PARADISE HAWAIIAN STYLE

US, 1966, 91 minutes, Colour.
Elvis Presley, Susannah Leigh, James Shigeta.
Directed by Michael D.Moore.

Paradise Hawaiian Style is just one of Elvis Presley's many musicals - 31 in all. It is, in some ways, a reprise of one of his most popular films, Blue Hawaii.

However, the most attractive aspect of the film for the general audience is the excellent aerial photography of Hawaii which recurs right through the film. Elvis looks quite a bit older and larger - his popularity in films was nearing its end. There is pleasant support from a popular cast led by James Shigeta. It follows the usual Presley film pattern.

1. The popularity of Elvis Presley - songs, rhythms, screen personality? An enjoyable Presley vehicle?

2. Location photography, the quality of the aerial photography, the beauty of Hawaii? The musical score, the local songs, the ballads, Elvis' performance, the support in the songs - especially from Donna Butterworth?

3, The title and its focus on Hawaii - Elvis involved in the tourist business, the film as a tourist plea for Hawaii?

4. Elvis as Rick - returning from the army, a way with girls, his contacts all over the island for the tourist planes? Getting him in trouble with girls? His friendship with Dan? The setting up of the firm? Judy and her work, pretending she was married - and his seeing through it? Friendship with Dan's children? The various trips - and the comedy with the dogs? Scaring the investigator off the road? His selfishness, anger at being grounded, going to Danny's rescue? The party and his restoration? His performances? The typical image of the Elvis character of the '60s?

5. Danny and his wife, family, Hawaiians, running the firm, friendship with Rick, exasperation at him? The clash, the accident, the rescue?

6. Judy and her work, clashes with Rick, protecting herself, her telling him off, the happy reconciliation?

7. The gallery of girls - Americans, Hawaiians, Chinese - and the romantic comedy?

8. The gallery of characters - the shoe salesman, the investigator, the people at the bar, the fights, the locals and their celebrations?

16. The flavour of Hawaii - tourist-style?