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G.I. Blues

G.I. Blues

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: First post-Army film was a box-office smash!
Review: "G.I. Blues" was #2 on the top grossing films at the box office when it was released. The storyline is Elvis plays Tulsa MacLean. Him and his Army buddies are about to get out of the army and look forward to opening up their own nightclub back in Oklahoma. Along the way, Tulsa is caught up in a bet that sees if he can date the enticing and cold-as-ice Cafe Europa dancer Lili (Juliet Prowse). Tulsa and Lili go further than that: they take a modest cruise to across the river to a puppet show where Tulsa sings "Wooden Heart". They both ride above a vineyard in a cablecar where again he breaks into "Pocketful of Rainbows." Then Tulsa is asked to baby-sit for a buddy who ran away to get married, and he's caught in a tight situation. Him and Lili reunite and spend the night with each other baby-sitting "Tiger". The bet is easily won. When Lili finds out, she's steamed! Little does she know that Tulsa really was Marla and Rick's baby-sitter. Tulsa and Lili come back together after an unexpected proposal, and following is an all-American Armed Forces Show finale where Tulsa and the rest of the memebers of the armed forces sing "Did'ja Ever?".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: G. I Blues
Review: Fantastic movie if you are an Elvis fan.
If you are not an Elvis fan, why bother?
I'm not really sure why so many people insist on giving a synopsis of the film since we all know the plot, we just want to know what people think of it.
I think the female role could have gone to someone else, as I never rated Juliet Prowse, no sparks there at all (the woman could dance, though, I'll give her that!) Ann Margret and Elvis were wonderful together, for obvious reasons and were a joy to watch. Nevertheless, GI Blues remains my favourite Elvis film, nonsense though it may be!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Elvis Presley's first film after the army
Review: G.I. Blues has to be the only Elvis Presley film that his name appears more than the opening and end credits (if there are any). And that happens when a man who during Elvis Presley's 2nd song in the movie decides to play an Elvis Presley song on the jukebox. Tulsa McCauley (Elvis Presley) dreams of opening his own nightclub in America with his two army buddies Cookey (Robert Ivers) and Rick (James Douglas). The songs that Elvis Presley sings include G.I. Blues, Tonight is So Right For Love, Wooden Heart, and Blue Suede Shoes. Even though, he got out of the army, a few months before filming this movie. And he had to get back into an army uniform. This was the first of 9 movies that Elvis was directed by

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: fine Presley outing with lovely Juliet Prowse
Review: G.I. BLUES is a good film with Elvis Presley, playing an American G.I. on duty in Europe. Willowy dancer Juliet Prowse adds beauty and glamour to the proceedings.

Some great numbers like "Tonight is So Right for Love", "Wooden Heart", "Blue Suede Shoes" and the Title Song will have your feet tapping!

Juliet Prowse is the perfect foil for the earthy Presley, and dances divinely. It's such a shame that her film career never really took off (she was one of the unofficial female members of the 'Rat Pack'). Her acting is charming.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: G.I. King
Review: I enjoyed this film. Sure Elvis sings a number of songs, some good, some just plan silly. He plays the same good-hearted character after the girl. His buddies help him along the way. He gets the girl. If you love Elvis it's worth the rent, if you only want to watch a story with fewer songs I would recommend Change of Habit.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: More subdued, classier Elvis.
Review: I loved this film. It's not typical Elvis in the sense that for once he doesn't play the irreverent gigolo with a woman waiting for him in every bar; his one big dream is to do music in his own nightclub. He's quite likable and ends up even being noble when he turns the plot (of a soldier engulfed in an bet with his army buddies to 'defrost' a gorgeous nightclub dancer) on its side when he falls in love with the stunning Juliet Prowse. This one is similar in tone to VIVA LAS VEGAS because female lead Prowse is an independent woman, and not a typical Elvis groupie- forcing a real courtship to occur between them. That's why I like it all the more. Once again, the Hollywood stereotype of the aloof woman comes in (see my other review for YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER). Juliet Prowse is never, in my opinion, 'cold' or 'refrigerated;' even when she turns down an early pass from Elvis she's not so much rude as she is firm in her convictions. But what a dancer- with a pair of gams that stretch into next week!! Her introduction in the film (which shows a spinning cardboard cutout in a marquee window turn into the actual Prowse- in a near-strapless white, shredded dress) is breathtaking!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My Favorite Elvis movie
Review: I'm only 16, but I LOVE Elvis movies. My mom got me started watching them. Out of the Elvis movies I've seen, "G. I. Blues" is my favorite. I would recommend that anyone who hasn't seen an Elvis movie, make "G. I. Blues" your first.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My Favorite Elvis movie
Review: I'm only 16, but I LOVE Elvis movies. My mom got me started watching them. Out of the Elvis movies I've seen, "G. I. Blues" is my favorite. I would recommend that anyone who hasn't seen an Elvis movie, make "G. I. Blues" your first.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: G.I. Blues
Review: In his first musical comedy, Elvis Presley stars as lady-killer Tulsa Maclean, an Army Sergeant stationed in West Germany. Tulsa and his buddies hope to make enogh money to open a small nightclub upon their return...

G.I. Blues marks the debut of the new Elvis Presley. Fresh out of the army, gone were the sideburns the press had found so offensive, and gone was the flashy, hip attire. The look was more convervative.

The changes in terms of image and film genre do not mean that G.I. Blues was an inferior film, which many Presley biographers have implied. It remains a well-crafted musical comedy with a number of solid songs and a strong female co-star. The only negative result is that Elvis would be discouraged from making other types of movies. This film is considered the prototype for future Presley films, which, unfortunately, declined in quality as the decade progressed.

Produced for Paramount Pictures by Hal B. Wallis. Released November 23, 1960. Color.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not exactly "Elvis Is Back" on the MOVIE side.
Review: It is notable that Elvis made a movie reflective of his patriotic service. On the other hand, in light of the fact that he actually decided AGAINST performing in "Special Services" while in the Army, it must be assumed that he was uncomfortable in unintentionally "exploiting" his military experience. So despite the amazing financial success of the movie and soundtrack album, it must also be assumed that Presley wanted to get the whole thing behind him and pursue serious movies, picking up the pace from the 1958 black and white classic, "King Creole". (Ofcourse he made two consecutive impressive dramas following this mild musical). But whatever misgivings he might have had with the tired and predictable plotline (his character reluctantly gets involved with a bet that he can't win a date with a dancer) he certainly seemed to enjoy performing the songs - his vocals are terrific on all the tunes, especially on the classically-based "Tonight Is So Right For Love", and the bouyant rocker "Shoppin' Around". The production numbers are particularly colorful and well presented. Juliet Prowse's dancing sequences are effective, though more "adult" oriented than one might expect. So if you can stand watching Elvis in a 1950 movie made in 1960, go for it - enjoy the music.


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