Viva Las Vegas is a 1964 musical featuring Elvis Presley as a race car driver and Ann-Margret as a hotel pool singer. The movie is a high-octane blend of romance, gambling, and rock and roll, with the two stars heating up the screen with their electric chemistry. The plot follows Elvis’s character as he competes in the Las Vegas Grand Prix and woos Ann-Margret’s character while she tries to resist his charms. The film is a colorful, fun-filled romp that captures the excitement of Sin City in the 1960s.
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Review
It’s hard not to get caught up in the energy and excitement of Viva Las Vegas, the 1964 musical comedy directed by George Sidney. The film stars Elvis Presley as Lucky Jackson, a racecar driver who heads to Sin City hoping to win big at the tables and earn enough money to fix his car so he can compete in an upcoming race.
From the opening credits, it’s clear that Viva Las Vegas is going to be a fast-paced ride. We see Lucky driving his car through the desert with the title song blaring over the soundtrack. It’s Elvis at his peak, with his signature moves and that voice that made millions of fans swoon.
The plot of Viva Las Vegas isn’t exactly original – it’s a classic tale of boy meets girl – but it’s told with such style and enthusiasm that it’s impossible not to be won over. Lucky falls for Rusty Martin (Ann-Margret), a talented dancer who works at one of the casinos. Their initial meeting is set up as a competition – they both perform in a talent show at the hotel – but soon enough they’re smitten with each other.
The chemistry between Elvis and Ann-Margret is electric, and their musical numbers together are some of the film’s highlights. There’s “The Lady Loves Me,” where they trade quips and insults back and forth, and “C’mon Everybody,” where they dance around a hotel room in matching outfits.
But Viva Las Vegas isn’t just about romance – it’s also about chasing your dreams. Lucky is determined to win enough money to fix his car, even if it means resorting to some shady tactics like gambling on an illegal race in the desert. And Rusty has her sights set on becoming a headliner in her own right, instead of just being one of many dancers in a casino show.
One thing that sets Viva Las Vegas apart from other Elvis movies is the quality of the supporting cast. William Demarest plays Lucky’s gruff mechanic, who provides some comic relief and a bit of wisdom. Nicky Blair is hilarious as Shorty Farnsworth, a gambler who always seems to have a tip on the next big thing.
The film’s score is also top-notch, with songs written by some of the era’s best songwriters like Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. In addition to “Viva Las Vegas,” there are several other catchy tunes like “What’d I Say” and “If You Think I Don’t Need You.”
Viva Las Vegas was filmed on location in Las Vegas, and Sidney takes full advantage of the glitz and glamour of the city. There are scenes shot inside casinos with real gamblers in the background, and shots of Lucky driving his car through empty desert highways.
Of course, no discussion of Viva Las Vegas would be complete without mentioning Elvis’ wardrobe. The King wears a variety of flashy outfits throughout the film, from his opening scene in a black leather jumpsuit to a scene where he wears a bright pink shirt with matching pants. It’s all part of the over-the-top aesthetic that makes Viva Las Vegas so fun to watch.
Despite its many strengths, Viva Las Vegas wasn’t exactly beloved by critics when it was first released. Some felt that it was too lightweight or formulaic. But audiences clearly disagreed – the film was a box office success and has since become something of a cult classic.
In many ways, Viva Las Vegas is an ideal representation of mid-60s American culture – flashy, optimistic, and just a little bit cheesy. It’s also an enduring showcase for one of America’s most iconic performers at his peak. As Lucky Jackson himself might say: “Viva Las Vegas!”
Technical Data
- Runtime : 85
- Release : 1964-02-08
- Genre : Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance
- Cast : Elvis Presley as Lucky Jackson, Ann-Margret as Rusty Martin, Cesare Danova as Count Elmo Mancini, William Demarest as Mr. Martin, Nicky Blair as Shorty Fansworth
- Crew : George R. Nelson as Set Decoration, Henry Grace as Set Decoration, Sydney Guilaroff as Hairstylist, Edward C. Carfagno as Art Direction, George W. Davis as Art Direction
- Popularity 13.965
- Budget : $1,000,000
- Revenue : $9,400,000
- Company : Jack Cummings Productions, Winters Hollywood Entertainment Holdings Corporation, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Summary : Lucky Jackson arrives in town with his car literally in tow ready for the first Las Vegas Grand Prix – once he has the money to buy an engine. He gets the cash easily enough but mislays it when the pretty swimming pool manageress takes his mind off things. It seems he will lose both race and girl, problems made more difficult by rivalry from Elmo Mancini, fellow racer and womaniser.
- Tagline : Elvis is at the wheel but Ann-Margret drives him wild!
