Elvis in Acapulco
While the Beatles were about to blow Elvis' musical empire to smithereens and change the world of music forever, Elvis was busy defending his crown making B-movies like the this classic starring a young, beautiful Ursula Andress. (The Beatles actually went to see this movie when they came to the States in 1963.) Like most of Elvis' movies, the production is faux-everything from beginning to end. The movie contains some good numbers. "Bossa Nova Baby" is one, if you overlook that the Bossa Nova was native to a different country, several thousand miles away. Another is "I think I'm Gonna Like It Here." The film is amusing, but with a contrived unbelievable plot. "Elvis attitude" will carry you though to the end.
The movie was filmed at the Villa Vera Spa & Resort. The grand finale takes place at La Quebrada. Apparently, the movie was a challenge for both stars. Andress had not yet learned English. Elvis had to learn some of his lyrics in Spanish. Rumor has it that Elvis never actually visited Acapulco during his lifetime, but shot the entire film on a Hollywood sound stage.
The story begins with Elvis working as a deck hand aboard a boat that has just pulled into the port. Elvis, because he's Elvis, is being hit on by the owner's hot, blonde under-aged daughter whom he wisely rebuffs. When Elvis bumps into her at a local nightclub, and then her father walks in, trouble begins. She blames Elvis for bringing her to club and buying her drinks. He is fired on the spot and left stranded in Acapulco. But does Elvis worry that he's in a foreign country with no money? Not a chance. He's Elvis. This is about the time all the fun starts. Instead of worrying, he starts flirting with a beautiful female matador and breaks into a song.
Elvis is befriended by a young boy, an experienced hustler who persuades Elvis to let him be his manager. Together they team up to get Elvis singing gigs around town at night while Elvis works as a life guard at a luxury hotel during the day. It's during his lifeguard work that he meets the second love-interest, Ursula Andress. She is in Acapulco with her father to escape revolution in Europe. Both were royalty, but now work in the kitchen. Her father, the head chef, immediately dreams that his daughter will marry Elvis so that they can immigrate to the United States. Elvis crosses paths with the head lifeguard, a star cliff diver and boyfriend of Andress. Needless to say, they immediately dislike each other.
The plot thickens as we receive clues about why Elvis's character is afraid of heights - he was once a circus performer who dropped his brother during a performance. The movie goes on with both women hitting on Elvis and and Elvis taking it all in stride, being the true player that he is. Sooner or later, surprise, surprise, Elvis fights the lifeguard, knocking him out and stealing his girlfriend.
The movie ends with Elvis performing a daring cliff dive in the lifeguard's place, defeating his fear of heights, and winning the heart of Andress and the respect of his adversary (who picks up on the female matador). Elvis adopts the young Mexican boy. Total closure and happy ending.
The best part of the movie is to see how Acapulco looked back in 1963. The Golden Zone, as it is today, didn't even exist. It is amazing what 40 years can bring. Anyway, there's lot's of fun to be had in Acapulco to be sure.