Get Ready to Laugh with Elvis: The Bloopers of Blue Hawaii

Blue Hawaii bloopers: The funny Elvis moments you didn’t catch

Elvis Presley’s classic film, Blue Hawaii, is not only a visual treat with its stunning Hawaiian backdrop and amazing soundtrack, but it’s also filled with delightful mistakes that will make you love the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll even more. While Elvis charmed his way through the 1961 musical with his undeniable charisma, a few slip-ups managed to make it into the final cut. Let’s take a closer look at the little-known bloopers that make Blue Hawaii even more fun to watch.

A Movie Full of Hilarious Moments

Despite mixed reviews from critics, Blue Hawaii became the 10th top-grossing film of 1961, earning $4.2 million at the box office. Elvis played the role of Chad Gates, a charming ex-G.I. who leaves his father’s fruit business to become a beach-loving tour guide. Packed with hilarious moments and showcasing Elvis’s excellent comedic timing, the movie allowed him to play off other talented actors, including many comedy greats of their time. Plus, let’s not forget the incredible soundtrack that gave us classics like “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

The First of Its Kind

One interesting fact about Blue Hawaii is that it marked a big change for Elvis. It was the first time his character wasn’t a performer with a built-in reason to sing. Instead, Chad Gates would spontaneously break into song at unexpected moments, like while lounging on the beach or paddling a canoe. It may seem a little cheesy, but that’s what makes Blue Hawaii such a fun and feel-good movie.

The Blueprint for Elvis Films

Blue Hawaii’s success paved the way for a winning formula in Elvis’s future films. His manager, Colonel Tom Parker, decided to use it as the blueprint for all upcoming Presley movies: set Elvis in an exotic location, add beautiful co-stars, and make sure he sang enough songs to fill an entire album. And guess what? It worked! Elvis became a Top Ten Box-Office Star seven times throughout the 1960s.

Fun Facts Behind the Scenes

Here are a few more hidden gems from the making of Blue Hawaii:

Did you know that during the filming, if you turned up the sound loud enough when Elvis first steps off the plane, you could hear hundreds of screaming fans who were there watching the shoot? Talk about an electric atmosphere!
Juliet Prowse, who starred alongside Elvis in G.I. Blues (1960), was originally signed to play Maile Duval in Blue Hawaii. However, she had some unusual demands, like bringing in a makeup artist from another studio and having the film’s studio cover the cost of flying her secretary to Hawaii. When these demands were turned down, she decided to walk away from the role.
Elvis’s talent as an actor is often underrated. But during the production of Blue Hawaii, he experienced some discomfort and frustration. According to an interview with Anne Fulchino, a publicity director who worked with Elvis, he felt humiliated and trapped by the movie. Despite this, Elvis managed to deliver a strong performance that captured hearts worldwide.
Elvis and his girlfriend at the time, Anita Wood, had a mischievous side. During the filming of Blue Hawaii, they pulled off a hilarious prank by pretending that Elvis was dead. The prank caused quite a commotion with his entourage, who rushed to his house in a panic. Elvis’s nonchalant explanation, “I just wanted to see what you guys would do,” left everyone laughing.

More Fun Facts and Hidden Details

Blue Hawaii is packed with fun facts and hidden details that only true fans might notice:

There’s a noticeable edit mistake in the “Almost Always True” car scene. Maile’s hands suddenly change position on the steering wheel, and Chad’s left arm magically shifts from resting on his seatback to stretched out behind Maile.
In the pineapple field scene, Ellie mysteriously switches seats in the car, all for camera angles and dialogue purposes. A classic continuity slip!
Did you notice that when Chad plays the ukulele, he doesn’t change chords even though the music does? Elvis actually gave that famous ukulele to his friend Hank Garland, a renowned guitar player. Elvis even etched his initials into it.
The patch that Chad wears on his uniform in Blue Hawaii is actually the insignia of the 3rd Armored Division of the U.S. Army, also known as ‘Spearhead.’ This was the division Elvis served with during his time in the army.

Relive the Magic of Blue Hawaii

From the incredible scenes filmed in the beautiful Hawaiian landscape to the unforgettable moments behind the scenes, Blue Hawaii is more than just a movie for Elvis. It’s an experience. So, the next time you watch Blue Hawaii, keep an eye out for these little details and fun facts. They add an extra layer of enjoyment to the film and remind us why Elvis Presley remains a true legend, both on and off the set. Let’s keep the Aloha spirit alive!