BLUE HAWAII
US, 1961, 101 minutes. Colour.
Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Nancy Walters, Roland Winters, Angela Lansbury, John Archer.
Directed by Norman Taurog.
Blue Hawaii is a pleasant, average Elvis Presley vehicle. It capitalises on his screen persona - genial and with a sense of humour. It capitalises on his singing ability and style - though there is less rock music in this film. There are a number of ballads (including 'Fools Rush In'). It is reminiscent of Presley's career - especially with reference to his overseas military service.
The film uses attractive Hawaiian locations well, has a humorous characterisation by Angela Lansbury as his daffy Southern Belle mother. Joan Blackman is a strong heroine. There are many songs, easy comedy, a touch of drama, a touch of misunderstandings - all in attractive Panavision photography, directed by Norman Taurog, a veteran director from the '30s (Oscar for Skippy)to the '40s and '50s with many Martin and Lewis films and Presley vehicles.
1. The popularity of Elvis Presley? The popularity of his films - concoctions as vehicles for him? Their durability?
2. Attractive Panavision Hawaiian photography? The staging of the songs, choreography? Editing and pace? The songs and their insertion into the film - rock and ballads?
3. The use of Hawaiian locations, Chad returning home, Millie at home on the island, tourism, the wealthy families, snobbery, racial prejudice? Tourists? Tourist attractions?
4. Chad - Elvis Presley's personable style, the return from, military service, the relationship with Millie, the beach boy friends, the love of the surfboards, the delay in returning home, the clash with his father, his absentminded and affected, silly mother, his reacting against them, getting the job, the absentminded employer, working - well with Abigail Prentiss and her girls, the tourism, the girls throwing themselves at him? Abigail and Jack falling in love, Millie's jealousy? The reconciliation - and his standing on his own feet?
5. Millie and her work on the island, a strong and attractive heroine, a touch of the jealousies, supporting Chad? her grandmother and the island traditions? Chad's mother and her snobbery?
6. Sarah Lee and the Southern Belle and her stupidity, absentmindedness, affectedness? Angela Lansbury's spoofing of this kind of character? Chad's father as a more serious character?
7. Abigail Prentiss, the girls and their reactions, the bored rich girl with several parents and her reactions, throwing herself at Chad, her wanting to drown herself, her being brought out of herself? The group's tour and the occasion for a lot of Hawaiian folklore and stories?
8. The genial atmosphere of the film - the wholesome American musical comedy of the early 1960s?
