In Florida, girl-shy singer Elvis Presley (as Toby Kwimper) and his family are out driving on a road "closed to the public" when they run out of gas. The undereducated group, including heavily "on the dole" father Arthur O'Connell (as "Pop" Kwimper) and four orphans, decide to homestead on the sunny beach where their car conks out. Despite warnings from the highway supervisor, Mr. Presley and the gang build a home. Knowing all except the "nines", Presley recites multiplication tables to keep his sex drive in check. But, Presley still notices pretty 19-year-old Anne Helm (as Holly Jones), who both agree is "well built." The other three kids are pre-teens. As their beach community grows, Presley is elected "Sheriff" and must battle gambling gangsters...
This is a very typical and feather-weight film for Presley, who was comfortably sandwiched between John Wayne and Jerry Lewis in the "Quigley Publications" list of money-making stars for 1962. No chances were taken with the lucrative Elvis formula. Here, the main strength is in the colorful widescreen location. The title song is a highlight, but "Follow That Dream" is presented in dreadful manner; mouthed by Presley after the camera established it is from a radio, it accompanies an attempted seduction by Joanna Moore. The song, and others are much stronger on disc. Originally released on a 4-track RCA Victor "EP" record, the soundtrack eventually sold a million, with "Follow That Dream" becoming a major hit single on airplay strength alone.
*** Follow That Dream (4/11/62) Gordon Douglas ~ Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, Anne Helm, Joanna Moore
This is a very typical and feather-weight film for Presley, who was comfortably sandwiched between John Wayne and Jerry Lewis in the "Quigley Publications" list of money-making stars for 1962. No chances were taken with the lucrative Elvis formula. Here, the main strength is in the colorful widescreen location. The title song is a highlight, but "Follow That Dream" is presented in dreadful manner; mouthed by Presley after the camera established it is from a radio, it accompanies an attempted seduction by Joanna Moore. The song, and others are much stronger on disc. Originally released on a 4-track RCA Victor "EP" record, the soundtrack eventually sold a million, with "Follow That Dream" becoming a major hit single on airplay strength alone.
*** Follow That Dream (4/11/62) Gordon Douglas ~ Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, Anne Helm, Joanna Moore