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Editorial Reviews
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Not all Elvis films are this good. What makes this one better are the glossy production values; and the letterbox print definitely helps. Angela Lansbury puts in a highly amusing performance as Elvis's ditzy Southern Belle mama (after all, Hawaii is the southernmost state, no?). The whole story hinges around Elvis's return from the military and his desire to return to his cozy beach bum existence, while mater and pater want him to join the family pineapple firm.
The King, of course, is subject to no law. He goes into the tour guide business, marshalling a well-preserved teacher and her four teenage charges around the islands. His Franco-Hawaiian girlfriend is jealous that there's more than tourism going on behind closed doors.
At the end, everything comes together. Elvis gets hitched AND finds a way to work in tourism and for the pineapple firm at the same time. All is at peace in the world, and the music wells up. Finis.
"Blue Hawaii" is the prototype of Elvis' subsequent movies. It helped change his movie persona from the James Dean wannabe of the pre-army movies into the familiar pop rock star of the mid-'60s. A very slender Elvis returns home from the army and settles in to enjoy life in the sun and spend time with his girl, Maile (Joan Blackman). His stuffy parents disapprove of his beach bum life, disapprove of his friends, and want him to put his nose to the family grindstone in his father's business. This conflict sets in motion the lightweight plot with its obligatory singing, dancing, and romantic complications. As in many of Elvis' pictures, the story merely serves as a framework for the 14 or so musical numbers. Among the best are "Rock-A-Hula Baby," "Beach Boy Blues," and the classic "Can't Help Falling in Love." The scenery is wonderful, the music is fun, and the comedy provokes both groans and chuckles. Angela Lansbury is hilarious as Elvis' southern belle mother. Her air-headed character is an amusing satire of Tennessee Williams. Howard McNear (you know, Floyd the barber on "Andy Griffith") is funny as a befuddled owner of a tourist service. Joan Blackman and a bevy of nubile beauties look good in sixties swimwear. Great color photography and solid Hall Wallis production values add to the enjoyment. Kick back and enjoy the fun. ;-)
Elvis returns to the islands from the army determined not to enter into his rich father's pineapple business, preferring to try and make a go of a tour guide business with his Hawaiian girlfriend. His snobbish mother; Landsbury in a great over the top acting part complete with Southern drawl,("Have you got some sugar for your mother?") is horrified but she and his father eventually agree to let him try.
After various plot twists involving a tourist group made entirely up of young girls, he eventually makes a go of things and marries the girl.
Favourite songs have to be, Can't Help Falling In Love, which he sings to his girlfriend's grandmother for her birthday and Almost Always True. Other songs are, Rock A Hula Baby, Hawaiian Wedding Song, Blue Hawaii, Aloha Oe, No More, Moonlight Swim, Ku-u-i-po, Ito Eats, Slicin' Sand, Hawaiian Sunset, Beachboy Blues and Island of Love.
Nice piece of romantic, musical escapism.
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