G.I. Blues (1960)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Too much of everything

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

After Elvis Presley's real-life Army service, he stars in a service comedy as Tulsa, a tank soldier nearing the end of his service along with several others, who dreams of opening a nightclub back in the USA, but needing money to be able to pull it off. The bet: a soldier has to spend the night in the apartment of a German nightclub singer known for her habitual rejection of suitors. As anticipated, Tulsa ends up having to do the job...but there are a number of complications, namely his fellow soldiers having their own romantic problems.The movie shows West Germany as a pretty soldier's outpost, and the movie makes no reference to World War Two. Elvis Presley sings a number of songs, including one based on an old German folk song in a cute scene at an outdoor puppet stand. Perhaps surprisingly for its era, the story mentions a boy born out of wedlock with the parents marrying afterward.This is an average movie, not as strong as Elvis's earlier ones but better than his later ones. Entertaining, but little better than fluff.

Elvis had released his best movies between 1956 and 1962, and this 1960 musical is one of the more entertaining ones, and certainly ranks high.GI Blues was Elvis first post-army flick, and is a million miles away from King Creole. That is not necessarily a bad thing, as this easy going musical romp features some nice tunes, good acting and some very fun scenes.Elvis takes part in a bet to raise enough money to open a nightclub when he gets out of the army. The bet involves him having to spend a whole night with Juliet Prowse, a nightclub dancer who is "icy" within and "hot" without. As things turn out Elvis falls in love with her and things get complicated further.The production has a wonderful setting and cast as well as a great soundtrack, including songs like GI Blues, Shopping Around and the delightful 'WOODEN HEART' as the world famous standout hit.Those where the days with no worries, just Elvis and his magic voice.. I recommend this, Well worth it...

GI Blues was Elvis Presley's fifth picture and first one since his return from the Army as America's most celebrated draftee of the Fifties. It also marked his first film with director Norman Taurog who did nine films with the King.Taurog like so many in Hollywood in front of and behind the camera was getting less and less employment and taking what he could get. These were the kind of people that Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker made sure helped his meal ticket in any way possible. Norman Taurog won an Oscar in 1931 for Skippy and was nominated for his direction of Boys Town in 1938 which won Spencer Tracy an Oscar. Over the years Taurog directed such musical performers as Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Mario Lanza, Eddie Fisher, and Debbie Reynolds. This man was most assuredly a help to the King's career and I've no doubt Parker was behind getting him. Parker is a controversial figure, especially among Elvis's legion of fans as to whether he helped or hindered Elvis's career. He might have done a little of both, but one thing the man was always sure of is that in Presley's movies, he made sure that he got the best support in front and behind the camera. Norman Taurog extended his own career via the King. Everybody made out here.The Colonel also was a master at keeping the publicity going while Elvis was a $78.00 a month GI serving in Germany. So much so there was a tremendous about of advance publicity about this film which was about a young rock and rolling soldier who finds love in Frankfurt.Elvis gets hooked into a Guys and Dolls type bet that he can't spend the night in Juliet Prowse's apartment. Prowse is a local entertainer at one of the clubs in Frankfurt and she's got a reputation as one cold lady. But you know she ain't got a chance with the king.Part of the publicity surrounding this film was Juliet Prowse's relationship with another guy she did a film with that year, Frank Sinatra. She and Sinatra were quite the item and they announced their engagement and then broke it off just as quickly. Juliet was quite the dancer both in GI Blues and in Can-Can. I remember all of this quite well as a lad. And it was always a special treat in Elvis films when he got a female co-star who was also musical like Ann-Margret, Nancy Sinatra, or Juliet Prowse.Elvis had a bunch of songs in the film including his own Blue Suede Shoes playing on a jukebox during a bar brawl. One song I really liked was Pocketful of Rainbows which he sings to Juliet while riding in a cable car. It should have been a bigger hit for him.GI Blues was a fine jump start for Elvis's return to the big screen and to his loyal legion of fans.

Elvis Presley's first movie following his discharge from the Army. He was accepted now, mainstream. Elvis was stationed in Germany, and G.I. Blues is set there. Germany is part of the "Elvis Presley trail" I envisioned myself going down. Juliet Prowse is the showgirl, famous for her legs. She is Elvis' equal and makes the film worthwhile. Speaking of Juliet, Elvis said, "She has a body that would make a bishop stamp his foot through a stained glass window." Elvis served in the the Army, 1958-60. He was drafted in peace time. He was too young for Korea and too old for Vietnam. This bit of luck made his fabulous career possible. His service was in contrast to Cassius Clay's resistance a few years later.