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| Fun in Acapulco with Elvis |
Fun in Acapulco While the Beatles (who actually went to see this movie when they came over to the States in 1963) 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, hot Ursula Andress. Like most of Elvis' movies, it's faux-everything all the way. It has some good numbers such as "Bossa Nova Baby" and "I think I'm Gonna Like It Here" while its amusing, yet totally contrived, plot and loads Elvis attitude carries you though to the end.
It was filmed at the Villa Vera Spa & Resort and its grand finale takes place at La Quebrada. Apparently, the movie was a pain for both stars as Andress still didn't know how to speak English while Elvis had to learn his songs in Spanish.
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 who he wisely rebuffs. When Elvis bumps into her at a local nightclub, and then her father walks in, the trouble for Elvis begins. She blames Elvis for bringing her to club and buying her drinks and Elvis 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, he starts hitting on a beautiful female matador and breaks into a song.
Outside Elvis is befriended by a young boy and 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 we meet his second love-interest, Ursula Andress, who's come to 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 U.S. Elvis also crosses paths with the head lifeguard, star diver, and boyfriend of Andress. Needless to say, they take an immediate dislike to one another.
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, you guessed it, Elvis finally fights the lifeguard and ends up knocking him out and stealinghis 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. He wins the respect of his adversary lifeguard (who picks up on the female matador), and adopting the young Mexican boy. How's that's for closure?
The best part of the movie has to see Acapulco back in 1963. The Golden Zone as it is today didn't even exist. It's amazing what 40 years can bring. Anyway, there's lot's of fun to be had in Acapulco. Just ask Elvis.
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| What's happening
in Acapulco? |
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