Bloopers On Blue Hawaii: The Funny Elvis Moments You Missed

Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii enchants viewers with its breathtaking Hawaiian scenery and captivating musical score, providing not only a visual feast but also a series of amusing mishaps that deepen our admiration for the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

While some mistakes may have slipped past the editors, Elvis Presley consistently captivated audiences throughout the 1961 musical with his undeniable charm. No one could match Elvis Presley in terms of musical prowess, stage charisma, or his iconic appearance, even in the most ambitious imaginations.

Although Blue Hawaii seldom ranks among the top three films in critical assessments of Elvis Presley’s oeuvre, the discussion surrounding his greatest film is likely to endure indefinitely. Nonetheless, this cherished classic exudes a distinct allure. The film is replete with lesser-known gaffes, highlighting Elvis Presley’s remarkable comedic timing and allowing him to work alongside numerous talented actors, many of whom were comedic icons of their era. Despite receiving mixed reviews, Blue Hawaii achieved a box office gross of $4.2 million, making it the tenth highest-grossing film of 1961. Elvis’s portrayal of Chad Gates, a charming former G.I. who leaves his father’s fruit business to embrace a life as a beach-loving tour guide, was both delightful and engaging. The soundtrack also yielded timeless classics, including “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” which ascended to number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Following the success of Blue Hawaii, both in its visual appeal and musical achievements, Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley’s manager, recognized a winning formula.

He decided to implement this strategy as the standard for all subsequent Presley films, ensuring that Elvis would perform a sufficient number of songs to produce an album, be situated in an exotic setting, and share the screen with several prominent co-stars. The result? It was indeed effective! Throughout the 1960s, Elvis made the Top Ten Box Office Stars list on seven separate occasions.

In addition to its stunning visuals and Elvis Presley’s undeniable charm, Blue Hawaii is also characterized by a number of lesser-known errors and behind-the-scenes incidents that enhance its entertainment value today. Are you prepared to discover some of these hidden treasures? Let us commence! Blue Hawaii marked a pivotal change in Elvis’s film career, as it was the first film in which his character did not have a built-in reason to sing.Juliet’s Unique Requests
It is challenging to envision Blue Hawaii without Joan Blackman, who portrayed Maile Duval, alongside Elvis. Interestingly, Juliet Prowse, who starred with Elvis in G.I. Blues (1960), was initially contracted for the role of Maile.

However, her unconventional demands included having the production company cover her secretary’s airfare to Hawaii and hiring a makeup artist from a different studio. Once these requests were declined, she opted to withdraw from the role.

Elvis Felt ‘Disgusted’ and ‘Ashamed’
It seems that Elvis was often underestimated as an actor. He consistently delivered compelling performances when provided with quality material.

In the case of Blue Hawaii, while the King is frequently depicted in a favorable light, was his experience entirely positive? According to Elvis’s publicity director, Anne Fulchino, the King himself found the experience somewhat embarrassing.Elvis Presley faced considerable challenges during his time in Hawaii. Due to the constant influx of fans eager to catch a glimpse of The King, security had to be on high alert. This situation prevented Elvis from fully enjoying many of the island’s attractions, as he required extensive protection to move about. However, he did prioritize one activity: receiving golf lessons from the renowned professional Gary Player.

Gary recounted, “After winning my first Masters in 1961, I received a telegram from Elvis – The King. Unlike today’s instant texts, a telegram was quite significant. While we were in Los Angeles, I visited the set of ‘Hawaii’ where Elvis was filming. Upon seeing me enter, he shouted ‘CUT!’ True to his character, Elvis donned a jacket before coming over to greet me. At that time, he was just beginning to play golf and sought my advice on his swing. After observing his practice swing, I likened it to a cow giving birth to a roll of barbed wire. I then adjusted his grip and emphasized the importance of using his hips during the downswing. He responded, ‘Baby, you’re talking to the right man,’ and gave us all a little shake.”

Elvis also had a penchant for playful antics on set, whether stemming from boredom or a desire for mischief. During the filming of Blue Hawaii, he orchestrated an elaborate practical joke with the help of his then-girlfriend, Anita Wood. The plan involved Elvis pretending to be deceased.

Wood began to scream that Elvis was not breathing, which sent his entourage into a frenzy. As they rushed to his residence in a panic to summon an ambulance, Elvis sat up and casually explained, “I just wanted to see what you guys would do.”A significant oversight
Let us now examine several mistakes that may have only been noticed by dedicated fans of Blue Hawaii.

In the “Almost Always True” automobile scene, there is a noticeable editing mistake: Chad’s left arm inexplicably shifts from resting on the seatback to extending behind Maile, while Maile’s hands suddenly alter their position on the steering wheel.

Pineapple field scene
In the pineapple field scene, Ellie remains in the car (clearly in the back seat on the driver’s side) while the others approach the stand.

However, Ellie has inexplicably shifted to the passenger side to accommodate the camera angle and dialogue when Chad returns with some pineapple—this is a classic example of a continuity error!

The enchanting ukulele in Blue Hawaii
Among all the films featuring Elvis, Blue Hawaii boasts the highest number of songs—14 in total.

Do you recall the scene where Chad is playing the ukulele? If you listen closely, you will notice that he does not change chords, even though the music suggests otherwise.

Later, Elvis gifted that iconic ukulele to his friend Hank Garland, known as “Sugarfoot.” Hank was an exceptional guitarist in Nashville and toured with Elvis from 1958 to 1961. Elvis held Hank in such high regard that he even engraved his initials into the ukulele. During a benefit concert in Hawaii in 1961, Elvis referred to Garland as “one of the finest guitar players in all of the country.”

The insignia on Chad’s uniform
The patch on Chad’s Blue Hawaii uniform serves a purpose beyond mere decoration. It represents the U.S. Army’s 3rd Armored Division, commonly known as “Spearhead.”

Elvis Presley was stationed in Germany with this very division, where he achieved the rank of buck sergeant.

Final vacation
In a remarkable turn of events, Elvis Presley returned to Hawaii, a place filled with cherished memories, for his final vacation in March 1977.

The Hilton Rainbow Tower was the residence of Elvis Presley and his Memphis Mafia during this time. He later relocated to a seaside home with his fiancée Ginger Alden and her two sisters, but that is not the end of the story.