G.I. Blues

GI Blues was Elvis Presley's fifth picture and first one since his return from the Army as America's most celebrated draftee of the Fifties. It also marked his first film with director Norman Taurog who did nine films with the King.

Taurog like so many in Hollywood in front of and behind the camera was getting less and less employment and taking what he could get. These were the kind of people that Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker made sure helped his meal ticket in any way possible. Norman Taurog won an Oscar in 1931 for Skippy and was nominated for his direction of Boys Town in 1938 which won Spencer Tracy an Oscar. Over the years Taurog directed such musical performers as Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Mario Lanza, Eddie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds. This man was most assuredly a help to the King's career and I've no doubt Parker was behind getting him.

Parker is a controversial figure, especially among Elvis's legion of fans as to whether he helped or hindered Elvis's career. He might have done a little of both, but one thing the man was always sure of is that in Presley's movies, he made sure that he got the best support in front and behind the camera. Norman Taurog extended his own career via the King. Everybody made out here.

The Colonel also was a master at keeping the publicity going while Elvis was a $78.00 a month GI serving in Germany. So much so there was a tremendous about of advance publicity about this film which was about a young rock and rolling soldier who finds love in Frankfurt.

Elvis gets hooked into a Guys and Dolls type bet that he can't spend the night in Juliet Prowse's apartment. Prowse is a local entertainer at one of the clubs in Frankfurt and she's got a reputation as one cold lady. But you know she ain't got a chance with the king.

Part of the publicity surrounding this film was Juliet Prowse's relationship with another guy she did a film with that year, Frank Sinatra. She and Sinatra were quite the item and they announced their engagement and then broke it off just as quickly. Juliet was quite the dancer both in GI Blues and in Can-Can. I remember all of this quite well as a lad. And it was always a special treat in Elvis films when he got a female co-star who was also musical like Ann-Margret, Nancy Sinatra, or Juliet Prowse.

Elvis had a bunch of songs in the film including his own Blue Suede Shoes playing on a jukebox during a bar brawl. One song I really liked was Pocketful of Rainbows which he sings to Juliet while riding in a cable car. It should have been a bigger hit for him.

GI Blues was a fine jump start for Elvis's return to the big screen and to his loyal legion of fans.

Elvis rocks the peace time army and breaks through the defences of a hard hearted cabaret dancer in a fictionalised musical version of his own military service. Tulsa (played by Presley), Rick and Cooky ,three army buddies spend most of their off - duty time together. When they are not playing music as a combo, they are frequently at their favourite nightclub. The main attraction is a red head dancer named Lili. Many have tried to melt this beautiful icicle but have failed. Rick and Cooky bet that Tulsa will succeed where all others have failed.

Decent Elvis fare with some standout songs {Tonight Is So Right For Love,Shoppin'Around,G.I.Blues},a fairly funny script and good production values.Elvis and Juliet Prowse have excellent chemistry and easily carry the film through it's weaker moments.

It's always tricky when you're overseas with friends, finding something that can pay up dividends, but a gamble on a lass, to access her, and get a pass, then spend the night, provides a means to G. I. ends. For most this is a challenge to convene, but not for operator smooth Tulsa Mclean, although the prize is not a given, and he'll need to be forgiven, but dancer Lili seems to be, eager and keen. To aid him on his quest there will be singing, a little dancing, comedy, and lots of grinning, it's quite different from today, where you would make a different play, but it's the 60s, and they were famous for their swinging.

When you have Elvis Presley in a movie is there a need to have a plot or do you just stick him on screen and say GO! That's not really fair. Though there is most certainly a formula to making an Elvis picture there is also a lot of talent that went into each movie. Not the least of that talent was Elvis himself. All the Elvis movies have both a timeless quality to them while also presenting an innocence of a film-making age. Hal Wallis, who directs many of the Elvis films also directs Blue Hawaii which is a better followup to GI Blues.

The reason to watch G.I. Blues is not the story, the cinematography nor the direction even though all three are done with precision and no overkill. The reason to watch is Elvis. This movie was made in 1960 when The King was at his prime and starting to feel comfortable on screen. His performances are excellent, musical numbers that is, and we're all lucky to have them captured. The movie and Elvis are full of charm and you wonder at times how much Elvis' real life was mirrored with all that charm-like atmosphere around him. ***/**** (for an Elvis flick).

On a side note if you find an original poster of this movie, call me.