Cafè Europa

Elvis rocks the peace time army and breaks through the defences of a hard hearted cabaret dancer in a fictionalised musical version of his own military service. Tulsa (played by Presley), Rick and Cooky ,three army buddies spend most of their off - duty time together. When they are not playing music as a combo, they are frequently at their favourite nightclub. The main attraction is a red head dancer named Lili. Many have tried to melt this beautiful icicle but have failed. Rick and Cooky bet that Tulsa will succeed where all others have failed.

It's always tricky when you're overseas with friends, finding something that can pay up dividends, but a gamble on a lass, to access her, and get a pass, then spend the night, provides a means to G. I. ends. For most this is a challenge to convene, but not for operator smooth Tulsa Mclean, although the prize is not a given, and he'll need to be forgiven, but dancer Lili seems to be, eager and keen. To aid him on his quest there will be singing, a little dancing, comedy, and lots of grinning, it's quite different from today, where you would make a different play, but it's the 60s, and they were famous for their swinging.

Decent Elvis fare with some standout songs {Tonight Is So Right For Love,Shoppin'Around,G.I.Blues},a fairly funny script and good production values.Elvis and Juliet Prowse have excellent chemistry and easily carry the film through it's weaker moments.

This is Elvis. If I had to explain, you would not understand.

Back in Hollywood, after a two-year stint in the US army, Elvis Presley (as Tulsa McLean) is a stationed-in-Germany singing soldier out to bed sexy dancer Juliet Prowse (as Lili). This tailor-made film set the standard for the successful "ELVIS" movie. Presley spent the 1960s swinging and singing through "Top Ten" box office and record charts. "G.I Blues" propelled Elvis back into Quigley Publications "Box Office" ten most profitable movie stars, where he stayed through 1966. The RCA soundtrack went platinum, and was #1 for ten of its amazing 111 weeks on the LP chart. RCA planned no 45 RPM singles (which helped album sales), but "Wooden Heart" and "G.I. Blues" became hits anyway.

Unfortunately, the musical's trend-setting success overshadowed Presley's superior studio recordings from the time (listen to "Elvis Is Back!"). Also note, the re-recording of "Blue Suede Shoes" is a pale imitation of the 1956 original. So, a creative cancer was being forged. But, it's not fair to fault "G.I. Blues" for the sight and sound of Elvis Presley singing "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" in "Double Trouble" (1967). And, although everyone (including Presley) longed for him to be a great dramatic actor, he shows up in "G.I. Blues" as a charming and natural light performer. Herein, Presley introduces many of the playful mannerisms used throughout the remainder of his career, in musicals and on stage.

****** G.I. Blues (8/18/60) Norman Taurog ~ Elvis Presley, Juliet Prowse, Robert Ivers, James Douglas