1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

"Clambake" was one of Elvis Presley's last movies. Filmed in 1967, it's also one of his last musicals, before a few final desperate experiments. (In "Charro" Elvis would sport a beard in a non-musical western - and in "Change of Habit," he'd play an inner-city doctor romancing a nun!) "Clambake" offers one of the last chances to see Elvis in a hokey rock musical - with a plot that's even more improbable than usual.

Elvis is the son of a wealthy oil man, determined to prove he can be his own man. Elvis trades places with a Florida water ski instructor and takes his job at the hotel, while the instructor acts as though he's the millionaire's son. Inevitably, Elvis falls for a woman who's single goal is to marry a man who's rich, even though he's pretending that he's not. Now he must compete for her attention with another good-looking millionaire, played by Bill Bixby.

Elvis already had 26 movies under his belt, and "Clambake" clung to a familiar formula. His character is a freewheeling loner, belting out the movie's title song while driving his Corvette in the sunshine. ("Look for the brightest lights in town. That's where you'll find me hangin' round...") Young Shelley Fabares, who was 23, had already filmed two previous movies with Elvis There's a token music number with children, as Elvis sings about "Confidence" to a crowded playground, in a song reminiscent of Frank Sinatra's song "High Hopes." And at the end of the movie, the two rivals predictibly compete in a climactic motorboat race.

The real appeal of an Elvis movie is to watch him struggle through the songs that were written especially for the film. "Who Needs Money" tries to show that Elvis's character is carefree - but it's a duet with the water ski instructor, who unfortunately couldn't carry a tune. Elvis serenades his new conquest with a ballad about "A House That Has Everything (But Love)," though his delivery could pass for either tender or sleepy. There's a misplaced dance chorus in a song where Elvis assembles his motorboat - but the melody is surprisingly funky. ("Get a rhythm going, nice and easy. Come on and use a little elbow greasy...")

The songwriters ultimately didn't even bother to compose a chorus. They simply titled the song "Hey Hey Hey," and let Elvis sing it twice at the end of every verse. This movie only works if you can suspend your disbelief long enough to see past its implausibility. If you watch closely, you may imagine that the movie holds other clues about the twilight of Elvis's movie career. But if you're prepared to use your imagination, you might actually find "Clambake" entertaining.

Learn more about this author, Moe Zilla.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: Clambake?
We want to hear your view. Write now!