As a devoted fan of The King I'm a bit more tolerable than the average non-Presley fan when it comes to his films. I tend to take away the positives from the likes of "Double Trouble" and "Speedway" (admittedly two of his lesser films) and the bad kinda' gets forgotten...or willed away.
I mention those other two flicks 'cause I just recently downed 3 Presley flicks in a row. I started with "Stay Away, Joe" and I nearly packed it in. I'm being extremely generous rewarding the film with 3 stars. There's hardly anything to recommend it...even to hardcore Elvis fans.
Elvis doesn't even attempt to act here and yet he fares better than old pro Burgess Meredith who gives a shamefully bad performance as Elvis's father. Depictions of Native-Americans here consist of excessive drinking at all times, low IQ's and laziness beyond belief. The comedy here is so over the top and badly performed that the only laughs stem from the likes of "Oh god - how bad can it get?". The script-if there ever was one-is chock full of stupid lines and one ridiculous scenario after another. And the songs; apart from the opening song they're silly and forgettable.
Now I've laid out why the flick is bad and probably Elvis's worst. But The King looks absolutely smashing here and has probably never looked fitter. This film came at about the time of his Comeback Special and Elvis worked real hard at getting in physical shape...and it shows. Although he doesn't act here at all his presence is welcomed and he looks like he's enjoying himself and it's somewhat infectious...not much but a bit.
It's a stretch but I'm awarding another star to the beautiful scenery in the flick. During the entire ordeal the viewer at least is treated to pleasant images of beautiful country and that (at least) pleases the eye. The third and final star goes to the gorgeous opening song "Stay Away" that plays out over beautiful images. In fact; the first three minutes of the film are very pleasant...too bad the rest isn't.
I mention those other two flicks 'cause I just recently downed 3 Presley flicks in a row. I started with "Stay Away, Joe" and I nearly packed it in. I'm being extremely generous rewarding the film with 3 stars. There's hardly anything to recommend it...even to hardcore Elvis fans.
Elvis doesn't even attempt to act here and yet he fares better than old pro Burgess Meredith who gives a shamefully bad performance as Elvis's father. Depictions of Native-Americans here consist of excessive drinking at all times, low IQ's and laziness beyond belief. The comedy here is so over the top and badly performed that the only laughs stem from the likes of "Oh god - how bad can it get?". The script-if there ever was one-is chock full of stupid lines and one ridiculous scenario after another. And the songs; apart from the opening song they're silly and forgettable.
Now I've laid out why the flick is bad and probably Elvis's worst. But The King looks absolutely smashing here and has probably never looked fitter. This film came at about the time of his Comeback Special and Elvis worked real hard at getting in physical shape...and it shows. Although he doesn't act here at all his presence is welcomed and he looks like he's enjoying himself and it's somewhat infectious...not much but a bit.
It's a stretch but I'm awarding another star to the beautiful scenery in the flick. During the entire ordeal the viewer at least is treated to pleasant images of beautiful country and that (at least) pleases the eye. The third and final star goes to the gorgeous opening song "Stay Away" that plays out over beautiful images. In fact; the first three minutes of the film are very pleasant...too bad the rest isn't.