Elvis has been entertaining us for years, both through his music and his films. Even though he’s been gone for a long time, we still appreciate what he left behind.
One of the movies he’s famous for is from 1961. It’s a musical called Blue Hawaii, and you can really see his charm in nearly every note he sang.
When it comes to music, Elvis Presley was truly one of a kind. He was also known for his good looks and his ability to put on an amazing show. Many people think his performance in Blue Hawaii is his best, even though experts often rank it lower.
If you haven’t seen Blue Hawaii or if it’s been a while, it’s definitely worth your time to check it out. There are plenty of funny moments in the film, and you’ll notice that Elvis isn’t just a singer; he’s also a pretty good comedian.
Even though some critics have mixed feelings about it, it was the 10th highest-grossing film of 1961. At the box office, it made $4.2 million, which was a big deal back in the 60s.
It wasn’t just that Elvis played a former G.I. who leaves his dad’s business to give beach tours; it’s the soundtrack that really grabs our attention.
One thing that a lot of people might miss or never noticed are the bloopers and behind-the-scenes issues that are really fun to watch today. Here are a few highlights for the next time you decide to watch the movie.
Did you know that Elvis’s character in Blue Hawaii didn’t really have a solid reason to sing? Chad Gates would break into song at the most unusual and unexpected times, like when he was rowing a boat or relaxing on the beach.
After Blue Hawaii was a huge success, both as a film and a soundtrack, the producer decided to use it as a model for future Presley movies. Basically, they would cast some attractive co-stars, place Elvis in a stunning location, and have them perform a lot of songs. It really paid off!
When Chad steps off the plane, you can actually hear hundreds of fans cheering in the background. They were there to witness the scene being filmed, and you have to turn the volume up to catch it, but it’s definitely there.
It wasn’t just about Elvis Presley; Joan Blackman also had her part in the film. Interestingly, she wasn’t the first pick for the role. That title went to Juliet Prowse.
Juliet didn’t end up in the movie because she requested a makeup artist from a different studio and wanted them to cover the cost of flying her secretary to Hawaii. After her demands were denied, she chose to walk away.
You might not think of Elvis as one of the greatest actors, but he was actually quite good on screen. Regarding Blue Hawaii, Anne Fulchino mentioned that he found the whole experience somewhat humiliating. She would know since she was a publicity director who collaborated with him.
She recalled: “It took him a while to come over and speak to us, and when he finally did — you see, at first I used to call him Chief and I said, ‘Hi, Chief,’ and he just stared at me like he wished I hadn’t shown up.”
I thought to myself, ‘If I were making these terrible movies, I wouldn’t want to see anyone from my past either,’” she added. “That’s why I didn’t stick around.”
“He clearly felt uneasy about what he was doing; he was frustrated and disgusted — it was all visible on his face,” Fulchino went on. “The emotion I admired most was his shame, which showed he knew he could do better — but you could tell he felt trapped.”
Elvis Presley faced some challenges while shooting Blue Hawaii. Fans would gather around, hoping to catch a glimpse of him, which kept security on high alert. He required protection wherever he went, so he missed out on many of the island’s tourist attractions.
However, he did make time to take pro-golf lessons from Gary Player.
Gary recalled: “After I won my first Masters in 1961, I got a telegram invitation from Elvis – The King. A telegram, which was way harder than sending a text today. We were playing in Los Angeles, and I visited the set of ‘Hawaii’ where Elvis was working. When he saw me enter, he shouted ‘CUT!’ Being the gentleman he was, Elvis put on a jacket before coming over to shake my hand. He was just starting to learn golf and asked for some swing advice. He took a practice swing, and honestly, it looked like a cow giving birth to a roll of barbed wire. So, I adjusted his grip and told him he really needed to use his hips on the downswing. He replied, ‘Baby, you’re talking to the right man.’ Then he gave us all a little shake.”
During the filming, Elvis was dating Anita Wood and decided to pull a prank. Anita went along with it, and they successfully executed it. The prank involved Elvis pretending to be dead.
When Wood started screaming that he wasn’t breathing, everyone panicked. They rushed over to call an ambulance, only to discover him sitting there, explaining, ‘I just wanted to see what you guys would do.’
After filming, Hawaii became a popular wedding destination. He ended up shooting three movies there, featuring some iconic scenes from the island.
One of the scenes was filmed at an overlook on Tantalus Drive. That view is still accessible today and remains a favorite spot for weddings.
Even though he was seeing someone else, Elvis Presley developed a connection with his co-star, Joan Blackman. They shared a strong chemistry, and Joan confessed that she felt a spark between them when they first met in 1957.
“When we first laid eyes on each other, there was a spark, a magic in the air… There was just that special something between us, sometimes so warm and wonderful you could almost reach out and touch it.”
Elvis even invited her to star in more movies with him, but she turned him down, stating that she wanted to work because she was talented, not just because she was dating Elvis.
There’s a funny mistake in the Almost Always True car scene. Maile’s hands suddenly change position on the steering wheel, and Chad’s arm goes from resting on the seat back to stretching out behind her. That editing error made it into the final version.
Ellie also stays in the car during the pineapple field scene, but others had to remain inside. Chad brings back some pineapples, and Ellie has moved to the passenger seat. This was all done to keep the shot consistent.
Make sure to notice when Chad is playing the ukulele during one of the songs. He might be strumming the strings, but he isn’t changing chords.
Chad wore a patch on his uniform, and it’s not just random. It’s the insignia of the third armored division of the US Army, the same division that Elvis Presley served with while he was in Germany.
In March 1977, Elvis Presley returned to Hawaii for a vacation. This would be his last trip to a place filled with many cherished memories.