"Viva Las Vegas" was Elvis's last good movie. And this 1964 film is one of the few which features an equally exciting co-star - the amazing Ann-Margret. The film is filled with tasty glimpses at pop culture icons, including an opening credits sequence which shows how Las Vegas looked in the early 60s.

As the movie opens, Elvis is seen driving into town, an auto mechanic dreaming of competing in Vegas's Grand Prix. But Elvis's character, "Lucky Jackson," soon has another mission on his hands - trying to impress a young redhead who wanders into his shop. Ann-Margret plays Rusty Martin, who's poised enough to keep Elvis at bay - and keep him interested. Their romantic tension is established early with a cute duet. "The lady loves me," Elvis sings smoothly, "but she doesn't know it yet."

Ann-Margret electrifies the screen, and for once an Elvis romantic comedy seems plausible. Biographies of Elvis note a real-life backstage affair between the two stars, and there definitely seems to be a genuine attraction and excitement between them. Ann-Margret squeals with delight as she collapses into Elvis's arm at the end "Come On, Everybody," after she's spotted dancing with real enthusiasm while Elvis sings one of his most rocking movie songs.

"I love-a my baby, I love-a my baby. Hey, hey, hey, and my baby loves me!"

But all the songs are fantastic. While dancing at a club, an organ launches into Ray Charles' "What'd I Say," and soon Elvis is onstage again, singing with real energy about the woman who "knows how to shake that thing." It's one of the few movies where Ann-Margret is shown dancing without choreography - simply moving delightedly to a serenade from the king of rock and roll. But just as impressive is a sophisticated slow ballad called "I Need Somebody To Lean On." A lonely Elvis stares sadly in a bar while a cocktail pianist and acoustic guitar accompany him in a pre-recorded song. And later, a 22-year-old Ann-Marget does her startling transformation into a vamp to sing the song "Appreciation" in a competition against Lucky.

Colonel Tom Parker was reportedly furious that the film included so much footage of Elvis's exciting co-star - but Ann-Margret has often been called "the female Elvis." Yet despite the legendary status both stars eventually achieved, "Viva Las Vegas" is the only film offering a chance to see them together.

And it's a sight worth seeing.

Learn more about this author, Moe Zilla.
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