Joan Blackman

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Elvis Movies: BLUE HAWAII

After an eight month break, I am continuing my rewatch of Elvis Presley movies. Next up in the random sequence is Blue Hawaii – his eighth movie. Except for the Elvis: That’s The Way It Is documentary, I’ve probably seen this one more than any of the others.

“Ecstatic romance … Exotic dances … Exciting music in the world’s lushest paradise of song!”

Blue Hawaii (Paramount)
Wide Release: November 22, 1961 (United States)
Starring: Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury
Screenplay By: Hal Kanter
Story By: Allan Weiss
Music Score By: Joseph J. Lilley
Produced By: Hal B. Wallis
Directed By: Norman Taurog
Running Time: 101 Minutes

Just before filming began on Blue Hawaii, Elvis performed a benefit concert for the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. It would prove to be his last live performance until the June 1968 shows captured for the ELVIS television special (NBC) and his August 1969 concert series at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.

Elvis Presley is Chad Gates in 1961’s BLUE HAWAII (Paramount)

In Blue Hawaii, Elvis stars as Chadwick Gates – and I can’t even get started on this post without noting that if there was ever a less Elvis character name than “Chadwick” in one of his movies, I sure don’t know what it is. Anyway, after a 2-year stint in the U.S. Army, where he served in Europe, Chad returns to Kahalo, Hawaii, where he has lived for the last 15 years with his parents. His father is an executive at the Great Southern Hawaiian Fruit Company, and Chad’s entire future has been neatly laid out for him there – mostly by his mother.

Chadwick’s mother has entire life plotted out for him in 1961’s BLUE HAWAII (Paramount)

Chad is having none of it, though. Instead, he hides out for a week at a beach shack until his father gets word through Chad’s girlfriend, Maile Duval, that he needs to come home before his mother finds out. The return home does not go well, particularly for the audience.

This is where we are introduced to one of the most annoying characters in any Elvis movie ever: Chad’s mother, Mrs. Sarah Lee Gates – portrayed by Angela Lansbury, who was only nine years older than Elvis.

Angela Lansbury is Mrs. Sarah Lee Gates and Elvis Presley is Chad Gates in 1961’s BLUE HAWAII (Paramount)

Mrs. Gates is from Georgia, and, as much as the Hawaiian portrayals in this film unfortunately are often stereotypes, so, too, is Blue Hawaii‘s portrayal of a Southerner. Mrs. Gates, of course, has to speak in an over-the-top Southern accent, call her husband “Daddy,” and bring up the Civil War, including a required reference to General “Stonewall” Jackson of the Confederacy. She also notes embarrassment around the fact that a war hero relative was a “Yankee” (i.e., he fought for the North/Union, rather than the South/Confederacy).

Mrs. Gates is alcoholic, racist, classist, and just all around insufferable.

All that said, Roland Winters, who plays Mr. Fred Gates, Chad’s father, does an excellent job playing off of Lansbury’s outlandishness. Winters gets two of the funniest lines of the movie – in two separate scenes. In the first, Mr. Gates has just commented to his wife that Maile is pretty.

Mrs. Gates: “Daddy, aren’t you forgetting yourself?”
Mr. Gates: “I’m trying, Mother. I’m trying.”

Later, Chad storms out of the house after an argument with his parents.

Mrs. Gates: “Oh, Daddy, what did we do wrong?”
Mr. Gates: “Offhand, I’d say, we got married.”

Maile is portrayed by Joan Blackman. The character’s father is French and mother is Hawaiian. Blackman and Elvis often seem wooden together in Blue Hawaii, though they would have much better chemistry in the following year’s Kid Galahad.

Joan Blackman is Maile Duval in 1961’s BLUE HAWAII (Paramount)

Shunning the fruit company, Chad instead decides to become a tourist guide and is soon hired by Floyd the Barber (Howard McNear), who owns the tourism company where Maile works. Okay, it’s not really Floyd the Barber, but Mr. Chapman does appear otherwise to be the exact same character that the beloved McNear played on the Andy Griffith Show from 1961 to 1967.

Howard McNear is Mr. Chapman and Elvis Presley is Chad Gates in 1961’s BLUE HAWAII (Paramount)

Chad’s first assignment? Escorting an attractive schoolteacher and four teenage girls around Hawaii, naturally. Jealousy and hilarity ensues. Well, jealousy anyway.

Jennie Maxwell’s portrayal of angry teenager Ellie Corbett soon livens up the movie, including this zinger she launches at Chad: “I believe you’re being paid to show us a good time. When does it start?”

Jennie Maxwell is Ellie Corbett and Elvis Presley is Chad Gates in 1961’s BLUE HAWAII (Paramount)

Considering that Blue Hawaii is his eighth movie overall and his fourth since returning from the Army in real life, Elvis’ acting is disappointingly poor several times – particularly when he does this high-pitched yelling thing that he tends to revert to in his movies when he seems uncomfortable in a scene (e.g., “I’ll getcha!” in one of the scenes of this movie).

I suspect director Norman Taurog was simply not focused on getting the best acting performance out of Elvis, and Hal Kanter’s flimsy script doesn’t help matters, either. Elvis had natural talent as a singer and musician, but he should have taken acting classes to hone his craft if he was serious about making films. 1957’s King Creole had already proven what Elvis could do under the guidance of an inspiring director (Michael Curtiz).

While Elvis may stumble on the acting side at times in Blue Hawaii, he brings his A-game on the music side. There are a number of stone-cold classic songs here, especially “Can’t Help Falling In Love” – which he sings in a beautiful version to Maile’s grandmother on her 78th birthday.

Years later, Elvis would reminisce about another musical highlight, saying, “We did a movie called Blue Hawaii, and in the movie, there was a song called the ‘Hawaiian Wedding Song,’ and it was so real, it took me two years before I realized, it was just a movie.”

Hawaii is the real star of 1961’s BLUE HAWAII (Paramount)

Blue Hawaii has some highlights, including the idyllic locations, great music, and a sense of escapism, but overall, it feels like a missed opportunity. Its subsequent success at the box office, however, would help lock Elvis into mostly similar movies going forward.

Boldly Go

Frank Atienza, who played Ito O’Hara in Blue Hawaii, later played a Kohn villager in “The Omega Glory” (1968) episode of Star Trek.

Frank Atienza is Ito O’Hara and Elvis Presley is Chad Gates in 1961’s BLUE HAWAII (Paramount)

Frank Atienza (far right) is a Kohn villager in the 1968 STAR TREK episode “The Omega Glory” (Paramount)

Ron Veto, who has an uncredited role as a Hawaiian in Blue Hawaii, later appeared in numerous Star Trek episodes as a member of the crew of the USS Enterprise as well as other uncredited roles on the show.

Blue Hawaii Tote Board

  • Punches: 21+
  • Songs: 15
  • Kisses: 13

Songs In Blue Hawaii

  1. “Blue Hawaii” (1961), written by Leo Robin & Ralph Rainger
  2. “Almost Always True” (1961), written by Fred Wise & Ben Weisman
  3. “Aloha Oe” (1961), written by Queen Liliuokalani
  4. “Hawaiian Beach Chant (Slap Happy/Shave And A Hair Cut)” (1961) [performed twice], performed by the Surfers, written by unknown
  5. “No More” (1961), written by Don Robertson & Hal Blair, based on “La Paloma” by Sebastián Iradier
  6. “Can’t Help Falling In Love” (1961), written by George Weiss, Hugo Peretti, & Luigi Creatore, based on the classical composition “Plaisir d’Amour” by Giovanni Martini
  7. “Rock-A-Hula Baby” (1961), written by Fred Wise, Ben Weisman, & Florence Kay
  8. “Moonlight Swim” (1961), written by Sylvia Dee & Ben Weisman
  9. “Ku-U-I-Po” (1961), written by George Weiss, Hugo Peretti, & Luigi Creatore
  10. “Ito Eats” (1961), written by Sid Tepper & Roy C. Bennett
  11. “Slicin’ Sand” (1961), written by Sid Tepper & Roy C. Bennett
  12. “Hawaiian Sunset” (1961), written by Sid Tepper & Roy C. Bennett
  13. “Beach Boy Blues” (1961), written by Sid Tepper & Roy C. Bennett
  14. “Island Of Love” (1961), written by Sid Tepper & Roy C. Bennett
  15. “Hawaiian Wedding Song (Ke Kali Nei Au)” (1961), written by Charles E. King, Al Hoffman, & Dick Manning

The Mystery Train’s Blue Hawaii Scorecard

  • Story: 2 (out of 10)
  • Acting: 3
  • Fun: 7
  • Songs: 8
  • Overall: 5 (For Elvis Fans Only)

Blue Hawaii Around The Web

 

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT

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Elvis Movies: KID GALAHAD

Before we get started with the main feature, I want to take a brief moment to remind you that Baz Luhrmann’s ELVIS movie begins playing next week in many locations around the world. Based on the trailers, the attention to detail looks amazing. I love that this trailer throws in a couple of brief shots of the real Elvis as well.

I have also watched and read a few interviews with Austin Butler, who plays Elvis Presley, and he seems completely invested in the role. Many actors have tried and mostly failed to fill Elvis’ shoes before him, but this 30-year-old really seems to have discovered his spirit. We’ll find out soon.

As I’ve said before, after seeing so many horrible attempts to tell the Elvis Presley story in the past, I never even thought I’d watch this movie at all, much less go to the theater opening weekend as I’m now planning to do. The trailer above concludes with “Suspicious Minds (Caught In A Trap),” my mom’s favorite song. She would have been excited to see this movie with me and, though she passed away over three years ago now, I know she’ll be there next to me.

Continuing my rewatch of movies featuring the real Elvis Presley, next up is Kid Galahad – his 10th movie. I have only seen this one a couple of times before.

“Presley Packs the Screen’s Biggest Wallop…with the Gals…with the Gloves…with the Guitar!”

Kid Galahad (United Artists)
Wide Release: August 29, 1962 (United States)
Starring: Elvis Presley, Gig Young, Lola Albright, Joan Blackman
Screenplay By: William Fay
Story By: Francis Wallace
Music Score By: Jeff Alexander
Produced By: Davis Weisbart
Directed By: Phil Karlson
Running Time: 96 Minutes

Sugarboy Romero (Orlando de la Fuente) faces off against Kid Galahad (Elvis Presley) in the climax of 1962's KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Sugarboy Romero (Orlando de la Fuente) faces off against Kid Galahad (Elvis Presley) in the climax of 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Elvis Presley stars as Walter Gulick in Kid Galahad. After a stint in the Army, Walter returns to his hometown of Cream Valley, New York, for the first time since becoming an orphan at 14-months-old. The 22-year-old is looking for a job fixing cars, but since he arrives too early in the morning for the auto shop to be open, he naturally checks out a nearby boxing camp instead to see if they need a mechanic.

The fictitious Cream Valley, New York, coincidentally enough, looks remarkably like Idyllwild, California. I suppose that’s better than trying to pass off California as Europe, at least. “Cream Valley” – the name sounds like a magical place where they make salad dressing or something like that.

Shockingly enough, the boxing camp doesn’t need a mechanic. However, Walter does find a job there as a sparring partner. It turns out his Army background has provided him with both auto repair and boxing experience.

As a sparring parter, Walter is a bit of a failure. He stands there and takes a beating from the fighter – over 70 punches. Walter doesn’t try to defend himself or even at first throw any punches in return. He finally throws one punch, proceeding to knock out the now worn-out fighter. While this doesn’t make for a great sparring partner, the boxing camp’s owner, Willy (Gig Young), sees dollar signs and soon puts Walter on the professional boxing circuit.

Several movies before this one, the screenplay adaptation of A Stone For Danny Fisher was changed once Elvis was attached to the project such that the boxer lead character became a singer instead. That 1958 movie, one of Elvis’ best performances as an actor, was also eventually renamed King Creole, after one of the songs in the film.

A few years later, in Kid Galahad, Elvis finally got his chance to play a boxer. According to longtime friend Sonny West, if Elvis had his way, he would have reunited with King Creole director Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) on this film, which was produced in late 1961. Curtiz had also directed the original 1937 version of Kid Galahad, starring Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis, and Humphrey Bogart. Despite Elvis’ campaign, Phil Karlson received the directing nod instead. Curtiz passed away in April 1962 at the age of 74.

Willy (Gig Young) and Lew (Charles Bronson) listen as Walter (Elvis Presley) sings "Riding The Rainbow" while driving a Model T Ford in 1962's KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Willy (Gig Young) and Lew (Charles Bronson) listen as Walter (Elvis Presley) sings “Riding The Rainbow” in a Model T Ford in 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Charles Bronson appears in Kid Galahad as Lew, who acts as Walter’s trainer. Lew seems genuinely enamored of “the kid” and tries to look out for him. Bronson does a terrific job in this role and is a highlight of the film. This is apparently one of the few movies where Bronson smiles – and he smiles early and often in Kid Galahad.

Elvis Presley is Walter Gulick in 1962's KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Elvis Presley is Walter Gulick in 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Willy, it turns out, has gambling and other problems that are putting his boxing camp in jeopardy. A mobster leaves two thugs to stay at the camp for insurance.

When Ralphie (Jeff Morris), one of the goons, makes an unwanted advance at Willy’s long-time fiancée, Dolly (Lola Albright), Walter knocks him flat out without even needing to take a beating first this time. “It wouldn’t have happened, but he don’t know how to behave himself with a lady,” explains Walter.

Dolly says, “Thanks, Galahad” to Walter, and the name sticks.

“Dolly, please take the Eagle Scout out of here before Ralphie wakes up and kills him,” quips Lew before they find a loaded gun on Ralphie. Incidentally, I must note that it is hard to take a mafia henchman seriously with a name like “Ralphie.”

Joan Blackman is Rose in 1962's KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Joan Blackman is Rose in 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Willy’s kid sister, Rose (Joan Blackman), travels in from the Bronx to reorganize the camp when he keeps phoning her for money. She owns half of the business, apparently an inheritance from their father. Galahad is immediately all googly eyes for her. Blackman had appeared with Elvis before in Blue Hawaii, and the pair here manage to show more chemistry together than they did in that 1961 movie – which is admittedly a pretty low bar.

Willy is not too happy when the couple gets engaged. “You can’t yell loud enough to make me shut up,” Galahad tells him during a heated argument. “I’m not marrying Rose because she’s your sister, Willy, but in spite of it.”

Hearing the ruckus, Dolly intervenes and asks Willy what’s wrong as he is about to punch Galahad. “What’s the matter with me? This cream-headed clown wants to marry my sister, that’s what’s the matter with me,” he answers.

The long-suffering Dolly delivers this stinger, causing Willy to storm off: “Well, at least he’s not asking her to hang around for three or four years, Willy.”

Soon enough, Dolly leaves Willy (what is with the names in this movie?). This exchange is one of my favorites in the film – great acting from Lola Albright. Dolly at first seems happily surprised when Willy appears to give in, thinking he is finally going to marry her – but then realization dawns and she becomes sad again.

Dolly: “It’s just that you and marriage have never learned to mix.”
Willy: “All right.”
Dolly: “‘All right’ what?”
Willy: “I’ll lay you 3-to-1, angel, I never bet on another horse. … What’s the matter? What did I do now?”
Dolly: “You’ll probably never know. Excuse me.”

Lew (Charles Bronson) holds up an old poster found advertising 1921's Dempsey vs. Carpentier fight in 1962's KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Lew (Charles Bronson) holds up an old poster found advertising 1921’s Dempsey vs. Carpentier fight in 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

In a fun, blink-and-you-miss-it moment, Galahad tosses Lew an old boxing poster he found. The poster advertises a real match that took place on July 2, 1921: Jack Dempsey vs. Georges Carpentier – “the fight of the century.” The event was over 40 years old at the time of Kid Galahad and is, of course, over 100 years old now.

Galahad proves an unexpected success in boxing. He uses the same strategy each time – stand and take a beating for awhile and then throw one punch to knock out the other fighter. He identifies himself as being from Cream Valley, and the little town loves him for it. One of the locals notes, “All these other muscleheads up here, not one of them said he was from Cream Valley.”

I kept expecting a relative or at least an old family friend to show up from Galahad’s past – especially when a priest looks incredulously at his 1939 Cream Valley baptism certificate. Alas, Lew is apparently not Galahad’s long-lost older brother.

Ed Asner is Frank Gerson in 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

The legendary Ed Asner makes his first appearance in a feature film in Kid Galahad, playing a district attorney who is trying to get Willy to testify against the mobsters.

Galahad (Elvis Presley) trains with Lew (Charles Bronson) for the big fight in 1962's KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Galahad (Elvis Presley) trains with Lew (Charles Bronson) for the big fight in 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Willy signs Galahad up for a fight against an especially tough opponent, Ramon “Sugarboy” Romero (Orlando de la Fuente), so Lew works hard with him to prepare for the climactic battle. All that’s missing is the Rocky theme.

Speaking of music, most of the songs in Kid Galahad are unfortunately mediocre or worse. Though not mentioned if he learned this skill in the Army as well, Galahad, of course, is a singer.

“I Got Lucky” is a bit of a highlight, including Galahad doing “the Twist” with Rose.

The film’s best song, the clever “King Of The Whole Wide World,” is ruined by jazzy overdubs during the movie’s opening titles. The best version of this song can still be found on 1986’s Return Of The Rocker album – the first release of the extended master including Boots Randolph’s complete saxophone solo.

One thing I will note is, I doubt there are any other boxing movies out there where the fighter who was knocked out in the previous scene invites the guy who just walloped him to sing a song with him. Ah, Elvis Movies, you’ve gotta love them.

Kid Galahad is notable for another reason – Elvis’ hair. This is one of only two color movies for which Elvis did not dye his hair black. Instead, he opted for his natural brown hair.

Elvis Presley is Walter "Kid Galahad" Gulick in 1962's KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Elvis Presley is Walter “Kid Galahad” Gulick in 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Kid Galahad is often enjoyable and certainly stands apart from many of Elvis’ other movies, particularly in terms of effort – most notably with the boxing details. Though it never quite delivers a knockout punch, Kid Galahad is still a winner.

Boldly Go

Michael Dante plays Joie in Kid Galahad and appears as Maab in the 1967 Star Trek episode “Friday’s Child.”

Joie (Michael Dante) spars with Galahad (Elvis Presley) in 1962's KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Joie (Michael Dante) spars with Galahad (Elvis Presley) in 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Michael Dante is Maab in the 1967 STAR TREK episode "Friday's Child" (Paramount)

Michael Dante is Maab in the 1967 STAR TREK episode “Friday’s Child” (Paramount)

In addition, multiple uncredited cast members from Kid Galahad went on to appear in Star Trek, including:

  • Dave Cadiente [Kid Galahad: Boxer | Star Trek: Enterprise Crewmember in “The Tholian Web” (1968) and the Klingon Sergeant in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)]
  • Al Cavens [Kid Galahad: Fight Spectator | Star Trek: Klingon Crewman in “Day Of The Dove” (1968) and Second Fop in “All Our Yesterdays” (1969)]
  • Louie Elias [Kid Galahad: Boxer | Star Trek: Various roles in “Dagger Of The Mind” (1966), “And The Children Shall Lead” (1968), “Is There In Truth No Beauty?” (1968), “The Tholian Web” (1968), and “The Cloud Minders” (1969)]
  • Seamon Glass [Kid Galahad: Boxer | Star Trek: Benton in “Mudd’s Women” (1966)]
  • Gil Perkins [Kid Galahad: Freddie | Star Trek: Slave #3 in “Bread And Circuses” (1968)]
  • Paul Sorensen [Kid Galahad: Joe | Star Trek: Merchantman Captain in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock (1984)]
  • Bill Zuckert [Kid Galahad: O’Grady | Star Trek: Johnny Behan in “Spectre Of The Gun” (1968)]

Honorable mentions:

  • Nick Dimitri [Kid Galahad: Boxer | Various roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in the 1990s]
  • Bert Remsen [Kid Galahad: Max | Kubus in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – “The Collaborator” (1994)]

While researching the various Star Trek connections, I also noticed there are tons of cast and crew crossovers between Kid Galahad and the Rocky movies. I just don’t have the energy to capture them here, so I leave it to a more industrious Elvis or Rocky fan in the future to document them elsewhere.

Elvis Presley is Kid Galahad and Orlando de la Fuente is Sugarboy Romero in 1962’s KID GALAHAD (United Artists)

Kid Galahad Tote Board

  • Punches: 334 (including 11 knockouts)
  • Kisses: 10
  • Songs: 6

Songs In Kid Galahad

  1. “King Of The Whole Wide World” (1961), written by Ruth Batchelor & Bob Roberts
  2. “This Is Living” (1961), written by Fred Wise & Ben Weisman
  3. “Riding The Rainbow” (1961), written by Fred Wise & Ben Weisman
  4. “Home Is Where The Heart Is” (1961), written by Sherman Edwards & Hal David
  5. “I Got Lucky” (1961) [performed twice], written by Dolores Fuller, Fred Wise, & Ben Weisman
  6. “A Whistling Tune” (1961), written by Sherman Edwards & Hal David

The Mystery Train’s Kid Galahad Scorecard

  • Story: 6 (out of 10)
  • Acting: 8
  • Fun: 4
  • Songs: 4
  • Overall: 6 (Worth Watching)

Kid Galahad Around The Web

“I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:26-27