In addition to its breathtaking Hawaiian setting and well-known soundtrack, Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii (1961) is a visual feast, full of intriguing backstage anecdotes and endearing bloopers that only serve to further cement the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s lasting legacy. Because of its enticing charm and positive feelings, Blue Hawaii is still a fan favorite even though it may not be at the top of critics’ lists of Elvis Presley’s best movies.
One of the Movies That Changed Elvis Presley’s Career
Elvis made a change with Blue Hawaii compared to several of his previous roles. Even though Chad Gates’ character wasn’t a singer or performer for the first time, he still managed to pop into song when he was relaxing on the beach or rowing a canoe. Even while this might sound corny to some, fans found resonance in the lighthearted, melodic atmosphere it produced.
The formula, which included exotic locales, memorable music, and a hint of romance, established the basis for many of Elvis Presley’s features. Elvis made it to the Top Ten Box-Office Stars list seven times in the 1960s thanks to Colonel Tom Parker, his manager, who took advantage of Blue Hawaii’s enormous success.
1.A throng of yelling fans and behind-the-scenes treasures
A slight sound of screaming real-life fans may be heard in the background during one of the initial moments when Chad gets off the plane. Hundreds of residents crowded the stage to see Elvis, and the sound editors were unable to hide their excitement.
- Demands of Juliet Prowse
Juliet Prowse was initially offered the role of Maile Duval, but Joan Blackman ultimately performed it. Famous for costarring with Elvis Presley in G.I. Blues (1960), Prowse made strange demands of the production, such as flying her secretary to Hawaii and bringing in her cosmetics artist. She quit the project because these demands were not met. - MG Roadster Red
Elvis Presley’s passion for automobiles is well known, and Blue Hawaii introduced him to the beautiful 1960 MGA 1600 MkI roadster. Elvis bought the car while it was being made because he was so enamored with it. This vehicle is now a proud part of his collection of Cadillacs, Stutzes, and motorcycles in Graceland.
The Invaluable Bloopers
There are consistency issues in even well-executed Hollywood films, and Blue Hawaii is no different. Here are several treasures for viewers with keen eyes:
“Almost Always True” Vehicle Scene: Chad’s arm abruptly shifts from the seatback to behind Maile, and Maile’s hands inexplicably shift positions on the steering wheel.
Pineapple Field Switcheroo: During the scene in the pineapple field, Ellie remains in the car, but for the sake of the camera angles, her location mysteriously moves from one side of the automobile to the other.
Despite the music’s suggestion to the contrary, Chad strums his ukulele without changing chords during a musical number. Hank Garland, the guitarist for Elvis Presley, later received this famous prop as a present.
Individual ties to Hawaii
On and off screen, Hawaii played a big role in Elvis Presley’s life. The Coco Palms Resort, which also acted as the backdrop for Chad and Maile’s on-screen wedding, was one of the stunning locales used for filming Blue Hawaii. Despite the resort being decimated by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, fans still love their visit.
It’s interesting to note that Elvis reinforced his ties to the islands by returning to Hawaii for his last vacation in March 1977. After staying at the Hilton Rainbow Tower, he and his girlfriend, Ginger Alden, and her sisters withdrew to a beach house.
Elvis’ Conflicted Thoughts on the Movie
Even though people have positive memories of Blue Hawaii, Elvis wasn’t always happy with how it was made. Anne Fulchino, the head of publicity, remembered that Elvis was embarrassed and frustrated by the monotonous nature of his assignments. Even with his internal conflicts, Elvis’s performance in the movie is nevertheless a tribute to his charm and professionalism.
A History of Joy, Music, and Love
From pulling practical jokes on set to taking golf lessons from professional Gary Player, Elvis brought his distinct charm and sense of humor to Blue Hawaii. There’s always something to like about this movie, whether you’re attracted to the hidden bloopers or the soundtrack (Can’t Help Falling in Love is still a timeless classic).
Look out for these fun elements the next time you see Blue Hawaii. Elvis was more than simply the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll; he was a legendary figure who infused his magic into everything he worked on. Tell us about your best Blue Hawaii moments, and let’s continue to honor this timeless masterpiece!
