L'Idole d'Acapulco

Attractive , agreeable vehicle with Presley as Mike, a lifeguard and singer at a local hotel . There's a nice pairing between the two leads , Elvis Presley and Ursula Andress , falling in love at a fancy beachfront resort and the King singing classic songs . Notable musical comedy in which Elvis plays an ex-acrobat , working on a boat , including amusing events , nice set design , good actors and overwhelming production numbers . There a bratty, spoiled daughter of a wealthy man and boat owner gets him fired and Mike must find new work , while little boy Rauol helps him get a job . Then he takes a job at luxurious Acapulco Hilton hotel as a lifeguard by day and a singer by night and while falling in love for Ursula Andress , but Mike's also seeing a bullfighter woman. Clashes abound when Mike runs into the rival and fellow employee lifeguard (Alejandro Rey) , who is the champion diver of Mexico . He's really angry at Mike for taking his daily job hours , and stealing his girlfriend . And Andress becomes jealous when Elvis becomes interested in a woman bullfighter : Elsa Cardenas . Eventually , beloved Elvis and appealing Ursula Andress get together , which comes as no surprise to any viewer . Eventually , he must conquer his fear of heights for a climatic dive from Acapulco cliffs . Elvis Never Had It Like This ! .Come With Elvis to Fabulous Acapulco!

Typical of Presley's movies with usual ingredients such as songs , dances romances, beautiful girls , entertainment and fun . Elvis and Ursula Andress well teamed in this popular and enjoyable tipically Presley musical comedy. This is a pretty lightweight stuff , but a sympathetic cast , classical songs and impressive dances make it worthwhile . Pleasant musical comedy , being really a great recital from the stunning Elvis Presley , as well as the beauty Ursula Andress recent her hit in ¨James Bond vs. Dr. No¨, adding colorful cinematography by cameraman Daniel L. Fapp and catching soundtrack by composer Joseph Lilley . Stars the great Elvis as a former trapeze artist who romances two beauties and acts as a part-time lifeguard and night club entertainer . The film benefits itself from likable main singers/dancers and charming support cast , such as : Elsa Cardenas , Alejandro Rey , veteran Paul Lukas and the unknown little boy Larry Domasin who's very likable. And including wonderful songs , hilarious moments and lots of fun with the two splendid entertainers : Presley and Ursula Andress , though it has inconsistent plot , then takes off for the spectacular musical numbers and catching songs.

There are several marvellous songs and dances , featuring ten musical numbers along the way , and the King does particularly fine , such as : Fun in Acapulco ; Vino, dinero y amor ; El Toro ; Marguerita ; No room to Rhumba ; I think I'm going to like it here ; You can't say no in Acapulco. The motion picture was competently directed by Richard Thorpe . This was a great Hollywood filmmaker with penchant for Westerns , Epics and Musicals , though also made other genres at times . Richard was a prolific director who made slickly a lot of films of all kinds of genres . As he directed the following ones : "Thin Man goes home" , "Three little words" , "Knights of the Round Table" , "The Black Hand" , "Great Caruso" , "Prisoner of Zenda" , "King of the Kongo" , "Fun in Acapulco" , "Jailhouse Rock" , "Vengeance Valley" , among others . Rating : 6/10 . Passable and acceptable Elvis vehicle . The picture will appeal to Presley and Andress fans .

I would probably have never watched this film if it were not for a little old lady who often calls to the film archive where I work and asks for movies starring French actor Maurice Ronet (who is her favorite star), and strange choices as Don Sharp's "Rasputin, the Mad Monk" or this Elvis Presley's vehicle. Surprisingly I enjoyed watching it as "zero degree style" as it is, and now I believe that this is one of Presley's best vehicles of the early sixties. It has a formulaic story that does not demand much from viewers, most of the songs are forgettable and corny, and back projection and sound stage decors do not match well with such a magnificently sunny location as Acapulco. But somehow it works: Presley, kid Larry Domasin and leading ladies Ursula Andress and Elsa Cárdenas all seem to enjoy what they are doing (and make fun of themselves, as in the musical number in which Presley finishes a ridiculous song with a matador cape wrapping his head) , and screenwriter Allan Weiss surely knows how to keep us viewers smiling at every new move by orphan Raoul (Domasin) to get trapeze-artist- in-crisis Mike (Presley, that is) back in shape. Richard Thorpe (who also directed "Jailhouse Rock") moves things efficiently until the grand finale in which the trapeze artist sings... "Guadalajara" in Spanish. I could not understand a word, but it was fun to watch "The King" (at his handsomest) trying hard.

Released in 1963, "Fun in Acapulco" stars Elvis Presley as a lifeguard/singer at a ritzy Mexican resort who stirs the interest of two women and rivalry of a Mexican diver. Fun in Acapulco is an amusing musical/comedy directed by Richard Thorpe, the same director from 'Jailhouse Rock'.

It plays out exactly as you expect and production values waver from scene to scene. But there's nearly always something cheery about Presley's movies, and this one is no different. If you can accept them for what they are, and ignore what a shame that Presley's early acting promise wasn't fulfilled? Then there's a good time to be had in Acapulco.

The acting is good,a good fun story line and great singing make for a very enjoyable 95 mins. Recommended to all regardless of whether you're an Elvis fan or not. After all, how can you say no to Acapulco And Elvis...

Richard Thorpe directed a previous Elvis movie, "Jailhouse Rock". Elvis plays Mike Windgren, who is running away from a family trapeze act accident. He is hired as a life guard and singer. Elsa Cardenas, a lady bullfighter, wants Mike's attention. The beautiful Ursula Andress plays hard to get. Mike gets over his fear of heights by diving off one of the local landmark cliffs. The eleven song soundtrack of Latin-beat ditties includes "You Can't Say No In Acapulco" and the million plus selling "Bossa Nova Baby". Better than average travelog.

Fun in Acapulco is one of those films that might surprise you. Often overlooked, it is loaded with great music and a cast that really worked well together. The interplay between Elvis and Larry Domasin, who played little Raoul, was amazing. Elvis has a history of working well with children.

Mike, Played by Elvis, is fired from his job on a boat in Acapulco. It's The boat owners young daughter who gets him fired after Elvis refuses her charm.

Little Rauol Befriends Mike and helps him get a job as a Singer/lifeguard. The current lifeguard, who is a champion Cliff diver begins to feel threatened by Mike. Not only is Mike cutting in on his hours but he is making moves on his girl Margueita, played by Ursala Andress. Mike is also attracted to a lady Bullfighter. It works as a silly but very fun love triangle.

Will Mike get over his fear of diving that was brought on by an accident while performing a high wire act with his family? And who will he fall for? It makes for a fun story line.

Fun in Acapulco was the #1 Box Office Musical in 1963. The soundtrack for this picture was wonderful. The single "Bossa Nova Baby" was a huge top 10 smash for Elvis. Also the performance of "Marguerita" was a highlight in the film.

If you have overlooked this picture I urge you to check it out. I know you will be entertained by this charming film.