Customer Reviews

Speedway

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

By 1968, Elvis was wishing his film contact was over. None of his movies could really be said to have high artistic value, although his pre-army movies like Jail-House Rock had some artistic merit, and in them he showed that when he was interested in a project, he had some not bad acting ability.

His post-army films (except King Creole) were more geared toward slick entertainment, exploiting his name and image, and they were very formulaic -- BUT, his early '60's movies were also very entertaining. Viva Las Vegas, Blue Hawaii, Fun in Acapulco and GI Blues are always fun to watch, and pretty hip time capsules of pop culture in the early '60's.

Unfortunately, after about 1965, the quality of his movies took a downturn, as even he himself would say, and he began to really look bored with the whole thing in the last 3 or 4 years of his Hollywood era. The films had always been easy-going fluff, but likable. His early 60's movies had peppy songs, and were very much in touch with pop-culture of the time. By 1968, however, when Speedway was made, his image was no longer up-to-date, about 4 or 5 years out of style, as if the rest of the world had moved on, but Elvis was still stuck in 1963.

But still, Speedway is probably the best movie from the last 3 years of his movie making career. It's the third time he has played a race car driver, and this time they use actual footage of real NASCAR races. In fact, this film has some of the best existing footage of Charlotte Speedway and live NASCAR action from the mid-60's, with Richard Petty and Cale Yarbrough ontrack and in their prime during the race scenes (too bad they didn't make any cameos in the body of the film). So for NASCAR fans, this movie has historical value.

Nancy Sinatra, of the Go-Go Boots fame, could have been the sexiest co-star ever in an Elvis movies (or at least she could have tied with Ann-Margret), but the script doesn't give her much on-screen time, and there is only one scene with her wearing those trademark boots - at the very end of the movie.

One bit of irony is the theme of Elvis' character being a celebrity whose manager is cheating himout of some of his earnings, which is sadly what happened to Elvis in real life for much of his career.

Overall, though, mediocre Elvis is still more entertaining than alot of topnotch actors who specialize in long boring movies, and every Elvis fan should see this one at least once.

By 1967, enough was enough with the light fluff comedies starring Elvis Presley. Throughout the 60s, Elvis was being humiliated making bad movies like TICKLE ME and HARUM SCARUM while The Beatles and Bob Dylan were changing the music scene.

In SPEEDWAY, Elvis plays a singing race car driver (for the third time!) who gets into trouble with the IRS. He falls in love with Nancy Sinatra, and that's about it for the plot.

The only saving grace is that the cast is better than average. It's quite interesting to see Elvis act alongside "Lucy" regular Gale Gordon. The songs are a little better than average, especially the quite good "Let Yourself Go".

Again, it's not that bad. It's a definite improvement over CLAMBAKE, but a far cry from JAILHOUSE ROCK or KING CREOLE.

If Austin powers were really in the groovy 60's. he'd be in this movie. with that said, yeah Elvis was embarrassed here and there but you can't get over how incredibly cool Elvis is in nearly every scene. Sinatra is a bit miscast cus Elvis blows her out of the water. but she adds a little somethin sweet here and there but Elvis is still the victor.

Bill Bixby you guys!! he is great in this movie as Elvis's manager and he is funny from start to finish and his chemistry with Elvis is the best i've seen from an Elvis movie (Ever) not overestimating.
"Your time hasen't come yet baby" is great and "let yourself go" is very cool and Elvis is enjoying himself as if he knows he's making cool look good again since pappa sinatra.
this is one of if not the best Elvis movie during the last 3 years of his films next to a dramatic and very surreal Change of Habbit.

Everything about "Speedway" is as groovy as Elvis always performs. I just love the way Nancy Sinatra performed the song "Your Groovy Self" and the way she moved around as she sang. Nancy's really hot! Bill Bixby was quite hilarious. Elvis' song "Let Yourself Go" is super cool. The scene where Elvis sang "Your Time Hasn't Come Yet, Baby" to the little girl was kind of cute. And the sounds of those roaring engines in the race were very much electrifying. Some of the plots really did show off Elvis' real-life self as the generous and giving person he was. He buys for a friend and his 5 little girls a brand new station wagon, also helps out a troubled waitress with her upcoming wedding. Unfortunately Bixby's character messes everything up for Steve Grayson (Elvis), by betting Steve's money on the horses, instead of paying for those things Elvis bought for his friends, and besides makes an outrageous tax claim form for Steve, with deductions such as perfumed record albums and [money]for air? Oh yes! Lucille Ball's "Mr. Mooney" was kinda funny too and was excellent for the role of the head IRS agent R.W. Hepworth. When I first saw this movie in the theater I cracked up at the "He's Your Uncle, Not Your Dad!" sequence. It was funny it was cool. Just everything about "Speedway" is superbly exciting. But what else could you expect out of a movie that starres the king of rock and roll! And lets not forget Nancy Sinatra who is more than just the icing on that cake. It's not everyday you see such a gorgeous tax collector. I give this film a perfect A+. It's just loaded with the stuff! "Speedway" is an honest to goodness must see.

OK, people, we are talking 1968 here. Granted, this movie isn't War and Peace, but was never intended to be. Elvis, by the time this movie was filmed, knew there was no chance of being considered a serious actor, although that was his dream.

The chemistry between Elvis and Nancy Sinatra is very evident...on and off the screne. Great friends and they had a blast making this movie. I recall Nancy saying they would ride around the MGM lot on a bicycle built for two when tour buses would come around and the heads would turn. That sounds like an enjoyable experience to me. The film is enjoyable, funny, and for its time, the racing scenes are action packed.

It doesn't get any better than Nancy singing "Your Groovy Self" with the blonde hair, [lightened around her face more for the movie] and those smokey, almond eyes. WOW!

BTW, Nancy was the only performer to have a solo song included on a Presley album. Impressive and enjoyable.

SPEEDWAY, is a fast paced, fun loving, Elvis flick that just happens to "tickle me". Sorry, couldn't resist.

Pairing Elvis Presley with Nancy Sinatra may have sounded good on paper, but there is no chemistry on celluloid. In all fairness, not even Ann-Margret could have redeemed "Speedway." There are a few good songs (especially Elvis' classic "Let Yourself Go") and the stock-car footage is fairly enjoyable. Otherwise, strictly Formula One. Released in June 1968, "Speedway" gave little indication of the triumphant Presley comeback just around the corner.

ENTERTAINING film with a GREAT looking cover! LETTER-BOXED and restored! I love reading all of the negative reviews here on AMAZON...shows it takes all kinds of people to make a world. These films were made for ELVIS fans and to be ENTERTAINING...I have no idea how someone could even compare ELVIS and NANCY SINATRA to BEN and JENNIFER LOPEZ?

One of those Presley movies that even the diehards have no time for - yet another "formula" flick. But this one, like many Elvis movies, deserves an objective second chance: there are alot of surprises here. Probably the most interesting is the rare occasion that elements of Elvis' real life are reflected in his movie character - it is well-known that he was hopefully generous, to the delight and sometimes consternation of many. In the movie he constantly goes out on a limb to help down and people. I thought that was a nice touch. Also, the fact that he does NOT win the (well-edited) race at the end, and good-naturedly uses that result as an excuse to really rock it up back at the club with a delirious cast number. Another positive is the teaming of Elvis & Nancy. They handle the lighthearted proceedings nicely. It should also be pointed out that Nancy Sinatra's career was at a peak when made this movie! Speaking of the music, we can certainly hear a revitalized Presley - especially on the title tune and the closer he really lets loose. (There is a remarkable difference in these cuts and the previous "Clambake" session.) The film yielded a minor country hit, "Your Time..", as well.

Elvis Presley plays a race car driver who finds himself in hot water with the IRS in Speedway (1968). Like many of Presley's films, the story is lightweight and kind of silly, but scenes shot at a real race track featuring some well-known stock car drivers helps to spice things up. There are also a couple of big rousing production numbers, and of course a number of pretty girls. The supporting cast is strong, as Presley is teamed with Bill Bixby (My Favorite Martian, The Incredible Hulk), and singer Nancy Sinatra is his love interest.

Stock car driver Steve Grayson (Presley) is on a winning streak, however due to his manager Kenny Donford (Bixby) mishandling his finances, Grayson finds that he owes Uncle Sam a huge sum in back taxes. Susan Jacks (Sinatra) is an IRS field agent assigned to Grayson's case, and together with her boss R.W. Hepworth (Gale Gordon), they come up with a plan whereby Grayson can begin to pay off his obligations.

Being a generous guy, while he thought that he was in good financial shape, Steve had helped out a number of his friends, including Abel Esterlake (William Schallert), a single father who is raising five little girls, who now have no place to stay. In need of some quick cash to help his friends, Steve convinces the IRS to go along with his scheme to try and raise some dough. Now all Steve needs to do is win the next race.

The tax angle and racing elements, add a little more substance and excitement this comedic adventure. Bill Bixby is a real skirt chaser here, but his inherent charm still comes through, and he works very well with Elvis. Acting doesn't seem to be Nancy Sinatra's strength, but she gets by, and has a featured musical number. With a long history playing a tightfisted banker on The Lucy Show, Gale Gordon is an easy fit as an IRS supervisor. Carl Ballantine (McHale's Navy), provides some laughs as Steve's chief mechanic Birdie Kebner. Beverly Powers plays Mary Ann Ashman, Miss Charlotte Speedway 100, who spends time with both Presley and Bixby.

If you enjoy Elvis' musical comedies, this is a recommended watch. While not spectacular, the cast is solid, there are some decent songs, and the race track setting is utilized fairly well.

We usually expect things to get worse towards the end of a career, in this case Elvis' Hollywood career. But after a low during 1965-67 things were actually getting better again for Elvis the actor. The fact that his later films didn't get much (if any) attention compared to his earlier musicals is mainly because people by then expected them to be bad in advance. So they got featured with movies like "The Green Slime", which actually didn't make them any more attractive as one can imagine. Still, films like Live a Little, Love a Little, the underrated The Trouble with Girls, Change of Habit and even Stay Away, Joe are in fact pretty enjoyable.

So is "Speedway". Being the last of the classical sub-genre "Elvis movie" it brings an era to its end. Cast by MGM as a race car driver for the third time in four years, Elvis doesn't re-invent the genre. HIs movies never had the influence on Hollywood like his recordings had on rock and pop music history. But although this movie is far from being a towering moment in film making it still succeeds in a very worthy way.

The script is tight for an Elvis movie with some nice one-liners and strong dialogues. Director Norman Taurog truly makes the best out of it in his second to last movie ever (the last one being "Live a Little"). The pace of "Speedway" is as tight as the photography of some late 1960ies stock car races, featuring some popular drivers of the time. The soundtrack is pretty good, too, with "Let Yourself Go" being so strong that it was included in Elvis' famous Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special.

But what REALLY makes this movie work is the supporting cast with Bill Bixby being Elvis' best male co-star, second to arguably only Gary Lockwood ( "2001 - A Space Odyssey) from It Happened at the World's Fair (1963). They have a great chemistry and their comedy timing is simply perfect. Noteworthy are also Gale Gordon, William Schallert and Carl Ballantine. Nancy Sinatra isn't as good and convincing as Ann Margret was in Viva Las Vegas (Deluxe Edition) four years before. She doesn't really add much to the movie but at least she doesn't get in the way. ^^ She remains the only artist to have a song of her own on an Elvis soundtrack album, though.

"Speedway" is fun to watch with its late 1960ies looks and some fine gimmicks such as the "Hang Out" that inspired Quentin Tarantino's "Jack Rabbit Slim's" from "Pulp Fiction". If you're looking for an Elvis movie to watch this is definitely a recommendation. I'm almost sure you'll like it. At least there worse ways to spend 90 minutes on, say, a rainy Sunday afternoon. Like I said in the title to this review: I didn't remember it being THAT good...