Girl Happy

“***Elvis goes to Fort Lauderdale to look after the daughter of his Chicago boss*** This is a fun Elvis flick featuring Shelley Fabares in her first of three Presley movies, the other two being “Spinout” and “Clambake.” Speaking of the latter, this is cut from the same cloth with a similar plot (Elvis travels to the beaches of sunny Florida with Fabares being one of the key females). These types of movies aren't meant to be taken too seriously. They exist as vehicles for Elvis' talents and to entertain with enjoyable 60s’ shenanigans. Being Presley’s 17th of 31 total movies, it’s a middle-of-the road flick for him and yet energetically delivers the goods for colorful mid-60s’ entertainment. Shot during the first month of summer 1964, don’t expect the negative elements that characterize the late 60s, like unbathed, drug-addled hippies. Think along the lines of “Village of the Giants,” which was released 6 months later in 1965. As far as the excellent female cast goes, Shelley stands out, particularly during her dance performance with the band on stage. She happened to be 20yo during shooting. Redhead Rusty Allen as Linda is also a minor highlight. She didn’t have much of a film career, but you can see her in the underrated Western “Black Spurs,” released a month after this flick in spring 1965.  Other notables include Chris Noel as Betsy, Mary Ann Mobley as Deena, Nita Talbot as dancer Sunny Daze and Lyn Edgington as Laurie. Another notable element is how Elvis’ character is the leader of a quartet of musicians, which was presumably influenced by the Beatles skyrocketing to fame with their debut in America five months before shooting started. It runs 1h 36m and was shot at MGM Studios in Culver City surrounded by Los Angeles. Second unit work was done at Fort Lauderdale, Florida. GRADE: B-”