Author: Jenna Ipcar

Jenna Does Elvis #11 – Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966) / Spinout (1966)

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It was a busy week for me, so I found myself in what I’d like to coin an ‘Elvis Crunch’ (a situation in which a person needs to cram in Elvis movies around their hectic schedule).

I’d also like to present to the world, Elvis Crunch: Are You Hungry Tonight, the new breakfast cereal of champions! It’s one part Peanut Butter Crunch cereal, one part Nesquik banana milk, with bacon bits sprinkled on top! Try it and let me know how that goes for you.

 

Continue reading Jenna Does Elvis #11 – Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966) / Spinout (1966)

Jenna Does Elvis #10 – Harum Scarum (1965) / Frankie & Johnny (1966)

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 “I don’t know how you can manage to watch all these movies,” a friend said to me the other day.

“As long as you keep your expectations low and your interest in looking at Elvis’ ass in tight pants high, they’re not too bad,” I said. “They’re mostly under an hour and a half, at least.” 

 

Continue reading Jenna Does Elvis #10 – Harum Scarum (1965) / Frankie & Johnny (1966)

Jenna Does Elvis #9 – Girl Happy (1965) / Tickle Me (1965)

girltickleWell, I can finally say that I’m in no-man’s land as far as these films are concerned. With The British Invasion in full swing and the quality of these films going down, down, down, Elvis was starting to lose his patience and it shows. In fact, he hated the music he was forced to record for Girl Happy so much he refused to record any new songs for several months after—and I can’t say I blame him. As a result, all of the songs in Tickle Me are just recycled from previous recordings.

As for me, well, I’ve now watched eighteen Elvis films—that’s more than halfway through—and I’m finally starting to feel some fatigue. On one hand, I’m really enjoying how much Elvis knowledge I’ve acquired; I find myself able to have conversations with people I know in which I drop a ton of Elvis facts with ease and confidence, and watch them respond in turn with polite nods and glances at their watches. Well, after these next two films, I too was looking at my watch. The year is 1965, and as dopey as I thought Help! was, these next two make it look like a lost Spielberg epic.

Continue reading Jenna Does Elvis #9 – Girl Happy (1965) / Tickle Me (1965)

Jenna Does Elvis #8 – Viva Las Vegas (1964) / Roustabout (1964)

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I’ve hit another milestone—Viva Las Vegas! Now we’re getting into Elvis’ second wind, as both of the following films include well-known leading ladies—Ann-Margret in Vegas and Barbara Stanwyck in Roustabout. I’ve gotta say, having at least one other good actor in these Elvis movies improves them tenfold. Elvis isn’t bad on his own, but when he’s surrounded by blandness—in the script and otherwise—he tends to turn off. These films aren’t going to win a MENSA award anytime soon, but you’d think the producers would have made more of an effort to keep them enjoyable. Both Ann-Margret and Barbara Stanwyck really help elevate both films into the ‘watchable’ category:

Continue reading Jenna Does Elvis #8 – Viva Las Vegas (1964) / Roustabout (1964)

Jenna Does Elvis #7 – Fun in Acapulco (1963) / Kissin’ Cousins (1964)

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I can see the boardroom meeting now:

“Listen men, we need a fresh spin for these Elvis movies. Cranking out ‘[insert occupation] Elvis’ films three times a year is all good and fine, but we need to be one step ahead—this rustling overseas from England is making me nervous.”

“Well sir, themes are still popular, and heck, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Why, the solution is more themes, of course!”

Cut to: Fun In Acapulco.

Continue reading Jenna Does Elvis #7 – Fun in Acapulco (1963) / Kissin’ Cousins (1964)