by Moe Zilla

Created on: March 14, 2008   Last Updated: March 15, 2008

"G.I. Blues" was Elvis's first movie after leaving the army. Elvis was just 25 when it was filmed, and had spent two years out of the public eye while serving in Germany in 1958. The movie's story about soldiers was a way to cash in on the excitement around Elvis's return. The movie even used footage of the base where Elvis was stationed!

Elvis's "rebel" image was starting to change. He plays a clean cut and honest young man in the army who pals around with his fellow soldiers. The plot involves a bet to charm a local lady - but it isn't honest Elvis who's supposed to do the scheming. Young Elvis's character, "Tulsa McLean" just wants to sing, and he hopes to someday have a career as a nightclub singer. But there's still a hint of the rebel Elvis, when a fight breaks out when a jukebox interrupts one of his early performances. The song playing on the jukebox? Elvis's "Blue Suede Shoes."

Elvis get roped into the bet anyways as the substitute romancer for his transferred pal - which leads to some surprisingly sweet love songs. He sings "Pocketful of Rainbows" while suspended from a trolley car traveling up a tall hill. "The Best I Can" is a gentle waltz, and there's even a cute duet with a puppet as Elvis walks his date past a performer in the park. "Tonight's All Right For Love" is a faster song, but it's backed by a romantic mandolin and even a traditional accordion.

A younger Elvis bring the eager energy that was already making him famous. There's a lively call and response to the other soldiers in "Frankfurt Special," and another one during the marching song "Didja' Ever." Elvis's vocals on "Shoppin' Around" sound a lot like the determined pop sound of "Don't Be Cruel." Unfortunately, the movie steers Elvis into a surprisingly domestic situation. He wins the love of Lili while helping her babysit her friend's infant son.

"G.I. Blues" isn't a particularly exciting movie, but it works as a simple romantic musical comedy. There's a soldier, a local girl, and hopes of a singing career. Lurking behind the simple story is some real-life irony. Elvis was already a famous singer, and he'd already won the love of a local girl named Priscilla. (Though unfortunately, she was only 16.) But Elvis's life would end unhappily at the age of 42 - lending a subtle poignancy to the movie's hopeful simple story about the dreams of 25-year-old "Tulsa McLean."

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