While sailor Elvis works for a jerk to save up for his own boat he must dodge three beautiful GIRLS! editing out about 5 songs would have really helped > though in early 1962 Elvis was still engaged in his art and his voice on the soundtrack is rather astonishing > he can elevate weak plot tunes and when he gets his chops around something nice...yer lookin' fer trouble, baby! the title song (a borderline flop for the great Coasters), plus the rockin' RETURN TO SENDER, I DON'T WANT TO BE TIED and the unusual seafarin' uptempo THANKS TO THE ROLLING SEA; and more than a few soulful ballads, he makes us forget some forgettable draggy parts on screen and the flat mix on record.
I think he does some of best dramatic acting in scenes with the girls, Stella Stevens (she sings too many songs, too!) and a very under-appreciated actress, Laurel Goodwin. Elvis and Laurel spend the night with friends near the beach and a storm brews. She finally demands to know where she stands. "I don't want to be kept" is the response, deeply nuanced, a young man whose main goal is professional but knows his passion, too. I cannot think of any actor who could pull that off better.
rather lame plot resolution, but what else is/was new in Elvis movie making land? INTERESTING NOTE: many excellent tracks were not used or deleted. now "out there" on CD!
I think he does some of best dramatic acting in scenes with the girls, Stella Stevens (she sings too many songs, too!) and a very under-appreciated actress, Laurel Goodwin. Elvis and Laurel spend the night with friends near the beach and a storm brews. She finally demands to know where she stands. "I don't want to be kept" is the response, deeply nuanced, a young man whose main goal is professional but knows his passion, too. I cannot think of any actor who could pull that off better.
rather lame plot resolution, but what else is/was new in Elvis movie making land? INTERESTING NOTE: many excellent tracks were not used or deleted. now "out there" on CD!