User reviews

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.

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.

Elvis's first film back after his military service is not as good as his best film King Creole nor as flashy and fun as Viva Las Vegas but still falls into the plus category as far as his films go. He has a talented co-star in Juliet Prowse, her exotic brand of sex appeal adds a nice component that adds a different spice to the movie. While the script is innocuous it certainly is far better than the slug he would be making just a few years later like Speedway and Harum Scarum. He looks very fetching in his uniform, the songs, including Blue Suede Shoes, by and large are pretty good and the film has many attractive locations. A pleasant diversion.

Elvis Presley's first movie following his discharge from the Army. He was accepted now, mainstream. Elvis was stationed in Germany, and G.I. Blues is set there. Germany is part of the "Elvis Presley trail" I envisioned myself going down. Juliet Prowse is the showgirl, famous for her legs. She is Elvis' equal and makes the film worthwhile. Speaking of Juliet, Elvis said, "She has a body that would make a bishop stamp his foot through a stained glass window." Elvis served in the the Army, 1958-60. He was drafted in peace time. He was too young for Korea and too old for Vietnam. This bit of luck made his fabulous career possible. His service was in contrast to Cassius Clay's resistance a few years later.

Sometimes when rating movies I can feel a little embarrassed in giving certain films a three out of four star rating. Well, to hell with that -- I flat-out enjoyed G.I. BLUES, which was Elvis Presley's fifth movie and marked a significant shift in his public image and how he would be perceived throughout the 1960s while The Beatles and other groups were taking over. After coming back from his stint in the U.S. Army, Elvis made this picture which capitalized on that event. He plays a G.I. who takes a bet with some of his army pals in Germany that he will be able to score with leggy fraulein dancer Juliet Prowse. Along the way there are laughs, songs (naturally), and some romance.

Gone here is the young rockin' rebel we'd previously seen in films like LOVING YOU, JAILHOUSE ROCK, and KING CREOLE. Now we have Elvis as the more matured family man, Elvis as the comedian. And you know what? Elvis could be funny! Some of his comedic facial expressions in this are priceless, and the scene where he nervously bumbles about while trying to babysit a screaming child is truly humorous. Regardless of how Elvis himself felt about doing such a film, it doesn't show in his performance at this stage as it would many years later when it would appear he was just going through the motions in these types of formulaic situations; here he seems to be having a good time. The songs aren't superb, but they're fun and entertaining. I personally like the title tune of "G.I. Blues", as well as "Shoppin' Around," "Didja Ever," "Doing the Best That I Can," and - my personal favorite singalong, "Frankfurt Special" (whoa, whoa, whoaaa!). *** out of ****

With this being the first film Elvis Presley made after his discharge from the Army in Germany, it made sense for it to depict him basically in uniform in that country to take advantage of his previous newsmaking journey. It's also the start of him playing more nice guys as opposed to his previous roles as rebels. Not a bad change though I'm sure many of his fans preferred his more surly image concerning his film work. Anyway, this was pretty amusing with plenty of good Elvis numbers and a couple of nice dance solos from the legendary Juliet Prowse. So on that note, I and Mom say give G.I. Blues a chance.

Elvis plays Tulsa Mclean, a soldier stationed in Germany. When he's not marching or driving a tank he's playing the Frankfurt music scene, trying to earn enough money to save up for a nightclub back home in the Oklahoma, USA. Tulsa places a bet with a fellow soldier, Dynamite, that he can't win the heart of the local ice queen - Lili, a dancer at one of the clubs they frequent. When orders come in the relocate Dynamite, Tulsa take's his place and tries to win the bet.

G.I. Blues was Elvis' first post army film, so to some extent he's re-living some the experiences he's had. The music is comprised of decent pop songs rather than rock and roll, so he comes across more grown up than in other wild child films that he's been in. It looks like there was on-screen chemistry with Juliet Prowse as they are believable in the context of the film - there are some scenes where they carry the film too. There is an element of camp and cheese, as there is in all Elvis films, but it's all light hearted and fun. When you stack this up against other films he done, this one is, for me, one of the better ones - one I'm sure Elvis fans love too. I'd give this a 7 out of 10 and I'd happily randomly watch this on any given lazy Sunday.

Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.

Personally am of the opinion that some of his early stuff is actually pretty good (a few even more so than that), the writing and stories weren't always a strong suit but they had good supporting performances, great soundtracks with some iconic songs, they didn't look like they were made on the cheap and Elvis actually showed himself to be a decent enough actor when the songs and material allowed it. The later films when Elvis was past prime not only had those story and script problems but did have problems with production values, less good supporting cast and Elvis being past prime and didn't even have the benefit of having good soundtracks.

After a two-year break for military service, Elvis makes a return to the screen with 'GI Blues'. While it is not quite one of his very best films, being somewhat of a disappointment after 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'King Creole' (his two best, 'Loving You' is high up too), it does fare significantly better than pretty much every film he did afterwards and when ranked it would still rank around the top half of his filmography.

'GI Blues' is not perfect, its somewhat overlong length and the bland and corny script (then again the script has rarely been a strong suit in an Elvis film, with the odd exception like 'King Creole') being its two main drawbacks. The story is also pretty thin and formulaic.

However, Elvis, even in a substantially changed image, once again looks natural and is charismatic and charming. The sultry Juliet Prowse is likewise appealing and Robert Ivers steals scenes with some amusing moments. The soundtrack is terrific also, standouts being the title song, "Wooden Heart", "Didya Ever" and particularly "Doin' the Best I Can", as well as inspired use of one of Elvis' best known songs "Blue Suede Shoes".

Norman Taurog, a hit and miss director for me, directs assuredly, and of his nine features with Elvis 'GI Blues' is one of their better collaborations easily and one where Taurog's direction actually rises above just competent. 'GI Blues' is a good-looking film, being nicely shot in particular.

All in all, pretty good fifth feature for the King of Rock and Roll. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Early on, in Elvis' list of films. Fresh out of the actual military service, Elvis plays Tulsa, soldier, stationed in Germany, and is saving up, with his friends, to buy a nightclub. as usual, girls get in the way. and there's a bet to be won. overly complicated plot. and pretty outdated... they would never be allowed to do the same plot now! Juliet Prowse in her second credited role. She's Lili, object of the soldiers' misguided attention. wikipedia tells us that scenery from several places in deutchland were actually used, but all of EP's acting took place on the studio lot. Britt Eckland (Mrs. Peter Sellers !) was the redhead.... apparently her very first role. the usual misunderstandings. kind of a relationship-formula film. Directed by Norman Taurog. He and Elvis P made NINE films together. there's colonel tom in the credits as technical advisor. Prowse died young at 59 (cancer)... and of course, Elvis died even younger at 42.

(Flash Review)

Elvis plays Tulsa who is US soldier stationed in Germany. He plays guitar, sings and is trying to start his own night club and is looking for investors. At the same time, soldiers being soldiers and Elvis being Elvis, after hearing about some alluring lounge singer and dancer woman who had been known to reject every man's advance wage a bet to see which of them can end that steak. Watch as Elvis works his humble magic while using several short song numbers to achieve both the movies goals. The movie is simple, easy, smirkable and pure Elvis.