Tickle Me (1965)

Expected more

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

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

Songs: "Long, Lonely Highway", and "Night Rider", both by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman; "I Feel That I've Known You Forever" by Doc Pomus and Alan Jeffreys; "Slowly But Surely" by Sid Wayne and Benjamin Weisman; "It Feels So Right" by Benjamin Weisman and Sid Wise; "Dirty, Dirty Feeling" (English version of Si Seulement!) by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller; "Easy Question" by Otis Blackwell and Winfield Scott; "Put the Blame On Me" by Norman Blagman, Kathleen G. Twomey and Fred Wise; "I'm Yours" by Don Robertson and Hal Blair. All rendered by Elvis Presley. Oddly, none of the songs were especially written for the film. All were taken from RCA record albums previously issued by Presley. No doubt because of a feeling that the market was already over- saturated, RCA did not issue an LP of songs from the film, but only a tie-in EP featuring five of the nine songs, namely "Dirty Dirty", "Night Rider", "Known You Forever", "Put the Blame" and "Slowly But Surely". Copyright 11 April 1965 by Allied Artists. U.S. release through Columbia Pictures: 28 May 1965. New York opening at the Palace: 23 June 1965. U.K. release through Warner-Pathe: 5 July 1965. Australian release through Columbia Pictures: 10 December 1965. 90 minutes.SYNOPSIS: A singing rodeo star is hired by the lady boss of a dude ranch beauty spa.COMMENT: Although it was panned by contemporary critics. "Tickle Me" is a very likable film, showcasing Elvis at his best. The script, of course, is strictly hoke, but it serves as a reasonably suspenseful and intriguing springboard for a host of songs, a surprisingly large amount of action, thrills, humor and other novelties — plus the usual bevy of beautiful girls. Norman Taurog's direction is nothing if not pacy, the color widescreen photography rates as most attractively glossy, whilst production values romp over the line as tip-top.OTHER VIEWS: A very funny film... Jocelyn Lane was the prettiest co- star Elvis ever had. The movie was fun for the entire family. In fact "Tickle Me" remains one of the best children's pictures ever made. — Paul Lichter in his definitive book, "Elvis in Hollywood".

Saw this flick when I was 14..was getting old enough to know it was kind of silly and did not really exploit the great talents of the great Big El. (can still hear a Dad in the packed theatre in Union City, NJ, shout out to his kid, "what a movie!" - and he was not frowning).no character development here for Elvis...but who really cares? his best soundtrack of all, yes, because good tunes were selected from pre-existing releases...although deep fans will enjoy hearing nice horn overdubs and most importantly, a new vocal for I FEEL THAT I'VE KNOWN YOU FOREVER, a beautiful ballad based upon a Classical melody.Elvis' comedic talents are all over the place, he has developed great comic timing, and subtle, nuanced reactions to the craziness of his "Jerry Lewis-influenced" buddy (whose name escapes me). in fact, Dean and Jerry could have pulled this one off, in a decade long ago and far away.and girls..girls...girls...not just barely legal but just shy of middle age squeezes of rich, married guys who use the supposed health spa/ranch for women, to catch a breather.Three Stooges writers Bernds and Ullman wrote this and the zany antics abound. a few minor tweaks, or edits of some tired sight gags would have been welcome.check this one out: Elvis' funniest since FOLLOW THAT DREAM. shucks, friends, this here may be his *funniest*!

Elvis Presley plays the Panhandle Kid, working at an all-female dude ranch. Doing what? Well, he pitches hay, checks out the gamms on the girls while they're exercising, struggles with his female boss (who can't keep her hands off him), and of course sings. But, in an outrageous but silly/enjoyable plot twist, it turns out one of the young ladies is involved with villains who are after her hidden treasure. All this leads E.P. to a ghost town, where the bad guys are all dressed as ghouls! A brainless hoedown, but Jocelyn Lane is a very sexy cowgirl and some of Presley's songs aren't too bad. Elvis' self-conscious swagger is always good for a few chuckles and the haunted house finale is something new (at least for a Presley picture). **1/2 from ****

A very funny film. The soundtrack was composed of old songs from earlier Elvis LPs (to keep the film's budget at a minimum). Elvis looks great and Jocelyn Lane looks incredible. In my opinion (along with many others), Jocelyn was the prettiest costar Elvis ever had. Julie Adams is very attractive as the "older" woman. Practically all of the women in the film are hot (and there are loads of groovy gals). In fact--although not intending to be--"Tickle Me" remains one of the best children's pictures ever. I certainly couldn't get enough of it when it played at the local theater when I was in grade school. I went back to see it again five times! What can I say? Puberty calling!