Main Cast: Elvis Presley, Suzanna Leigh, James Shigeta, Donna Butterworth, Marianna Hill
Release Year: 1966
Country: US
Run Time: 91 minutes
Plot
Rick Richards (Elvis Presley) is a helicopter pilot who is grounded when his chopper runs federal aviation official Donald Beldon (John Doucette) off the road in Paradise, Hawaiian Style. Already suspended as a airline pilot, he and partner Danny Kohana (James Shigeta) struggle to keep their business flying. Suzanna Leigh plays the pretty secretary, but Elvis does not limit his affections to just one girl. Technical credits and locations scenes of the beautiful islands are the highlight of the film. Presley warbles his usual slew of songs, but most are unremarkable. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
Review
One is very tempted to call Paradise, Hawaiian Style a retread of Blue Hawaii, but that doesn't really state the case. It is more accurate to refer to Paradise as a very tired retread of Blue. Everything about Paradise has a "been there, done that" feeling to it, down to and including the occupation cooked up for Elvis Presley. (Ferrying tourists and other passengers around is pretty much the same whether it's on the ground as in the earlier film or by helicopter as here). Yes, Paradise does have its share of pretty scenery, but it's not captured as well as was the scenery in Blue. And Paradise does of course have its fair share of comely young maidens on hand, but it also has the presence of Donna Butterworth, a much too young maided -- by which I mean that putting a cute kid into an Elvis movie is bound to upset the works, and that's what happens here. More damaging, however, is the fact that Elvis himself is far from at his best. He's noticeably put on weight, and his heart really isn't in the picture. Yes, his charm is still there, but it's at half its usual wattage, and even his vocal magic isn't quite the same -- although this is at least partially due to the poor material he's working with. Diehard fans of Elvis won't really care and will likely find Paradise amply rewarding simply for its scenery, its girls, and the King himself; but those who are not loyalists should give it a skip. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Irene Tsu - Pua; Linda Wong - Lehua Kawena; Julie Parrish - Joanna; Jan Shepard - Betty Kohana; John Doucette - Donald Belden; Philip Ahn - Moki Kaimana; Grady Sutton - Mr. Cubberson; Don Collier - Andy Lowell; Doris Packer - Mrs. Daisy Barrington; Gigi Verone - Peggy Holdren; Shanon Hale - Plain Girl; Lloyd Kino - Native Dancer; China Lee - Next Girl; Leon Lontoc - Chef; Miko Mayama - Bit Girl; Ann Morell - First Girl; Mary Treen - Mrs. Belden; Edy Williams - Dancer
Credit
Hal Pereira - Art Director, Walter Tyler - Art Director, Jack Regas - Choreography, Edith Head - Costume Designer, Michael Moore - Director, Warren Low - Editor, Joseph Lilley - Composer (Music Score), W. Wallace Kelley - Cinematographer, Hal B. Wallis - Producer, Ray Moyer - Set Designer, Sam Comer - Set Designer, Allan Weiss - Screenwriter, Anthony Lawrence - Screenwriter
Rick Richards (Presley) returns to his home in Hawaii after being fired from his job as an airline pilot. He and his buddy Danny Kohana (James Shigeta) go into the helicopter charter business together. But Rick's reckless flying and his careless negotiations with local women may cost Rick the business and Danny his home.
Disaster looms as Danny becomes overdue on a flight after Rick has been grounded by government officials. Rick must decide if he should risk losing his license forever by going to look for his friend.
Recorded in late July and early August 1965 at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California, the music album was released to coincide with that of the motion picture. The album's closing track, "Sand Castles", was recorded for the film but not used; it was included on the album as a "bonus track".
Presley and the crew spent a lot of time at the Polynesian Cultural Center during filming, which was the location for the Drums of the Islands production number. They developed a close relationship with the staff, most of whom were students at the nearby Brigham Young University Hawaii campus. When one commented that the actress working alongside Presley for these scenes originally was wearing an outfit which was somewhat more revealing than those worn by the actual hostesses, Presley ordered the costume to be changed to one more appropriate.
When it was time for Presley and the crew to leave PCC, they held a special, private luau to bid goodbye. At the end, dozens of the staff took off their leis, placing them around Presley's neck and shoulders. There were many tears, both in the staff and in the movie crew, including Presley. As they left, one of his assistants moved to take the hot, massive bunch of flowers, but Presley refused, wearing them all until returning to his hotel, an hour away on the south side of Oahu.
As a result of this relationship, the end title sequence gives a special thanks to the people at PCC.
Many consider this the worst of Presley's films. What isn't in question, however, is the star's condition; he appears notably overweight, tired and removed from the proceedings. Nevertheless, the film still maintains a small following, partly due to the footage of 1960's Hawaii contained in the film.
This film is notable as the only record of Presley uttering the phrase, "Doggie Yum Yums".
Allegedly there were rumours that the film would feature a cameo appearance from The Beatles. This rumour was baseless, but probably came about because the minor British band Herman's Hermits were performing a concert in Hawaii while filming was taking place. Lead singer Peter Noone was given the opportunity to briefly 'interview' Elvis for a radio broadcast.
