Follow That Dream Released April 11th 1962 (July - December 1962 Europe) Mirisch Company / United Artists   110 minutes Produced by Walter Mirisch Directed by Gordon Douglas Music by Hans J. Salter Written by Richard P. Powell (novel) Charles Lederer (screenwriter)

Story:

A wandering hillbilly-type 'family' adopted by Pop Kwimper and his son Toby, played by Elvis, run out of money and gas. They set up their mobile home on a Florida beach right next to a new highway that is shortly to be opebed and dedicated by the State Governor. Existing only on government subsidies and his army disability pension, Toby has to find a way to make enough money to get them on the move again. The solution is provided by 19 year old Holly, who looks after the identical twins Eddy and Teddy, when she persuades big businessmen looking for game fishing that the area is full of giant Tarpon and they make a tidy sum supplying bait, tackle and food.

Notes:

Studio title: Pioneer Goes Home
The title 'Follow That Dream' was allegedly chosen because the songwriters could not find a suitable rhyme for "pioneer".
A part of SR40 was re-named "Follow that Dream Highway" in honour of this movie having been filmed there.
Alicia: "Did anyone ever tell you that you are very handsome?" Toby ( Elvis ): "Only girls…"

Songs:

What A Wonderful Life / I'm Not The Marrying Kind / Sound Advice / Follow That Dream / Angel
'Angel' appeared on the EP instead of 'Sound Advice' which was placed on the compilation album 'Elvis for Everyone'. A sixth soundtrack song, 'A Whistling Tune', was saved to be used in the next film. Presley sang a bit of 'On Top of Old Smokey' in the film but the recording was made on the movie set.

Kid Galahad Released August 11th 1962 (premiere) August 29th 1962 (general) Mirisch Company / United Artists   96 minutes Produced by David Weisbart Directed by Phil Karlson Music by Jeff Alexander Written by Francis Wallace and William Fay

Story:

Walter Goolie returns home from the army planning a new life for himself. To get some stake money for his planned auto repair shop he takes a job at Grogan's Gaelic Gardens as a sparring partner. He shows real talent by knocking out one of Willy's top fighters and is groomed as a potential title-winner. Walter starts training as 'Kid Galahad' under the guidance of Lew, one of Willy's top men, but Willy is less than impressed when his younger sister shows up and falls for Walter, who he thinks is not good enough for her. Galahad has a number of fights, undefeated, but in his biggest fight gangsters try to get him to throw the result in order to pay off Willy's debts. Willy and Walter sort out the mobsters together and Galahad goes out to win the fight and Willy's blessing for his romance with Rose.

Notes:

The film is a remake of the original 1937 version that starred Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart and was directed by Michael Curtiz, who also directed the 1958 Elvis film 'King Creole'.

Songs:

King Of The Whole Wide World / This Is Living / Riding The Rainbow / Home Is Where The Heart Is / I Got Lucky / A Whistling Tune (originally written for the film 'Follow That Dream')

Girls! Girls! Girls! Released November 21st 1962 (January 1963 - May 1964 Europe) Hal Wallis Productions / Paramount Pictures     106 minutes Produced by Hal B. Wallis Directed by Norman Taurog Music by Joseph J. Lilley Written by Allan Weiss (story) and with Edward Anhalt (screenplay)

Story:

Elvis Presley plays Ross Carpenter, a struggling fishing guide whose father had to sell their boat, the 'West Wind' which they built together and which he still operates. When he finds out his boss is retiring to Arizona, he tries to find a way to buy it back. Ross is caught in a love triangle with two women: insensitive club singer Robin and sweet Laurel. When Wesley Johnson, the boat's owner, makes a play for Laurel, Ross hits him and loses his chance of getting the boat. Laurel, however, is not who she pretends to be and Ross has to choose between them...

Notes:

Working titles included 'A Girl in Every Port', 'Welcome Aboard' and 'Gumbo Ya-Ya'. Nominated for Best Motion Picture - Musical at the 1963 Golden Globes Awards (the only Elvis film to receive a Golden Globe nomination). Elvis received a 2nd place Laurel Award for Best Male Performance in a Musical for his role in this movie. In a scene outside the Pirates Den, two movie posters can be seen featuring Blue Hawaii. Elvis performs his only tango song, 'The Walls Have Ears', in this movie.

Songs:

Girls! Girls! Girls! / I Don't Wanna Be Tied / We'll Be Together / A Boy Like Me A Girl Like You / Earth Boy / Return To Sender / Because Of Love / Thanks To The Rolling Sea / Song Of The Shrimp / The Walls Have Ears / We're Coming In Loaded / Dainty Little Moonbeams / Never Let Me Go / The Nearness Of You / Baby Baby Baby