Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii offers more than just breathtaking Hawaiian scenery and unforgettable music. It’s also a delightful collection of amusing errors that endear us even more to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
As Elvis charmed audiences with his charisma in the 1961 musical, a few blunders slipped by unnoticed during editing.
Nobody could ever rival Elvis Presley in music, performances, or those legendary looks, not even in wildest dreams.
Though debates continue about his best film, Blue Hawaii often doesn’t make experts’ top three lists. Nonetheless, this fan-favorite holds a unique charm.
Little-Known Bloopers
Filled with amusing incidents and Elvis’s excellent comedic delivery, the film allowed him to shine alongside other talented actors, many being comedies’ finest of their time.
Despite mixed critical reviews, Blue Hawaii was the 10th top-grossing film of 1961, bringing in $4.2 million. Elvis’s portrayal of Chad Gates—a laid-back ex-G.I. abandoning his father’s fruit business for a life as a beach-loving tour guide—was both delightful and entertaining.
Of course, there’s the unforgettable soundtrack featuring classics like Can’t Help Falling in Love, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remaining a timeless favorite.
While Blue Hawaii captured hearts with picturesque settings and Elvis’s natural charm, it also included several lesser-known bloopers and behind-the-scenes errors that add an extra layer of fun to viewers today. Ready to discover these hidden gems? Let’s dive in!
A New Direction for Elvis
I’m not sure how many have noticed, but for me, Blue Hawaii marked a significant change. It was the first time Elvis’s character was not a performer with a natural reason to sing.
Instead, Chad would spontaneously break into song at unexpected moments—whether relaxing on the beach or paddling a canoe. Sure, it might come across as a bit cheesy, but that spontaneous musical magic makes Blue Hawaii a delightful feel-good movie.
A Blueprint for Future Films
When Blue Hawaii became a massive success, both film and soundtrack-wise, Elvis’s manager Colonel Tom Parker recognized a winning formula.
He decided to use this as a model for all subsequent Presley films—placing Elvis in exotic locations, adding beautiful co-stars, and ensuring enough songs to fill an entire album. And it worked! Elvis appeared in the Top Ten Box-Office Stars list seven times throughout the 1960s.
Crowds of Enthusiastic Fans
Here’s a little gem to remember next time you watch Blue Hawaii. According to IMDb, if you crank up the volume when Chad (Elvis Presley) first disembarks from the plane, you’ll hear hundreds of adoring fans cheering during the shoot. How amazing is that?
Juliet Prowse’s Unique Demands
Imagine Blue Hawaii without Elvis and Joan Blackman, who portrayed Maile Duval. In an interesting twist, Juliet Prowse, Elvis’s co-star in G.I. Blues (1960), was initially slated to play Maile.
However, she had specific requests—bringing a makeup artist from another studio and having her secretary flown to Hawaii at the studio’s expense. When her demands weren’t met, she opted out of the role.
Elvis Didn’t Always Love It
Elvis was often underestimated as an actor, but given strong material, he consistently delivered outstanding performances.
Revered in Blue Hawaii, the King’s experience wasn’t always idyllic. Anne Fulchino, a publicity director who worked with him, noted he found it somewhat embarrassing.
Fulchino observed Elvis felt uneasy during filming, recalling, “When he approached us, he looked like he wished I hadn’t come,” as documented in Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick.
She understood his feelings: “If I was making these uninspired movies, I wouldn’t want to see anyone from my past.” Fulchino left early, recognizing how uncomfortable Elvis was.
“He was clearly unhappy with his situation, frustrated and ashamed—which showed he knew he deserved better, but felt trapped,” she continued.
The Day Elvis Yelled ”CUT!”
Filming Blue Hawaii wasn’t all fun for Elvis Presley. Fans constantly surrounded him, prompting high security. Movement around the island was restricted, meaning he missed many tourist spots. Yet, he managed to take golf lessons from professional Gary Player.
Player remembered: “After winning my first Masters in 1961, Elvis invited me to visit him. At the movie set, he shouted ‘CUT!’ upon seeing me. Always a gentleman, Elvis donned a jacket before greeting me. He craved golf tips and said about using his hips, ‘Baby, you’re talking to the right man,’ with a little wiggle.”
A Memorable Prank by Elvis
On set, Elvis was known for his pranks. While filming Blue Hawaii, his girlfriend Anita Wood joined him in a funny ruse—making everyone think Elvis wasn’t breathing as a joke.
Hearing Anita’s cries about Elvis’s breathlessness, his entourage panicked and rushed to call an ambulance—only to find Elvis sitting up calmly, saying, “I just wanted to see what you guys would do,” as per Cheatsheet.
Elvis’s Love for Cars
If you know Elvis, you know his love for fancy cars. During Blue Hawaii’s production, a 1960 MGA 1600 MkI roadster caught his eye. Enthralled, he purchased the car, which now resides among Graceland’s celebrated motorcycle and car collection, including Cadillacs and Stutzes.
A Popular Wedding Spot
Hawaii became a favorite filming destination for Elvis Presley, rightly so, with three movies shot there. A famous picnic scene with Chad and Maile was filmed off Tantalus Drive, a view still cherished today. This picturesque spot has become a coveted wedding venue.
Blue Hawaii shooting locations are legendary. During filming, Elvis stayed at the renowned Coco Palms Resort, which appeared in the film, including the on-screen wedding and the “Hawaiian Wedding Song” scene.
In its heyday, Coco Palms attracted Hollywood icons like Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, and Bing Crosby.
Unfortunately, the resort was decimated by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and remains unrestored. If you venture to Hawaii, you can still discover the remnants—a piece of Elvis’s history.
Elvis’s Connection with Joan Blackman
During the 1961 filming of Blue Hawaii, a strong bond developed between Elvis and his co-star Joan Blackman. So powerful, it was even described as magic. Joan reflected, “When we met in 1957, there was this spark—it felt almost touchable,” in a 1977 Midnight Globe interview.
Though Elvis wanted Joan to be his wife and appear in more films alongside him, Joan had other ambitions: “I sought roles based on merit, not due to dating Elvis.”
Visible Blooper
Let’s talk about some amusing Blue Hawaii bloopers true fans might notice.
In the “Almost Always True” car scene, an editing misstep occurs: Maile’s hand positioning drastically changes on the steering wheel, and Chad’s arm switches from resting on the seatback to reaching behind Maile.
Classic Continuity Slip
In the pineapple field scene, Ellie waits in the car’s back seat on the driver’s side, but bizarrely shifts to the passenger side with Chad’s pineapple return; it’s all due to camera angles, a classic continuity error!
Magical Ukulele
Blue Hawaii featured 14 songs, more than any Elvis movie. Remember Chad’s ukulele scene? Take note—he never switches chords while the music transitions.
Interestingly, Elvis gifted that iconic ukulele to friend Hank Garland, “Sugarfoot,” a Nashville guitar legend who toured with Elvis from 1958-1961. Elvis liked Hank enough to engrave his initials on it. At a 1961 Hawaiian benefit concert, Elvis hailed Garland as “one of the finest guitarists in the country.”
Symbolic Uniform Patch
The patch Chad sports on his uniform isn’t just decorative. It represents the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Division, ‘Spearhead,’ the division where Elvis Presley served in Germany, rising to buck sergeant rank.
Returning to Hawaii
Elvis Presley concluded his final vacation in March 1977 in Hawaii, a place tied to fond memories.
Elvis and his Memphis Mafia stayed at the Hilton Rainbow Tower before relocating to a beach house with girlfriend Ginger Alden and her sisters.
From golf lessons with Gary Player to the mesmerizing Hawaiian landscapes, Blue Hawaii was more than a film; it represented an unforgettable life chapter. Behind the scenes, Elvis demonstrated that despite chaos, he found time for fun, humor, and a bit of musical magic. With its incredible scenes, quirky bloopers, and personal connection to the Aloha spirit, Blue Hawaii remains a classic.
Next time you watch Blue Hawaii, keep an eye out for those little details and tidbits.
Elvis wasn’t just The King on screen—he was a true legend, both on and off set. Share your favorite Elvis memories and keep the Aloha spirit thriving!
