Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii” is more than just a visually stunning movie with breathtaking Hawaiian scenery and an unforgettable soundtrack — it’s also full of charming blunders that only add to our affection for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
In this 1961 musical, Elvis captivated audiences with his magnetic presence, but a few delightful mistakes somehow made it past the editors, making the film even more endearing.
When it comes to music, performances, or timeless good looks, there’s no one quite like Elvis Presley.
Though debates about his best movie will undoubtedly continue, “Blue Hawaii” often doesn’t make the top three in expert rankings. However, it remains a beloved classic, with a unique charm that keeps fans coming back for more.
A Few Little-Known Bloopers
“Blue Hawaii” is packed with unforgettable moments, including Elvis’s spot-on comedic timing. His chemistry with the talented cast, many of whom were comedy legends, only adds to the film’s charm. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, “Blue Hawaii” became a major success, ranking as the 10th top-grossing film of 1961, pulling in $4.2 million at the box office. Elvis’s portrayal of Chad Gates, a fun-loving ex-G.I. who leaves his father’s fruit business to become a beachside tour guide, was both endearing and entertaining.
And who could forget the soundtrack? With hits like *Can’t Help Falling in Love*, which soared to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, *Blue Hawaii* gave us one of Elvis’s most timeless songs.
However, beyond its stunning visuals and Elvis’s undeniable charisma, *Blue Hawaii* is also full of unexpected bloopers and behind-the-scenes goofs that make the movie even more enjoyable to watch today. Ready to spot some of these hidden gems? Let’s dive in!
A Major Shift in Elvis’s Film Roles
Something that might go unnoticed by many is that *Blue Hawaii* marked a significant shift in Elvis’s career. For the first time, his character wasn’t a performer with an inherent reason to sing. Instead, Chad Gates would burst into song at the most random moments — from lounging on the beach to paddling a canoe. Sure, it was a bit cheesy, but that spontaneous musical magic is precisely what makes “Blue Hawaii” so lighthearted and fun to watch.
“A Blueprint for All Future Presley Movies”
When “Blue Hawaii” became a massive hit, both at the box office and with its soundtrack, Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, saw a winning formula. He quickly decided to use it as the model for all of Elvis’s future films. The plan? Set Elvis in an exotic location, add a few beautiful co-stars, and ensure he had enough songs to fill an entire album. And guess what? It worked! Throughout the 1960s, Elvis made the Top Ten Box-Office Stars list a staggering seven times.
“Hundreds of Screaming Fans”
Here’s a little gem to keep in mind the next time you watch *Blue Hawaii*. According to IMDb, when Chad (Elvis Presley) first steps off the plane, if you turn up the sound high enough, you can actually hear hundreds of screaming fans who were watching the shoot. How cool is that?
“Juliet Prowse’s Special Demands”
It’s hard to imagine “Blue Hawaii” without Elvis and Joan Blackman, who played Maile Duval. But here’s a fun tidbit: Juliet Prowse, who starred alongside Elvis in “G.I. Blues” (1960), was initially signed to play Maile in “Blue Hawaii”. However, she had some unusual demands – she wanted to bring in a makeup artist from another studio and have the film’s studio cover the cost of flying her secretary to Hawaii. When those requests were turned down, she decided to walk away from the role.
Elvis Looked ‘Disgusted’ and ‘Ashamed’
Elvis Presley has often been underrated as an actor, but when given solid material, he consistently delivered powerful performances. While *Blue Hawaii* is often celebrated as a fan favorite, the filming experience wasn’t all sunshine and palm trees for the King himself.
According to Anne Fulchino, a publicity director who worked with Elvis, the King found the whole experience somewhat humiliating. Fulchino recalled a time when she visited Elvis on set and noticed his unease.
“It took a while before he came over and talked to us, and when he did – I used to call him ‘Chief,’ and when I said, ‘Hi, Chief,’ he looked at me like he wished I hadn’t come,” Fulchino shared in *Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley* by Peter Guralnick.
Fulchino understood why Elvis felt that way, adding, “If I was making these crappy pictures, I wouldn’t want to see anybody from my past either. That’s the reason I didn’t hang around.”
She left the set early, and it was clear to her that Elvis was deeply uncomfortable. “He was obviously uncomfortable with what he was doing, frustrated, and disgusted — it was all in his face,” Fulchino said. “The emotion I respected most was that he was ashamed of it, which meant that he knew better — but you could see that he was trapped.”
“When Elvis Yelled “CUT!””
Filming “Blue Hawaii” was no easy feat for Elvis Presley. With legions of fans constantly trying to catch a glimpse of the King, security had to be on high alert. Elvis couldn’t go anywhere without extra protection, which meant he missed out on many of the island’s tourist attractions. However, there was one experience he made sure to enjoy—golf lessons from professional golfer Gary Player.
Gary Player recalled, “After I won my first Masters in 1961, I received a telegram from Elvis – The King. A telegram, not as easy as a text today! We were playing in Los Angeles, and I went to the set of “Blue Hawaii” where Elvis was filming. He saw me walk in the room and yelled ‘CUT!’”
True to his gentlemanly nature, Elvis immediately put on a jacket before approaching to shake Player’s hand. “Elvis had just started playing golf and asked for a few swing tips,” Player continued. “I gave him a practice swing, and I swear, it was like a cow giving birth to a roll of barbed wire! So, I adjusted his grip and told him to use his hips more during the downswing. He said, ‘Baby, you’re talking to the right man,’ and gave us all a little shake.”
Elvis Played a Frightening Prank
Elvis wasn’t all serious on set—he had a mischievous side too. During the filming of “Blue Hawaii”, Elvis and his girlfriend at the time, Anita Wood, teamed up for a hilarious prank. Their plan? Elvis would pretend to be dead!
A Priceless Prank
Out of nowhere, Anita Wood began screaming that Elvis wasn’t breathing, sending his entourage into full panic mode. They rushed to his house, desperately trying to call an ambulance—only to find Elvis sitting up casually, explaining with a smile:
“I just wanted to see what you guys would do,” according to Cheatsheet.
The Red MG Roadster
If you’re an Elvis fan, you already know about his love for luxury cars, but one vehicle that caught his attention during the filming of *Blue Hawaii* was the 1960 MGA 1600 MkI roadster. Elvis loved it so much that he ended up buying it. Today, that iconic red MG is part of the collection at Graceland, alongside his Cadillacs, motorcycles, Stutzes, and a variety of other prized possessions.
A Popular Wedding Location
Hawaii quickly became one of Elvis Presley’s favorite filming locations, and it’s easy to see why! During the production of “Blue Hawaii”, Elvis filmed three movies there. One of the most iconic moments came in the picnic scene with Chad and Maile, filmed at a stunning overlook off Tantalus Drive. This breathtaking location has become such a popular spot that it’s now a prime wedding destination.
And here’s a fun fact: While filming “Blue Hawaii”, Elvis stayed at the famous Coco Palms Resort, which also made an appearance in the movie. Not only did it host Elvis and Joan Blackman’s on-screen wedding, but it was also the backdrop for the unforgettable “Hawaiian Wedding Song” scene.
In its prime, the Coco Palms Resort attracted Hollywood legends like Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, and Bing Crosby. Unfortunately, the resort was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and has never been rebuilt. So, if you visit Hawaii, you can still find the remains of the Coco Palms, a lasting piece of Elvis history.
Elvis Wanted to Marry Joan Blackman
During the filming of “Blue Hawaii” in 1961, Elvis Presley formed a deep connection with his co-star, Joan Blackman. Their chemistry was undeniable, and Joan herself admitted to feeling an immediate spark when they first met in 1957.
“When we first set eyes on each other, there was a spark, a magic in the air… There was just that special something between us, sometimes so warm and wonderful you could almost reach out and touch it,” Joan recalled in a 1977 interview with “Midnight Globe”.
Elvis, clearly smitten, wasn’t shy about expressing his desire to make Joan his wife, even asking her to appear in more of his films. But Joan had her own aspirations: “I wanted parts because of my ability, not because I was dating Elvis,” she explained.
A Bad Cut
Now, for the “Blue Hawaii” fans with a sharp eye, here’s a blooper that slipped past the editors. In the “Almost Always True” car scene, there’s a noticeable edit error: Maile’s hands change position on the steering wheel, and Chad’s left arm goes from resting on his seatback to suddenly stretching out behind Maile, making it a fun catch for the movie’s keen-eyed viewers.
“Pineapple Field Scene”
In the pineapple field scene, there’s a small continuity mistake that fans may have missed. Ellie is seen staying in the car, clearly sitting in the back seat on the driver’s side, while the rest of the group heads to the stand. However, when Chad returns with some pineapple, Ellie has mysteriously switched to the passenger side — all to accommodate the camera angle and dialogue. It’s a classic example of a continuity slip that adds a bit of extra charm to the film.
“The Magic Ukulele in “Blue Hawaii”
“Blue Hawaii” featured 14 songs, more than any other Elvis movie, and one iconic musical moment involves Chad strumming a ukulele. If you closely observe, you’ll notice that Chad doesn’t seem to change chords, even though the music continues to play. The ukulele itself also holds special significance. Elvis later gave this ukulele to his friend, Hank Garland, a renowned guitar player who toured with Elvis from 1958 to 1961. Elvis, appreciating Hank’s skill, even etched his initials into the ukulele. During a 1961 Hawaiian benefit concert, Elvis called Hank “one of the finest guitar players in all of the country.”
“The Patch Chad Wears on His Uniform”
The patch that Chad wears on his uniform in *Blue Hawaii* isn’t just a random decoration. It’s the insignia of the 3rd Armored Division of the U.S. Army, known as “Spearhead.” This is the same division Elvis Presley served with during his time stationed in Germany, where he earned the rank of buck sergeant. A subtle detail that connects the film to Elvis’s real-life military service!
“Final Holiday”
In a poignant full-circle moment, Elvis Presley’s final vacation in March 1977 took him back to Hawaii, a place that held deep personal significance for him. He and his Memphis Mafia stayed at the Hilton Rainbow Tower, soaking in the beauty and tranquility of the islands once again. Afterward, Elvis moved to a beach house with his girlfriend, Ginger Alden, and her two sisters. It was a bittersweet return to the paradise that had been part of so many cherished memories, including his iconic *Blue Hawaii* film, making this trip a special, emotional chapter in his life.
