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While this is an O.K. film is most respects, sadly this turned out to be the route which Elvis's later film followed. Elvis is always likable in films like these, but when you've seen most of his later movies, you find out that they all follow a similar formula and it's hard to distinguish them from one another. Here, Elvis playes the same role as he did in practically every film after this one; a charming, womanising lad who happens to sing well. I should however note that I haven't seen all of his 33 films, but I've seen like 20 or so. Blue Hawaii is fondly remembered because of it's beautiful music and terrific scenery (Hawaii always looks enchanting). It's quite a lovely scene when Elvis sings "Can't help falling in love" to the old lady. Who wouldn't be charmed by that? 6 out of 10.

Elvis Presley was in great shape when he made "Blue Hawaii," which was a cut above the typical Elvis garbage films that Colonel Tom arranged for him to make later. This is a really fun film with some great numbers. I have always been partial to Rock A Hula - it's exuberant, it's sexy, it's Elvis. This film also features "Can't Help Falling in Love" and the "Hawaiian Wedding Song." Angela Lansbury has a great turn as Elvis' southern mother.

This film, with its big budget and great soundtrack, laid the groundwork for the Elvis movies made later. Unfortunately, as Parker had negotiated a percentage of each film, it didn't take him long to realize that the faster and cheaper they made them, the more money for him and, by extension, Elvis. In fact, later on, the songs done in the films were not specifically written for the particular film - they were simply unreleased songs that were bundled into an album as the movie soundtrack.

But when you see Blue Hawaii, don't dwell on any of that. Just enjoy the scenery and the young, healthy Elvis, with his whole post-Army life ahead of him. All 17 years of it.

The ultimate Elvis Presley musical of the 1960's-and the biggest box office success of his entire Hollywood career. 'Blue Hawaii' is the one that certainly hit the highs with it's blend of comedy, romance, music, scenery and a bevvy of beauties!

This film laid down the blueprint for the majority of Elvis' other 60's musicals that each and every Company, writer, producer and director, tried to recapture and remake time and again. But, artistically, it never quite happened.

The water was tested with Presley's first post-army movie, the critically acclaimed 'G.I. Blues', the year before, that introduced us to the new Elvis look and feel. The family audience were captured by Tom Parker's crafty, but clever, plans to make his boy appeal to a much wider spectrum of tastes and trends. And, 'Blue Hawaii' established firmly which route 'The King's' film career path was going to take.

It is an absolute must-see for a number of things including the fine direction of Norman Taurog and the beautiful Hawaiian paradise that unfolds like a travelogue. But, most importantly we are treated to a more mature Elvis Presley who handles his character's script with notable impressive comic timing when feeding off the intimidating characterisation by Angela Lansbury who plays his domineering mother.

Elvis seemed to gain a lot of enthusiasm and incentive by working with a fine supporting cast e.g. 'Jailhouse Rock', 'King Creole', 'Flaming Star', 'Wild In The Country', and 'Blue Hawaii' is no exception to the rule. The immediate screen chemistry between himself and his beautiful co-star, Joan Blackman, portraying the couple in love, is quite in evidence here and they both play off each other amicably. Although, rumour had it, it was a different ball game off camera.

An Elvis movie wouldn't be an Elvis movie if he didn't chant his way through a number of songs and with 'Blue Hawaii' this culminated in a total of fourteen that made up a soundtrack that was to become one of his biggest selling albums ever. These songs blended the local islands traditional themes('Aloha-oe', 'Ku-u-i-po', 'Island of Love'), with silly production tunes('Ito Eats' and 'Almost Always True') and a taste of the new movie-style rock 'n' roll numbers ('Rock-A-Hula Baby' and 'Slicin' Sand') through to the beautiful ballads that Elvis' remarkably crafted operatic voice of this time, handles with consummate skill and ease ('Blue Hawaii', 'No More' and 'Can't Help Falling In Love'). The film's finale is a cinematic classic and beautifully filmed with Elvis once again in tremendous form with those golden vocal chords-Wonderful!

This film was made at the start of a different era of the Rock music phenomenon, and afterall it was Hollywood, so not all of the Hawaiian flavoured ditties will suite everyone's taste. But, it just went to prove no matter what kind of song Elvis sang and released it would still boost sales to the point of gold record certified!

Elvis' performance as homecoming G.I. turned 'beach bum', Chad Gates, is flawless in this movie and obviously shows us that he has a flair for this kind of comedy setting. The film itself when viewed today is still as fresh and feel-good as it ever was which is more than can be stated of the much later so-called sequel-'Paradise Hawaiian Style' and other such Presley vehicles as 'Girl Happy', 'Tickle Me', 'Harum Scarum', 'Easy Come, Easy Go', 'Double Trouble' and 'Clambake'. All of which try to recreate the 'Blue Hawaii' formula albeit in a bad way with Elvis displaying his acting and singing talents in a mediocre sort of way.

But, finally, for all it's class and high points, 'Blue Hawaii', in the long run, was certainly the 'Kiss of Death' for 'The King', and his acting ability and enthusiasm for the big screen would never be portrayed as consistently ever again.

While this is one of Elvis' greatest and fun movies it is a great shame that it was so successful, as it ruined the promise of a wonderful movie career for the King. The scenery and songs are unmatched and it is a fairly decent script, even after some sour comments from Angela Lansbury. Ms. Lansbury has constantly degraded this movie but she made a wonderful appearance as Elvis's mother, and I am sure gave her new fans. This movie was also responsible along with Hawaii Five-O as giving tourism to the Islands a big boost, but have the Hawaiian Tourist Bureau ever mentioned this. 40 years on it is still a treat to watch,and still surpasses some of today's so called "hot movies".Due to the popularity of Blue Hawaii El's management told him this was the way to go.Such a shame.

Its a little sad that I'm only the second person in 2011 to review this movie. I guess interest in Elvis has really waned in the last few years.

Presley's 28 or so movies are pretty much evenly divided between great, good, fair and poor. This one ranks solidly in the top of the good category. Like "Fun in Acapulco" and "Viva Las Vegas," there's some great scenery, good music, and a plot that holds interest pretty much all the way through.

Cinematography takes top honors. Hawaii has hardly ever looked so good.

Presley interacts well with the natives and does a good job convincing us that he could be a native boy. He seems fit and comfortable with everything and everyone in the movie.

The movie seems more crowded with Presley songs than usual, hardly five minutes goes by before there's another one. Fortunately, they're generally pleasant with an Hawaiian or in one case Jamaican flavor. The song "Can't Help Falling in Love with You" is one of Presley's greatest and unfortunately it is more or less a throwaway here, with Presley singing it to his girlfriend's grandmother more than her.

Definitely a must see for Elvis fans and a watchable one for non-Elvis fans.

I watched this on the day that the writer Hal Kantner died. He created two excellent television shows in the 1960's, "Julia" and "Valentine's Day." He was an excellent and intelligent comedy writer as this film shows.