Blue Hawaii

Director: Norman Taurog Norman Taurog

Overview

One of Elvis Presley's most successful post-Army vehicles, Blue Hawaii casts Elvis as scion to a Hawaiian pineapple fortune. His snooty mother Angela Lansbury wants Presley to take over the management of the family business, but he'd rather make his own way in the world. He lands a job at a tourist agency, and incidentally finds time to dally with such lovelies as Joan Blackman and Nancy Walters. Steve Brodie, as ever, is on hand to inveigle Elvis into an outsized brawl. Among the songs featured in the film are the title number (originally written in 1937 for Bing Crosby) and "Can't Help Falling in Love."

Product Details

Release Date:	03/30/2021
UPC:	0032429355331
Original Release:	1961
Rating:	PG
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Language:	English
Time:	1:41:00
Sales rank:	23,289

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Elvis Presley	Chad Gates
Joan Blackman	Maile Duval
Angela Lansbury	Sarah Lee Gates
Roland Winters	Fred Gates
Howard McNear	Mr. Chapman
Nancy Walters	Abigail Prentice
John Archer	Jack Kelman
Flora Hayes	Mrs. Manaka
Gregory Gaye	Mr. Duval
Steve Brodie	Mr. Garvey
Iris Adrian	Mrs. Garvey
Darlene Tompkins	Patsy
Pamela Akert	Sandy
Christian Kay	Beverly
Jenny Maxwell	Ellie
Frank Atienza	Ito O'Hara
Lani Kai	Carl
Jose De Vega	Ernie
Ralph Hanalie	Wes
Pamela Austin	Actor
Hilo Hattie	Waihila
George DeNormand	le général Anthony
Bobby Barber	Actor
Lillian Culver	Actor
Bess Flowers	Actor
Pamela Kirk	Selena (Sandy) Emerson
Joseph J. Lilley	Composer
Dolores Fuller	Composer
Joseph Lilley	Composer

Technical Credits

Hal Kanter

Allan Weiss

Norman Taurog	Director
Hal Kanter	Screenwriter
Hal B. Wallis	Producer
Allan Weiss	Screenwriter
Farciot Edouart	Special Effects
Philip Mitchell	Sound Effects
Bill Wistrom	Sound Effects
Paul Nathan	Producer
Barney Wolff	Special Effects

Editorial Reviews

Blue Hawaii is not a great movie by any means, but it's so amiable and ingratiating that most people will be willing to overlook its flaws and just let it wash over them. Its flaws are certainly many, starting with a screenplay that is filled with clichés and trite dialogue, and features a fairly hoary basic premise and a plot that thinks nothing of coming to a dead halt so that Elvis Presley can sing and swing through a number. Yet there's also lightheartedness to the whole enterprise that keeps it afloat. Clearly, the main attractions here are Presley and the setting, and the film doesn't stint on either one. Presley's in practically every scene, and he excels at this kind of role: slightly rebellious, but for the right reasons; easygoing, but determined; and always ready to break out the guitar and jam with his friends. And while there are plenty of scenes that are clearly studio-bound, director Norman Taurog also makes sure that he doesn't neglect the "travelogue" aspect of the film. Throw in "Can't Help Falling in Love," "Rock-a-Hula Baby," the title number, and a healthy heaping of other songs, and you've got an entertaining, unchallenging way to pass the time.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler