Is there an award for films whose titles have nothing to do with the film? This one's a winner in that category. As Elvis's film career begins to wind down, efforts to put him in less formulaic vehicles produced some odd films. Here he plays Walter Hale, the manager of a Chautauqua, an early twentieth century kind of travelling carnival with religious and educational purposes thrown in.
Some reviewers have compared this film to Robert Altman with its series of Americana vignettes, but come on, that's a stretch. There's at least one good song here, the bluesy, 'Clean Up Your Own Backyard' but it's mostly Elvis wandering around the carny in a white suit, a Panama hat, and sideburns till Tuesday, with a slightly flirtatious grin on his face to bestow upon all the women folk (mostly Marlyn Mason).
There's a loose subplot about a pharmacist (Dabney Coleman) who's a sex pest and gets what's coming to him when his shop assistant (Sheree North) murders him. There are brief cameos from Vincent Price (as the orator Mr Morality) and John Carradine (as a Shakesperean actor). It's not enough to lift this lame vehicle as it carries Elvis limping within reach of the finish line of his Hollywood career. There will be one more film before he finally calls it quits.
Some reviewers have compared this film to Robert Altman with its series of Americana vignettes, but come on, that's a stretch. There's at least one good song here, the bluesy, 'Clean Up Your Own Backyard' but it's mostly Elvis wandering around the carny in a white suit, a Panama hat, and sideburns till Tuesday, with a slightly flirtatious grin on his face to bestow upon all the women folk (mostly Marlyn Mason).
There's a loose subplot about a pharmacist (Dabney Coleman) who's a sex pest and gets what's coming to him when his shop assistant (Sheree North) murders him. There are brief cameos from Vincent Price (as the orator Mr Morality) and John Carradine (as a Shakesperean actor). It's not enough to lift this lame vehicle as it carries Elvis limping within reach of the finish line of his Hollywood career. There will be one more film before he finally calls it quits.