Joan Blackman. He is in a suit, and she is gussied up as if for Easter and holds his arm as they walk. He sings A Whistling Tune. Kid Galahad is my favorite Elvis movie. I’m not sure why. The cinematography is gorgeous, and Elvis and Joan Blackman look scrumptious together.
Also in Kid Galahad there is a scene where Joan Blackman wears a yellow sun dress, and a blue shirted Elvis sings I Got Lucky. They do the Twist. Kid Galahad is breathtaking in its colors and sunlit scenery, even without the beach splendor of Blue Hawaii, also starring Joan Blackman, and subsequent beach movies.
My second favorite Elvis movie is G.I. Blues, even though I’m not a huge fan of the sophisticated Lili played by Juliet Prowse. Again, I love the title song. Obviously, Elvis had some really good title songs.
In my third favorite Elvis movie, the one set in Florida, the title song Follow That Dream calls to the heart the way he sings it. You hear wanderlust and a promise of joy to come.
I love the story of Wild in the Country, written by Cliff Odets. My favorite scene is where a snockered Elvis is calling for “Miz Sparry—arry—arry—arry.”
The opening scene of Girls Girls Girls with Elvis singing the title song while snapping his fingers is playful and rollicking. I like his captain’s hat.
Loving You is often overlooked and has the fabulous Lizbeth Scott. She also played with Kirk Douglas and Barbara Stanwyck in The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.
The way Elvis is depicted with his family in Flaming Star during the early part of the movie, before the mother dies, makes you yearn for the simple homespun joy to last. Of course, the end breaks your heart.
Who could forget the title song scene in Jailhouse Rock? Elvis choreographed his own moves, and boy he moved.
In Love Me Tender you feel so sad for Elvis’ character because you know Debra Paget really loves his brother, played by Richard Eagan. Another heartbreaking ending.
If you want your heart broken again, watch the end of King Creole. As for the song, yes I love that one too. It’s wild and raw.
I have to give a shout out to Viva Las Vegas because Elvis’ leading lady is Ann-Margret, my husband’s movie girlfriend. How many hundreds of times did we dance to What’d I Say?
Last but not least is blonde haired Elvis in Kissin’ Cousins. Let’s just say it’s a treat.
There you have it—my favorite Elvis movie moments. I’m curious–what is your favorite Elvis movie or song?
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Somehow I have gone through life without seeing a single Elvis movie. omg! Not really sure how that happened, LOL, but I do remember seeing the clip from Jailhouse Rock. In fact I just hopped over to You Tube and played it again because it’s such fun and has so much energy. That man could definitely move!
Oh Mae, I hope you take a peek at one. For an interesting film based on a novel, you might try Wild in the Country. Follow That Dream is also based on a novel– Pioneer Go Home by Richard Powell. It is hilarious and has many parts filmed here in my town! Some of the locals were extras. For his beach movies, Blue Hawaii is the standard.
I love Jailhouse Rock. The enthusiasm is infectious. I also like G.I. Blues. I recall watching them on T.V. Fun memories because I often danced around the room to the songs.
I can just see that, Daisy! We did the same.
Oh, Flossie. Thanks for this reminder about the King of Rock!
Only now I realize he’s a Capricorn like me.
I saw many of his movies as my husband is a great fan of Elvis. I enjoyed Girl Happy – it was the first Elvis movie I saw. I also enjoyed Return to Sender and Love a little, Live a little.
Here’s a link with a collage of all his 31 movies I found on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbjrMgrqagE&list=RDMbjrMgrqagE#t=206
He was such a charismatic person. A pity his life ended so tragically, like Michael Jackson’s.
Yes, a Capricorn as are you, Carmen. I remember Girl Happy well. Love the song Return to Sender too. It’s on my iPhone. Another song I have on my iPhone is Devil in Disguise. I remember when it came on our restaurant juke box. Thank you so much for the link. I can’t wait to take a trip back in time by looking at it.