Blue Hawaii
Directed by Norman Taurog
Written by Hal Kanter; story by Allan Weiss
1961/USA
Hal Wallis Productions
First viewing?/Netflix rental
[box] Fred Gates: Sarah Lee, how many times do I have to tell you, he was not in a war.
Sarah Lee Gates: I know you’re right, Daddy, but if I don’t tell myself there was a war, I have a most depressive feeling Chadwick’s just wasted two years.[/box]
This is all you would expect from a movie starring Elvis and set in Hawaii.
Chad (Elvis) is discharged from the army and returns home to Hawaii. His faithful half-Polynesian girlfriend Maile (Joan Blackman) s waiting for him. Chad’s first priority and fondest wish is to return to his former life as a beach bum. His mother (Angela Landsbury) is dead set on him entering the family’s pineapple business. Chad refuses.
He gets a job as a tourist guide. His first assignment is to squire four teenage girls and their teacher around Hawaii. Naturally, this provides many opportunities for misunderstandings with Maile, beautiful scenery, and occasions at which the singer can perform – some times with a Hawaiian band.
The mother of one of my childhood friends was a huge Elvis fan and the soundtrack to this movie was on constant rotation at her house. This has left me with a residual fondness for all the songs, most of which are admittedly pretty bland. If you know what you are in for, it’s a perfectly pleasant way to spend an afternoon.
Trailer
