Year: 1963
Director: Richard Thorpe
Country: US
Language: English
In late 1963 Elvis Aaron Presley faced an adversary in regards to his "King of Rock" title with the four fabulous members of The Beatles (Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Ringo Starr & George Harrison) This team had just come across the pond from Liverpool and had been appearing everywhere in the US media. In a few months they would appear on the Ed Sullivan show and "Beatlemania" would be in full swing. It was a tough period of time for Elvis.
Mike (Elvis Presley) works on a boat in Acapulco. When the bratty daughter of the boat owner gets him fired, Mike must find new work. Little boy Rauol helps him get a job as a lifeguard and singer at a local hotel.
Fun in Acapulco marks Elvis' second collaboration with Director Richard Thorpe, their first being the critically and commercially acclaimed Jailhouse Rock (1957). This appearance under the Hal Wallis-Paramound banner proved to be a fun thrill for audiences flocking to see Elvis at the time. He delivers a total of 11 songs; all of which are quite catchy and are performed remarkably.
By 1963 Producers had given up on dramatic narratives for Presley movies. Instead, Fun in Acapulco is a light romantic comedy with a focus on its more exotic setting. Scattered throughout the picture are scenes of Elvis acting against moving backgrounds that obviously had been previously filmed in Mexico. The illusion of being in Acapulco is maintained effectively through the use of landscape photography, background music, costumes, and local ceremonies.
The screen play is so-so. Though the plot is not necessarily strong, the picture overall is entertaining enough and full of good music that we'll let a flimsy narrative slide. Ursula Andress is a fine Elvis lady. She's no Ann-Margaret, but she still oozes of charisma and sex appeal.
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