I actually like Tickle Me. It's one of the few Elvis films that I do enjoy from this time period (post 1964). The film has some funny moments, doesn't take itself seriously at all, and has great music throughout (not since King Creole has the music been as consistently great). There were no new songs for this film but given the uneven quality of most of the songs for other Elvis movies of this period, the canned songs are an improvement IMO. Elvis seems to be relaxed and having fun in the film.
This one is certainly a contender. Although I wish Animal Instinct had been used in the film as that would then be my favorite.
Oh yeah, both songs you posted above are quite beautiful. Elvis's vocal on Kismet is just lovely really. As I have said before, I really think the Harum Scarum soundtrack is quite good. The soundtrack is often dismissed because the movie looks so terrible. The songs are a cut above many of the typical soundtrack albums from this time period, but what really made the album seem inferior was the original poor mix of it. The Doubles Features version really brings out Elvis's voice properly and the musicianship is outstanding on the session. Listen to Henry Strzelecki's groovy bass lines and drummer Kenny Buttrey's outstanding interplay on Animal Instinct as exhibit A below. I also love the Neil Diamond Cherry Cherry like instrumental breakdown on Hey Little Girl.
I still have not watched the actual Harum Scarum movie, but as I said above, I really do like the soundtrack album. I bought every Elvis movie last year that I did not already possess and I know Harum Scarum is on one of my DVD's somewhere, but I could not seem to find it yesterday. Harum Scarum and Paradise Hawaiian Style are the only Elvis's movies I have never watched at least one time. I have PHS DVR'd, but I started watching it once and it did not look like a winner, Lol. I will try to get through both of these movies eventually just so I can say I have actually viewed all of them.
I love hearing from other fans which movies they've seen and not, and which they like and don't. Harum Scarum was the first Elvis movie I watched (that I can remember), just this past summer. Lifelong Elvis fan but as a millennial I missed the original era and the re-run era. Funnily this was the movie my aunt and cousin chose to show me first because they love the soundtrack! I have to say I did not like it that much haha. I had avoided his movies for so long because I know he generally didn't enjoy that period in his life, but I appreciate now that they're still a part of his body of work, there are some gems, and hey, we get to watch Elvis!
That is such a key point, I'm so glad you brought it up. Even though some of these films are pretty darn bad I'm still glad we have them because even in the worst ones I'm happy to see footage of Elvis. I always enjoy watching him - his charisma and 'coolness' is really strong even in clunkers like Harum Scarum.
While it’s great seeing these on DVD/Blu on a well-calibrated TV seeing these in a drive-in is really then’ proper’ way to see them, I’m envious!
I agree about the soundtrack being very good, especially how tight the backing musicians are. If you've never heard the alternate take of "Hey Little Girl" it's essential. It really rocks, Elvis' vocal is great and different, and the band is on fire, especially the drummer. A real rock and roll recording by Elvis during a time when he really wasn't doing what he did best...
That is a great take and you can tell Elvis is really into with the grunt and the laugh at the very end. When Elvis was bored with the material it usually showed and he seems pretty engaged here on this song.
This is why I’m hoping soundtracks like this get a complete sessions FTD release - there’s a number of as-yet-unreleased complete takes (let alone long false starts, break-downs etc.) so there’s always a chance one might be interesting to hear. Couple it with a remix of the LP proper and I think it would make for a nice release.
Is this available anywhere other than the FTD? I hadn't planned on getting the FTD since the double features version has better sound, but this take makes it tempting...
This recording (takes 1 and 2 of Hey Little Girl) is also on the FTD compilation Out in Hollywood. If you aren't sure you want to shell out for an entire CD of Harum Scarum outtakes, Out in Hollywood is a nicely-curated set of interesting alternate takes from various films, and it's something that in my opinion stands up to repeated listening much better than the FTDs devoted to just one soundtrack.
Frankie and Johnny Year of release: 1966 Studio: United Artists Director: Frederick de Cordova Plot: Elvis plays Johnny, who along with girlfriend Frankie, are riverboat entertainers. A gypsy tells Johnny that his bad gambling streak will only end if he teams up with a redhead, which is what happens when Nellie appears. However this causes Frankie to be jealous. Songs: Come Along (theme) Petunia, the Gardener's Daughter Chesay What Every Woman Lives For Frankie and Johnny Look Out, Broadway Beginner's Luck Down By the Riverside / When The Saints Go Marching In Shout It Out Hard Luck Please Don't Stop Loving Me Everybody Come Aboard Trailer:
I had the single Frankie and Johnny/Please Don't Stop Loving Me. I KNOW I saw this one at the drive in. It had Ellie Mae! Another period piece with E as a singer(?) on a riverboat/showboat. I almost expected to hear Mister and Mississippi. More New Orleans type sounds On a side note I have a thing for various versions of FAJ, and Elvis version is among my favorites. And the single is not like what is in the film, which I found out from the backseat in my jammies.
Along with Harum Scarum, some credit should be given for putting Elvis in an unusual setting (back to the beach for the next one!), but it's a shame that the scripts weren't that good. As for the soundtrack, again, it's nice to hear some different instrumentation, but this is probably my least favourite Elvis album.
Yep, the soundtrack to Frankie and Johnnie is dreadful. I will defend the Harum Scarum soundtrack; I will praise the merits of G.I. Blues, but I will not defend this sonic mess. This album was terribly recorded. Did Elvis let the Memphis Mafia gang run the soundboard on this one, Lol? The songs are lousy as well, but I do like the double sided single that @JamieC mentioned in his post above. It is about the only good thing on this soundtrack. I barely remember the movie, so I might have to watch this one again as well.
Frankie and Johnny is definitely near the bottom of the pile for me of those we have discussed so far, but a couple of things to mention: - I used to hear Chesay a lot when I was younger and never knew where it was released. In fact I always thought the song was called Jessè. I always wondered why I couldn't find it online!! So if nothing else that's a mystery solved. - I did actually laugh out loud at the scene where Elvis' gambling winnings were thrown out the window and then an elderly lady saw all the people gathering to pick it up and said "that's disgusting......ooh money, let me in". Appealed to my sense of humour! - at the time of writing this, the climax of the film which involved Elvis being shot after a real bullet was put into the gun that was used during the performance of Frankie and Johnny, seems sadly relevant.