Kissin' Cousins

Released March 6th 1964 (August 1964 UK)

Four-Leaf Productions / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer   96 minutes

Produced by Sam Katzman

Directed by Gene Nelson

Music by Fred Karger

Written by Gerald Drayson Adams & Gene Nelson

Story:

The U.S. Air Force, who want to build a base on Smoky Mountain, are met with a hostile reception from the hillbillies that own it. Josh Morgan, a public relations officer finds that he is related to Jodie Tatum, one of the hillbillies who lives there ( both played by Elvis ), and is his exact double. He uses this to go in undercover and try to persuade Pappy Tatum that selling the mountain is a good idea. A local newspaper reporter gets a tip about the Army’s attempts at building a base and goes to investigate, getting a photo of Morgan in his jeep with the headline, “Anyone for missiles?” much to the captain’s dismay. In the meantime, General Donford shows up with his men to try and get the deal done, only to be forced to drink moonshine, eat possum tails and fall prey to the 'Kittyhawks'. Best scene is when all the predictably gorgeous mountain girls try on their presents, bought by Josh - bikinis, of course.

Notes:

Maureen Reagan - daughter of Ronald - appears in a non-speaking part as one of the 'Kittyhawks'. Screenwriters Gene Nelson and Gerald Drayson Adams were nominated by the Writers Guild of America in the category of best written musical for their screenplay.
There were two different title songs used in the movie. Lance LeGault served as a double and stand-in for Presley's dual roles.

Songs:

Kissin' Cousins / Smokey Mountain Boy / One Boy Two Little Girls / Catchin' On Fast / Tender Feeling / Barefoot Ballad / Once Is Enough / Pappy Won't You Please Come Home

Viva Las Vegas

Jack Cummings Productions
Winter Hollywood Entertainment Holdings Corporation
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer   85 minutes

Produced by Jack Cummings & George Sidney

Directed by George Sidney

Music by George E. Stoll         Written by Sally Benson

Story:

Lucky Jackson, a sports-car racer planning to be a world champion driver, goes to Las Vegas to take part in the city's first annual Grand Prix but has to work as a waiter in a hotel and win a talent contest to replace the money for his car's engine after losing all his cash when he is pushed into a hotel pool by Rusty. Devious sabotage attempts by Italian Count Elmo Mancini, who has also entered the race and vies for Rusty's affections, put him and Lucky at loggerheads, culminating in a head to head battle during the race itself. Romantic interest is supplied by Rusty Martin who gets her car fixed at the workshop and then mysteriously disappears before Lucky can get her name or phone number. Lucky and his mechanic Shorty turn the town inside out trying to find her again.

Notes:

Working Title: 'Only Girl in Town'. In Great Britain the movie and soundtrack were sold as 'Love In Las Vegas' as there was another movie called Viva Las Vegas being shown in British cinemas at the same time. Box office receipts of $9,442,967 were higher than The Beatles' first movie, 'A Hard Day's Night', which was released worldwide two months later, earning $6,165,000 (£2,500,000). Elvis received a third place 1965 Laurel Award for best male performance in a musical film. The film also received the 1965 runner-up Laurel Award for best musical of 1964. The scene where Elvis sings Viva Las Vegas is performed in one single unedited shot - the only known example of this in all his films. The wedding scene was shot at the Little Church of the West, a famous chapel in Las Vegas listed on the U.S. National Registry of Historical Places as the oldest existing structure on the Las Vegas Strip.

Songs:

The Yellow Rose Of Texas ; The Eyes Of Texas / C'mon Everybody / You'll Always Be / What'd I Say / Santa Lucia ; If You Think I Don't Need You / Viva Las Vegas / I Need Somebody To Lean On / The Lady Loves Me / Appreciation / My Rival

Roustabout

Hal Wallis Productions / Paramount Pictures   101 minutes

Produced by Hal B. Wallis

Directed by John Rich

Music by Joseph J. Lilley

Written by Allan Weiss (story), Anthony Lawrence and Allan Weiss

Story:

Charlie Rogers is a wandering tough guy who can sing a bit but has police trouble and a bit of a chip on his shoulder from being an orphan. He's fired from a singing engagement after getting into a fight with a group of college boys and takes to the road to find another job. When his motorbike is accidentally run off the road by carnival owner Maggie Morgan, he is offered work as a roustabout until he can get his bike fixed. The carnival has been having considerable financial difficulties but things soon pick up when the local females start attending to hear the new arrival sing. However, his popularity isn't to everybody's liking and, although he falls for Joe's daughter, Cathy, he still has a selfish attitude and cynical outlook which stand in the way of romance. After an argument, he is tempted by an offer from a rival owner to leave Maggie's small carnival operation, apparently dooming it to financial failure before things are eventually worked out and the story ends with Elvis on friendly terms with all the carnies who had come to hate him earlier in the film.

Notes:

Working Title: 'Right This Way Folks!'. Teri Garr can also be seen as a backup dancer during several musical numbers. This was one of Raquel Welch's first movie appearances.

Songs:

Poison Ivy League / Wheels On My Heels / It's A Wonderful World / Carnival Time / Carny Town / One-Track Heart / Hard Knocks / Little Egypt / Big Love Big Heartache / There's A Brand New Day On The Horizon