Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962)

Why so much hype?

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Like most Elvis films, this one includes cornball comedy, bad dialogue, and some fighting. But Girls! Girls! Girls! is better than most of the them. I think this is primarily because Elvis' performance has more energy. This is true of his acting, singing, and dancing. The songs themselves are a cut above, also.Stella Stevens and Laurel Goodwin both add to the film, despite Ms. Stevens' disappointment in having to appear in the film. Ms. Goodwin must have had some training as a dancer. It's too bad she doesn't dance in the final scene.Even though this might be one of Elvis' better vehicles, it is still sad to consider what might have been--if a studio had given him a superior script, something that would have challenged him. Did he ever take acting lessons? This story about a boy who wants a boat is of little consequence.

A bit odd, but generally pleasing, colorful Elvis Presley vehicle casts the singing star as a tuna fisherman who longs to buy his own sailboat; he takes a job as a nightclub entertainer (nearly usurping former-girlfriend Stella Stevens) and balks at women who want to buy him things in exchange for his affection (another poor guy with principles!). Stevens is a tough broad who looks like she's been around a bit, though she's still a better fit for Elvis over newcomer Laurel Goodwin, who twinkles like a bobby-soxer. Elvis actually shows great passion for Goodwin (kissing her in the rain, even speaking of marriage), but she just doesn't seem his type. Musically, Elvis goes International: singing Chinese, dancing a Spanish Tango, crooning Calypso. In the rock 'n roll opener, he sings, "I'm just a red-blooded boy and I can't stop thinking about girls" (if he didn't like girls, what color would his blood be then?). The prettiest song, "Mama", is sung not by Presley but rather The Four Amigos, while Stevens seems to do her cabaret act in between various arguments. Goodwin (secretly rich) takes a job in a hat-shop, but why--to prove she has principles too? The script makes no sense, and the hot-headed character conflicts are contrived, but Jeremy Slate is a convincingly wormy adversary for Elvis, and E.P.'s performance is blithe and easy-to-take. **1/2 from ****

Seems I'm one of the few here who are prepared to write that they dislike this picture. It doesn't have any particularly great songs to off set the staid nature of the plot and crude construction of the film. Basically we have Presley as Ross Carpenter, a guy who loves life working out on the sea. But when his boss announces that he's opting out of the business, Ross must find a way to buy the boat that is so dear to him. All that and he's caught in between two lady suitors from different ends of the social spectrum.Nope, that's about it, I wish I could fire up some words of praise like I can for Jailhouse Rock and King Creole. Stella Stevens sleepwalks thru the film {even tho she's underused}, Laurel Goodwin just can't act, whilst the King looks a trifle embarrassed to be part of this mockery of his standing. Right I'm off to watch Creole to put me back on Elvis's side....3/10

It's truly a shame that Elvis wasted his natural acting ability on schlocky musicals. While Elvis musicals are always enjoyable for the die-hard Elvis admirer, "Girls! Girls! Girls!" was absurdity at its finest. Other than the novelty of hearing Elvis sing in Chinese (I kid you not!eh), this was one of the lesser enjoyable Elvis musicals. Although, Stella Stevens did provide great eye-candy. One user claims that this film finally proved that Elvis can act? LOL! If you want to see Elvis act in a better quality film, rent "Jailhouse Rock" or "Love Me Tender." The latter being his only true dramatic role. See this film only as a novelty.