Main Cast: Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, Anne Helm, Joanna Moore, Jack Kruschen
Release Year: 1961
Country: US
Run Time: 111 minutes
Plot
One of a handful of Elvis Presley vehicles for United Artists release, Follow That Dream is a leisurely comedy/musical with a homey appeal that will delight even non-Presley fans. Based on Richard Powell's novel Pioneer Go Home, the film casts Elvis as Toby Kwimper, the most responsible member of an itinerant rural family comprised of Pop Kwimper (Arthur O'Connell) and nubile cousin Holly Jones (Anne Helm). Claiming "squatter's rights," the Kwimpers set up housekeeping, much to the dismay of local gamblers Carmine (Jack Kruschen) and Nick (Simon Oakland). In an attempt to force the family off their land, social worker Alicia Claypool (Joanna Moore) tries to prove that Toby is "degenerate," but succeeds only in making a fool of herself. Beyond a handful of pleasant songs, the film's highlights include Elvis' unwitting breakup of the local gambling casino, and the climactic trial scene featuring Roland Winters as a dyspeptic but basically likeable judge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Review
By 1961, Elvis Presley the dangerous rock-and-roll rebel had become a comfortable and reassuring screen presence. He may not have been exactly mainstream, but his screen persona was definitely one that parents could feel comfortable exposing impressionable youngsters to. Fortunately, Presley still maintained a definite presence and charisma, if little real acting ability, for without his easy charm, Follow That Dream would be pretty rough going. As it is, the film is not for those with a weak stomach where cutesy children, homespun humor and cornfed, simple "real folks" characters are concerned. It's also not for those who like real drama and sparkling dialogue, but the screenplay is at least carefully constructed and has an internal logical consistency. Presley is in fine voice, although the so-so songs crafted for the film don't really tax his vocal abilities. They're also indifferently staged and fairly extraneous, making this a musical in which the songs really don't matter much. As a matter of fact, nothing much matters here except Presley, whose laidback niceness makes Dream pleasant and comfy, if unremarkable and unmemorable. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Malcolm C. Bert - Art Director, Colonel Tom Parker - Consultant/advisor, Gordon M. Douglas - Director, William B. Murphy - Editor, Hans Salter - Composer (Music Score), Dan Striepeke - Makeup, Leo Tover - Cinematographer, David Weisbart - Producer, Fred MacLean - Set Designer, Gordon Gurnee - Set Designer, Charles Lederer - Screenwriter, Richard M. Powell - Book Author
A vagabond family composed of Pop Kwimper (Arthur O'Connell), his son Toby (Elvis Presley), and various "adopted" children, including sixteen-year-old Holly Jones (Anne Helm), is traveling in Florida when Pop drives onto an as-yet-unopened section of highway. When the car runs out of gas, Holly persuades Pop to take up residence on the land next to the road. A chance encounter with an avid fisherman (Herbert Rudley) gives Holly an idea. They build a thriving business catering to sports fishermen.
Trouble soon follows. Toby rejects the advances of amorous social worker Alisha Claypoole (Joanna Moore), who goes to court to have the children taken away in revenge. Also, her government official boyfriend considers the squatters' home to be an eyesore and wants to evict them. Finally, since the area is outside the jurisdiction of any law enforcement, two gamblers (Jack Kruschen and Simon Oakland) soon set up a casino in a trailer.
In the end, Toby's earthy wits win over the judge and the family returns to its new land and home. Holly also gets Toby to recognize that she is a grown woman.
