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Pretty Good

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

In this film, Elvis "does battle" with Shelley Fabares (again) and two other women who are determined to marry him. In fact, the entire film is about whether or not Elvis will wed. His bandmates want him to stay single so that their band will remain intact.The film includes fast cars, of course, and some of them are impressive, but the big road race scene feels like a cartoon.Carl Betz, who plays Shelley Fabares' father in "The Donna Reed Show" from 1958-1966, plays her father in this film as well.Sometimes I cringe when films include those scenes on the beach or around the pool where bunches of bikini-clad girls go-go dance, but it did not bother me in this film. The dancing styles are like a time capsule of current choreography.Some of the supporting cast are used for (more) comic relief. The comedy is fairly sophomoric, but Jack Mullaney and Jimmy Hawkins have some genuinely funny moments.Does anyone care if Elvis marries or who he marries? Not really. Well, maybe his young female fans who want to carry the illusion of his availability. Maybe that's why the film ends as it does.

Spinout (1966) ** (out of 4) Mindless but sometimes fun film about a stockcar driver (Elvis) who must choose between marrying a rich girl (Shelley Fabares) or driving her mean father's car in a big race, which could get him a lot of money. Elvis sings nine songs in this movie and they're actually all pretty bad and they make for the worst part of the film. The movie story once again features Elvis involved and having trouble with various women but it plays out okay with a nice ending but the real fun comes from all the racing footage, which certainly looks fake but it's still fun. It's also fun seeing Elvis drive 100 mph without messing up his hair. The supporting cast are decent but Cecil Kellaway and Una Merkel steal the show with their few scenes. Elvis also gives a nice performance in the scene he does with them teaching them that being old doesn't mean things are over.

This film was rather a disappointment to me. I was expecting a movie similar to Speedway, another film where Elvis is a race car driver. Surprisingly, the fact that Elvis was a race car driver really didn't have that much to do with the movie except at the end. I was also disappointed with Jack Mullaney's performance. I was expecting him to be as funny as he was in Tickle Me when he played Elvis's half-witted sidekick Stanley. Unfortunately, Mullaney had a minor role in this movie, and in my opinion wasn't very funny but just acting stupid. The movie had some good quotes, but the music wasn't all that good, although I love the song "All That I Am". The acting in the movie wasn't the greatest I've seen, but who watches an Elvis movie expecting Oscar grade performances? I think that when watching any Elvis movie one must remember that the movies were made to be funny, light-hearted and showcase Elvis' musical talents; not to be dramatic or violent like other movies. One thing I did like about this movie is that it wasn't particularly dirty. There were a few words that didn't need to be in there, but it wasn't bad in any other way. I wouldn't mind watching it again, but I'd rather watch Follow That Dream or Blue Hawaii if I had a choice.

Elvis Presley is an out-of-shape rock 'n' roll singer who digs girls and race cars. His musical group dreams of appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show"; but, they don't look bookable, despite some nice songs. The group's visual "gimmick" is Deborah Walley as its "tomboy" drummer. She can't get the guys to notice her. Diane McBain is a writer interested in Mr. Presley's sex life. Best of the women is Shelley Fabares, the spoiled rich girl interested in Elvis. She, and the man who plays her father (Carl Betz) were both on "The Donna Reed Show". Ms. Fabares, Mr. Betz and flunkie Warren Berlinger are more entertaining than the others.Presley's good "Spinout" songs are not presented well, visually; the film attempts to hide his overweight status, with varying success. Presley's movements are noticeably stiff and ungraceful during the musical numbers. Ms. Walley, with her hair, make-up, and tight pants, does not look like a boy. Well past the point where he didn't need to, Elvis isn't trying. ** Spinout (10/17/66) Norman Taurog ~ Elvis Presley, Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, Deborah Walley