Viva Las Vegas (1964)
Runtime: 86 mins
Synopsis: Elvis Presley is Lucky Jackson, an aspiring auto racer with a dream of winning the Grand Prix. Sexy, spunky Ann-Margret is Rusty Martin, the swimming instructor who falls for him against her will, hating the idea of her man risking his life in a race car. Lucky struggles to raise the money to buy a... Elvis Presley is Lucky Jackson, an aspiring auto racer with a dream of winning the Grand Prix. Sexy, spunky Ann-Margret is Rusty Martin, the swimming instructor who falls for him against her will, hating the idea of her man risking his life in a race car. Lucky struggles to raise the money to buy a new engine while Rusty tries to convince him to give up racing for her. George Sidney, a seasoned veteran of the lavish Hollywood musical, proves the perfect helmsman for this high-voltage Elvis vehicle. The King croons, shakes, and shimmies while Ann-Margret shows her mastery of 1960s-style gyrations in the glitzy, electric production numbers. The two charismatic stars are at their best during a hilarious first date, which includes dancing, motorcycling, dressing up at a wild West show, skiing, and going for a ride in a helicopter. How could they not hit it off? Their powerful magnetism centers this glittering, extravagant treasure chest of a film that ranks among Elvis's best. [More]
Genre: Musical & Performing Arts
Starring: Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret, Cesare Danova, William Demarest, Jack Carter
Screenwriter: Sally Benson
Producer: Jack Cummings, George Sidney
Composer: George Stoll
DVD Info
Release:
Sep 18, 2007
Blu-ray Disc Features:
- Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround - English
- Dolby 5.1 MLP - English
- Mono 1.0 - English, French, Spanish
- Subtitles - French
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary - Steve Pond - Author
- Featurette - 1. KINGDOM: ELVIS IN VEGAS
- Theatrical Trailer
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
Presley's one really good musical, mainly because it features a female costar, Ann-Margret, who can match the coiffed one in the charisma stakes.
The sizzling combination of Elvis Presley and Ann-Margaret is enough to carry Viva Las Vegas over the top.
Vulgar, spirited, and neglected director George Sidney meets his match with this 1964 Elvis Presley vehicle.
One of Elvis Presley's best films, Viva Las Vegas benefits from the exuberant direction of MGM vet George Sidney, the young and sexy Ann-Margret as romantic interest, and over 12 melodic songs that take up half of the running time (only 85 minutes).
...a cut above most of Elvis's movies, but, unfortunately, it still comes off as little more than an upscale nightclub revue.
Directed by George Sidney, it has a carefree spirit as opposed to the carelessness of the other films, and for once Elvis is paired with a worthy co-star.
Coming on a balmy day, with no pretensions of art, Viva Las Vegas, the new Elvia Presley vehicle, is about as pleasant and unimportant as a banana split. And as fetching to look at, it might be added.
May be Elvis's raunchiest and most pleasing film, thanks mostly to co-star Ann-Margaret.
It is ridiculous. It is a little teensy bit sexist. It is a relic of a bygone age. It is as predictable as the sunrise. It is also, of course, rip-roaring fun.
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