Everyone Missed These Blue Hawaii Blo
Elvis in Blue Hawaii
Elvis Presley starred in Blue Hawaii (1961), one of his most iconic musical films.
While fans loved it, some critics gave mixed reviews. Still, it became the 10th top-grossing film of 1961, earning $4.2 million.
Elvis’s charm, comedy, and music carried the movie, with a lively soundtrack that became a blueprint for future Presley films.
Behind the Scenes
Elvis’s character, Chad Gates, often sang at random moments—like “rowing the boat or lounging on the
beach.” Filming wasn’t easy; “He was obviously uncomfortable with what he was doing,” said Anne Fulchino, a publicity director. “The emotion I respected most was that he was ashamed of it… but you could see that he was trapped.”
On-Set Moments
Fans crowded filming locations, and Elvis even played a prank pretending to be dead. He also took golf tips from Gary Player, who joked, “It was like a cow giving birth to a roll of barbwire.”
