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 What can you say about almost any of Elvis Presley's movies other than they contained Elvis himself and his electrifying crooning voice that made complete idiots out of normal teenage girls. Blue Hawaii (1961), his eighth film, is no different. The story is silly, but as soon as the military-uniformed Elvis (Chad) descends a plane, takes Maile Duval (Joan Blackman) in his arms and those big dimples fill his face, Elvis fans are on board for the length of the film.
Chad Gates has returned to his native Hawaii after his tour in the Army. Now he just wants to get back with his girl, Maile, surf, and sing with his buds.
Angela Lansbury &
Roland Winters
His well-to-do parents, Sarah Lee (Angela Lansbury) and Fred (Roland Winters) have other plans for their son. Fred wants his son to take over as head of their Pineapple business.
While Chad delves into the Hawaiian culture again, Maile, who is looked down by "Chadwick's" mother because she's an islander, continues with her job as a tour guide. Chad and Maile soon decide Chad can be a tour guide, too.
His first assignment turns out to guiding school teacher Abigail Prentice (Nancy Walters) and four of her school girls. Not only does one of the more wayward girls get a crush on Chad, but so does Miss Prentice. This scenario sets up the very small conflict in the film as Maile becomes jealous.
There are quite a few things you'll have to ignore to enjoy this story. Chad is quite pale to be a real Hawaiian. The acting by everyone barely registers a one on the Richter scale; except for that of Angela Lansbury. Already an accomplished actress as she proved in Till the Clouds Roll By (1946) and Samson and Delilah (1949). Lansbury is priceless in this role. She's so ditzy and over the top you can't help but crack up with laughs every time she's on screen. Even funnier is that she calls her husband Daddy, and he calls her Mother.
The school girls are exceedingly bad actresses or else were given very bad direction by Norman Taurog (Boys Town, 1938) who made 180 films during his Hollywood career. They jump up and down all the time, screech like 4-year-olds, and fling their hands up and down in the air so often I could barely keep from hitting the fast-forward button every time they were on screen.
Joan Blackman & Elvis
Although Joan Blackman was a pretty face and perfect for the role of Maile, she did mostly television roles during her short career.
Looking at Elvis, 26 at the time, no matter what he was starring in was always easy on the eyes. And while some of the songs -- "Ito Eats," "I'm A Poor Hawaiian Beach Boy" which Chad sings when he's in jail -- I do admit fast-forwarding through, many such as "Blue Hawaii" and "Can't Help Falling In Love" are well worth hearing again. When Chad and Maile get married in a traditional Hawaiian wedding with him saying his I do's in song ("I do, Love You") in "Hawaiian wedding Song," like most romantic movies of this era, we know it's a happily-ever-after ending.
The soundtrack album for the movie was Elvis' most successful chart album.
This movie will appeal mostly to Elvis fans, but is you have grandchildren over 12 who never knew what "The King" was all about, let them watch this one. Blue Hawaii is very typical of the 1950s and 60s. All the girls wear only dresses except when they're in the water, and the movie is about fun, romance and growing up.
Director: Norman Taurog
Writers: Joan Alison & Murray Burnett - play, Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein & Howard Koch - screenplay
Cast Members: Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Roland Winters, Nancy Walters, Jenny Maxwell
Rating: PG - for mild sensuality
Classic Movie Guide Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Run Time: 101 minutes
Studio: Paramount Pictures
Photo credits: Paramount Pictures
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