Blue Hawaii

The film itself was ELvis most succesful. There are some great songs including Can't Help Falling In Love with You and some great one liners and a light romantic storyline with Elvis in top form as a light comedy actor.

Blue Hawaii is pure escapism and it established a formula that would be copied in other Elvis films. Think of the Bond films; Girls, locations, vechiles, action, Girls, throwaway humour with Elvis having a license to sing.

A first rate film and a top notch DVD - had there been Extras I'd have given it five stars. A minor minus point is that they've used a still from Paradise Hawaiian Style rather than Blue Hawaii on the back cover but thats hardly going to spoil you enjoyment of the film or DVD.

Anyone who owns the excellent "Loving You" DVD will know what kind of quality to expect.

Sadly, no features, just a trailer and some really nice menus.

But the important thing is the film, and I love Blue Hawaii. Sure it's lightweight and easy going. It's not Elvis best film, by a long shot; but it is very good and is a real treat.

Elvis returns to the islands from the army determined not to enter into his rich father's pineapple business, preferring to try and make a go of a tour guide business with his Hawaiian girlfriend. His snobbish mother; Landsbury in a great over the top acting part complete with Southern drawl,("Have you got some sugar for your mother?") is horrified but she and his father eventually agree to let him try.

After various plot twists involving a tourist group made entirely up of young girls, he eventually makes a go of things and marries the girl.

Favourite songs have to be, Can't Help Falling In Love, which he sings to his girlfriend's grandmother for her birthday and Almost Always True. Other songs are, Rock A Hula Baby, Hawaiian Wedding Song, Blue Hawaii, Aloha Oe, No More, Moonlight Swim, Ku-u-i-po, Ito Eats, Slicin' Sand, Hawaiian Sunset, Beachboy Blues and Island of Love.

Nice piece of romantic, musical escapism.