Certainly "Viva Las Vegas" is one of the most remembered of Elvis Presley's 31 theatrical films. That's due to two factors. The first is the pairing in the lead roles of Presley and Ann-Margret, two of Hollywood's hottest film commodities in 1964. The second is the film's theme song, which through the years has served as the unofficial anthem of the booming entertainment center in the Nevada desert.
While not considered a critical masterpiece, "Viva Las Vegas" is a classic in its presentation of its two energetic, young musical stars. Everything else in the film is secondary to the screen rapport between Elvis and Ann-Margret. With camera angles accentuating the attractive physical features of both, it is difficult for the average viewer to focus on other aspects of the movie.
When reviewers considered "Viva Las Vegas" on its release in 1964, however, they were obliged to look beyond the film's stars in forming their assessment. Their appraisals varied, and so the movie received mixed reviews.
"Variety's" review appeared on May 20, 1964, and "The New York Times" printed its analysis the next day. "Variety's" reviewer, identified only as "Tube", acknowledged that the "sizzling co-star combination" guaranteed box office success for the film. On the screen, however, "Tube" judged "Viva Las Vegas" to be a "pretty trite and heavy-handed affair, puny in story development and distortedly preoccupied with anatomical oomph."
For the "Times", however, Howard Thompson gave the picture a pleasant, if not glowing, review. "Coming on a balmy day, with no pretensions of art," Thompson wrote, "Viva Las Vegas", the new Elvis Presley vehicle is about as pleasant and unimportant as a banana split. And as fetching to look at, it might be added. By now, after some rocky beginnings, the Presley movie formula has leveled off to a series of musical romps that are extremely easy to take."
The difference between the two reviewers was that "Variety's" still operated under the impression that Presley should be making serious films, while Thompson at the "Times" understood that Elvis and his Hollywood handlers had come to the realization that light, musical comedy was the star's box office niche in pictures. So, while "Tube" kept looking for dramatic substance in "Viva Las Vegas" and found only a "hackneyed yarn", Thompson sat back and allowed the unassuming and visual narrative to have its way with him.
"This time Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer happily teams him with Ann-Margret, a perfect musical foil with her galvanized dancing," Thompson noted. "The story... as directed by George Sidney, tools along rosily.
All this, from the pen of no less a writer than Sally Benson, unfolds against the stunningly picturesque background of the famed desert resort, photographed in excellent color. Miss Benson's script snugly combs the entire area, from the neon-spangled clubs, casinos and hotels to Boulder Dam Lake. And the picture winds up with a wing-ding of an auto race across the countryside. Whatever it isn't, "Viva Las Vegas" remains friendly, wholesome and pretty as all get-out."
Even "Tube", who seemed disappointed with most of the film, was impressed with its car race sequence. "This depiction of an auto race is one of the most exciting passages of its type ever put on film," the "Variety" reviewer gushed. "The driver's eye-view position in which the audience is placed as the cars whoosh over the swoops and dips of the desert highway engenders a genuine sensation of giddiness in the spectator - much like that generated by a roller coaster ride in Cinerama.
One puzzling element of the race sequence involves the fate of Cesare Danova, Elvis's romantic and racing rival in the film. Danova's character, Count Mancini, receives sympathetic play through much of the film, but when he is involved in a horrific crash near the story's end, no one seems to care beyond a "that's-a-shame" shrug from Elvis as he drives on to victory. (Somehow the Count survived the crash. He appears, apparently uninjured, in the wedding scene ending the film).
Of course, with two versatile musical talents available, "Viva Las Vegas" is packed with song and dance numbers throughout. Elvis sings seven solo tunes, and Ann-Margret performs two songs, along with showcasing her dancing talent several times. The two also combine for a vocal duet and a couple of dance numbers. It was the only time in Presley's film career that he shared the spotlight with a performing talent of comparable ability. Reluctantly, I must admit that Ann-Margret held an edge over him in their musical performances in "Viva Las Vegas". Choreographed dancing was never Elvis's strength, and while he was lively enough on his feet in this film, he couldn't quite match his co-star's energetic dancing style.
"Variety" parceled out the performing kudos as follows: "Neither EP nor A-M fares too well histrionically, but then this isn't the kind of vehicle that demands high-powered emoting... A few of the musical specialties have some merit and sparkle. The title tune gives Presley his meatiest and most commercial sounding material. His co-star's best number, although not her most sensually torrid, is the "My Rival" routine in which she laments the competition of his would-be profession. They pair up most successfully on "The Lady Loves Me", which has the earmarks of a fairly popular wax entry."
For other reasons, though, Ann-Margret received some scolding from "Tube". He thought the starlet's physical assets were overstressed in the film: "Any excuse to stare at a derrierre in motion seems good enough for director George Sidney and cameraman Joseph Biroc. The provocative pulchritude of Ann-Margret and assorted other chicks and chorines makes the sexy scrutiny downright pleasurable to the male eye, but there is a certain lack of tastefulness or subtlety about the film's obssesion with peeping at anatomical contours and epidermis simply for the sake of peeping."
Of course, norms for such arousing displays in films have changed in the past 60 years. Today the worst that can be said about Ann-Margret in "Viva Las Vegas" is that she was just too darn cute.
Elvis and Ann-Margret shared no classic romance (at least on-screen) in "Viva Las Vegas". In fact, the stubbornness of their characters was more reminiscent of a volatile teenage romance. The only real amorous stretch in the film was the day the two starry-eyed young lovers spent together flying, waterskiing, and nightclubbing. It was enough, though, to link the two young entertainers together in the public consciousness for decades to come. There will always be speculation concerning the personal relationship between Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, but "Viva Las Vegas" will always be ready to testify to the magic they created together on-screen back in 1964.
But before we get to the main feature, let's enjoy...
The Pre-show:
Last week's main feature was "Play It Cool" where we had the chance to enjoy Billy Fury's first film. Well, this week we'll have the opportunity once more to enjoy that film but all in one file and dedicated exclusively to the musical numbers. I'm sure that, is always a treat!
Sun Records continues with Chapter 6. There are many inaccuracies and "Hollywood style" embellishment but, nevertheless it does strike our "fifties vibe" with the music and the cinema settings.
And the "star" of this week's "Pre-Show" is a thick & heavy Ann-Margret folder complete with interviews, musical numbers, screen tests, Ann-Elvis relationship info, and a whole stack of extra stuff which I'm sure any Ann-Margret fan or 60s pop-cinema fan will enjoy.
All the above has been curated for the pleasure of sharing it with you. Many hours have been invested and lots of fun has been guaranteed for all. So what are you waiting for?
The Main Feature:
Title: Viva Las Vegas (aka: Love In Las Vegas)
Director: George Sidney
Cast: Elvis Presley / Ann-Margret / Cesare Danova / William Demarest / Nicky Blair
Release Date: 20th May 1964
Country: United States
On Your Way Out:
Hope you've enjoyed the evening so far. Please when you leave your seats, make sure you don't forget any personal belongings and make sure you leave your seat as clean as it was when you entered the movie theatre. Do not forget to get the "extra goodies" on your way out to remember today's event. Drive safely. Cya next week, where more fun will be shared by all.
Note: Password for all files: Shade'sVintageRadio
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