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Directed Norman Taurog
Writing Credits Alan Weiss(story), Hal Kanter
Producer Hal Wallis
Technical Advisor Colonel Tom Parker
Technicolor and Panavision

Cast Overview
Elvis Presley .... Chad Gates, Joan Blackman .... Maile Duval, Angela Lansbury .... Sarah Lee Gates, Nancy Walters .... Abigail Prentice, Roland Winters .... Fred Gates, John Archer .... Jack Kelman, Howard McNear .... Mr. Chapman, Steve Brodie .... Tucker Garvey, Iris Adrian .... Enid Garvey, Jenny Maxwell .... Ellie Corbett, Pamela Austin .... Selena (Sandy) Emerson, Darlene Tompkins .... Patsy Simon, Christian Kay .... Beverly Martin, Lani Kai .... Carl Tanami, Jose De Vega .... Ernie Gordon

Showcased by beautiful panoramic shots of Hawaii and boasting one of the best selling soundtrack albums of all time this great if unoriginal movie makes you want to hop on a plane for the islands faster than you can say Hawaii Five O. Elvis is in top form returning to the islands after a stint in the army to take up a position with a travel agent showing tourists around. E's relaitionship with Maile Duval (Joan Blackman) is threatened when Elvis has to escort a bunch of amorous school girls around the island on a holiday as well as getting unwelcome attention from the glamorous teacher. Angel Landsbury is terrifically over the top as E's middle class mother. Great views, great fun.

Musical Soundtrack

"BLUE HAWAII"
Written by Leo Robin & Ralph Rainger, Performed by Elvis Presley
The title song blends Elvis' baritone, Hawaiin guitars and the Jordanaires to good effect. Released on the soundtrack LP (1961). Later on the LP's Elvis A Legendary Performer Vol.2 (1976) and Mahalo from Elvis (1976). An alternate take (3) was released on the soundtrack CD (1997).

"ALMOST ALWAYS TRUE"
Written by Fred Weis & Ben Weisman, Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis sings this to Maile in the car on the way to the beach when she asks him about girls abroad. Released on the soundtrack album (1961). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"ALOHA OE"
Arrangement Elvis Presley, Performed by Elvis Presley
Traditional Hawaiin song. Released on the soundtrack album (1961). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"NO MORE"
Written by Don Robertson & Hal Blair, Performed by Elvis Presley
One of the best tunes in the film. Released on the soundtrack LP(1961). An alternate take (7) was released on the soundtrack CD (1997).

"CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE"
Written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore & George Weiss, Performed by Elvis Presley
One of Elvis' greatest love songs sung in the film to Maile's grandmother at her birthday party. Eventually it became the finale of his concerts. Released as a single with Rock-A-Hula Baby on the flipside and on the soundtrack LP (1961). Live versions were released on the LP's Elvis NBC TV Special (1968), From Memphis To Vegas (1969), Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden (1972), Elvis In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada (1970), Aloha From Hawaii (1973) and Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis (1974). The song was also performed in the film Thats The Way It Is (1970), but not released on the soundtrack LP. The movie version which has a different intro was released on the soundtrack CD as a bonus track (1997).

"ROCK - A - HULA BABY"
Written by Fred Wise, Ben Weisman & Dolores Fuller, Performed by Elvis Presley
One of the big hits from the film, a twisting rocker, very repetitive with Elvis patented growling and slowed down finish. Released as a single with Can't Help Falling In Love on the flipside and on the soundtrack LP (1961). Later on Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol.1 (1970) and Elvis In Hollywood (1976). An alternative take (1) was released on the soundtrack CD as a bonus track (1997).

"MOONLIGHT SWIM"
Written by Sylvia Dee & Ben Weisman, Performed by Elvis Presley
A silky ballad with hawaiin guitars. Released on the soundtrack LP (1961). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"KU-LI-I-PO"
Written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore & George Weiss, Performed by Elvis Presley
One of the pretiest ballads in the film sung slowly with a flourish of guitars. Released on the soundtrack LP (1961). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"ITO EATS"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
The novelty humour number sung on the beach with an almost calypso feel. Released on the soundtrack LP (1961). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"SLICIN' SAND"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
A fast pounding number done almost as a put on by Elvis. Released on the soundtrack LP (1961). An alternate take (4) was released on the soundtrack CD as a bonus track (1997).

"HAWAIIN SUNSET"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
Lovely slow ballad sung with soft Hawaiin guitars backing. Released on the soundtrack LP (1961). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"BEACH BOY BLUES"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
Blues number sung in a jail cell after Elvis is arrested for fighting. Released on the soundtrack LP (1961). The slower movie version was released as a bonus track on the soundtrack CD (1997).

"ISLAND OF LOVE"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
Tender ballad, nice without being too slushy. Released on the soundtrack LP (1961). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"HAWAIIN WEDDING SONG"
Written by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning & C.E. King, Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis singing while floating down the river to be married at he end of the movie. Released on the soundtrack LP (1961). A live version appears on the album Elvis in Concert(1977). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

Recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios, 7000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood. March 1961.

Musicians:
Elvis Presley (vocals), Hank Garland, Tiny Timbrell (guitars), Bernie Lewis (steel guitar), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Bernie Mattinson, Hal Blaine (drums), Floyd Cramer, Dudley Brookes (piano), Boots Randolph (sax), George Field (harmonica), Fred Tavares, Alvino Rey (ukeleles)the Jordanaires and the Surfers (vocals).

An intensive two nights of recording to cut the 14 tracks for this movie.The success of the film at the box office was also matched by record sales: the single of "Rock - A - Hula Baby" sold over a million copies and the soundtrack LP racked up half that number in the first three months of it's release.

Billboards review of the soundtrack stated "This should be a big one."

Blue Hawaii enters Billboard's Top Album Chart at no. 75 for week ending October 29. It reached No. 1 in early December and held pole position for 20 weeks.

November 22nd - Billboards Spotlight section says of Rock-A-Hula Baby, "Heres a Presley twist special ideal for the new dance craze."

Can't Help Falling In Love and Rock-A-Hula Baby enter the Hot 100 at no. 57 and no. 62 for week ending December 10 peaking at no. 2 and no. 23 respectively. It became Elvis' 29th certified gold record.

In the United Kingdom the double A side single Can't Help Falling In Love/Rock-A-Hula Baby was number 1 during February 1962.

Can't Help Falling In Love was inspired by Giovanni Martini's classical French composition "Plasir d'Amour"

The song Steppin' Out Of Line was cut from the final print.

The song Blue Hawaii was written by Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger and was first introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1937 film Waikiki Wedding.

Aloha Oe which means farewell to thee was written in 1878 by Liliuokalani the last reigning queen of Hawaii.

Blue Hawaii is ranked number 2 and no. 9 on Billboards Top 100 Albums chart 1960 - 1969 and All Time Hot 100 Albums Chart respectively.

In the United Kingdom Blue Hawaii reached no. 9 in the most weeks at no. 1 All Time Album Chart (18weeks). It also has the distinction of being Elvis' longest running chart LP of 65 weeks.

Trivia

Location filming commenced on March 17, 1961 in Hawaii and ended on April 17.

Working title for this movie was "Hawaiin Beach Boy".

During the location filming in the islands, it was estimated that a total of 1485 local residents were engaged to play bit parts.

The filming was centred on the islands of Oahu and Kauai. Top tourist attractions featured in the film included Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, Mount Tantalus, Hanuana Bay, Punchbowl and Coco Palms where the Wedding scene was filmed.

Elvis' leading lady in the film was to be Juliet Prowse, his co-star from "GI Blues", but Juliet was unable to agree personal terms and Joan Blackman got the much coveted role.

A number of female roles had to be filled in the cast and singer Brenda Lee, who had met Elvis on the set of "Wild In The Country" was considered for a part as to was singer/actress Connie Stevens, neither however appeared in the film.

The film opened nationally in America on November 22, 1961.

Allan Weiss who wrote the story was a former Los Angeles newspaper man.Blue Hawaii reached number 2 on Variety's weekly top grossing chart.

Charles O'Curran the choreographer for Blue Hawaii was married to Patti Page one of Elvis' favorite singers.

Producer Hal Wallis ordered a 10pm curfew for the actresses because they started to look tired on morning sets. (They had been partying each night with Elvis and his entourage.)

On March 25 1961, more than 3000 fans greeted Elvis when he arrived at Honolulu's International airport, in the afternoon he hosted a press conference at the Hilton Hawaiin Village Hotel. That evening, Elvis gave a unique live concert at the Bloch Arena in Pearl Harbor to raise funds for the USS Arizona War Memorial.

In variety's top grossing box office poll for 1961 Blue Hawaii reached no.8

Joan Blackman also appeared in Elvis' 10th movie Kid Galahad.

London born Angela Lansbury famous for her starring role in the TV series Murder She Wrote regards Blue Hawaii as a real low point in her acting career. In fact Lansbury's interplay with veteran actor Roland Winters is pure Hollywood comedy at it's best. Angela who played Elvis' mother, was only 35 years old when the movie was filmed, a mere 10 year older than Elvis.

Goofs

Sign pointing to Waianae is actually pointing towards Manoa Valley, on the other side of the island of O'ahu.

 

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