1h 49min | Comedy, Musical, Romance | 11 April 1962
Director: Gordon Douglas
Stars: Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, Anne Helm, Joanna Moore.
5 songs in the Soundtracks, all sung by EP alone.
This is my absolute favorite EP film. He plays a character so naive yet wise that he sees the truth in any situation. His father, AO, believes in getting the most pleasure out of life for the least effort, and that he's helping the government do its duty by his taking relief, disability and unemployment insurance. He does give a good speech to the highway commissioner about his focus on helping the People getting in the way of helping actual persons.
Together EP & AO thwart gangsters and multiple government officials (including a lecherous social worker who makes a very inappropriate advance), and secured a loan from a banker charmed by EP's honesty (and a fishing encounter.)
A beautiful white beach and cute children round out the appeal, not to mention EP's singing.
Previously rated 8, I'm staying with that today.
The Mirisch Corp., distr. UA, dir. Douglas; 8
