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| Elvis with a not-quite-regulation haircut |
G. I. BLUES (1960). Director: Norman Taurog.
Soldier Tulsa McLean (Elvis Presley) and his buddies Cookie (Robert Ivers) and Rick (James Douglas) have a combo and hope to raise money to open their own nightclub back in the states. In Frankfurt Tulsa is importuned to try and win some money by taking part in a bet: he has to thaw out an ice maiden, a dancer named Lily (Juliet Prowse) and "be alone with her." Reluctantly, Tulsa begins romancing Lily, but he finds her so charming and attractive that guilt sets in. As Cookie and Rick deal with their own lovely ladies, Tina (Leticia Roman of The Spy in the Green Hat) and Marla (Sigrid Maier), Tulsa debates whether or not to break it off with Lily. But is he falling in love?
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| Juliet Prowse and Robert Ivers |
While it is true that
G. I. Blues is one of Presley's formula musicals, it is so well done and so entertaining that I can see why it was popular with both Elvis fans and many others. The songs, not all of which are rock numbers, are snappy and engaging; these include the title tune, "The Frankfurt Special," "Midsummer Night's Dream," "Wooden Heart," "Rainbow" and others. I wouldn't be surprised if the soundtrack album sold like hot cakes. Presley delivers all of these songs with his trademark swagger and charisma as well as total command of his performing abilities.
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| Elvis sings a lullaby for adorable baby |
As for his supporting players, Prowse is excellent, displaying not only gorgeous legs and figure but wonderful dancing skills, which she shows off in two nightclub numbers. Robert Ivers was "introduced" in
Short Cut to Hell (James Cagney's only directorial credit) playing a hit man, the lead role, but he only had a brief career in movies. James Douglas was best-known as Steven Cord on TV's
Peyton Place. Arch Johnson is fine as Tulsa's often disgruntled sergeant. Edson Stroll and Jeremy Brett are introduced early on as rivals in the bet concerning Lily, but the former is sent to Alaska, and Brett simply disappears! Bill Hudson, Beach Dickerson, Britt Ekland, and Ron Starr have much smaller roles. Bill's interplay with Rick's infant son, whom he babysits, is funny, and an utterly charming moment occurs when Elvis sings a lullaby to put the baby boy to sleep! The basic premise of
G. I. Blues is taken from such movies as
The Fleet's In and others.
Verdict: Why the public kept flocking to Elvis Presley musicals. ***.
2 comments:
He was photogenic, charismatic and a great performer. The musical numbers really do sparkle. But he never got the chance to do the meaty James Dean/Brando-type roles to show that he could really act. But he looked great in Technicolor and Panavision!
-Chris
He sure did! He did have some genuine acting jobs very early in his career but apparently the "colonel" nixed any more challenging opportunities, which is a shame. It's said that this film was the start of the "new" on-screen Elvis, playing virtually the same part in every successive movie but for one or two.
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