Clambake (1967)

Inspired by the story of The Prince and the Pauper, the film concerns a rich Elvis Presley who meets a motorcycle dude and they switch places. Elvis left his daddy's oil company for some independence and they are going now to a swanky Florida hotel, where the dude has a job as a water-ski instructor. The dude would love to be in Elvis' shoes with all that money and girls fawning over him for his car and all that, and Elvis was tired of even thinking about money, money, money. It's not everything, you know? Right? Well, anyway, Shelley Fabares, who starred in three Elvis films, this being the last, has come to Florida with her own agenda of snagging a millionaire, and so is intent on getting Bill Bixby's attention, who is a rich snob but who goes for the fast type. I know this is kind of corny in parts (why did we need the C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-C-E musical number with the children?), but I've always considered "Clambake" to be one of my favorites due to the presence of Shelley, the romantic and tender scenes between them, and it's just so laid-back and unpretentious. And, it has some very good upbeat songs, along with some romantic songs, including "You Don't Know Me." I know Elvis wanted to do more than these undemanding and predictable feel-good movies, but, for what it is, it's very enjoyable and entertaining. If one didn't like this kind of movie, they wouldn't be watching them. So, why be critical? It may be no "Viva Las Vegas" with Ann-Margret, but Shelley Fabares is one of the most naturally beautiful actresses I've ever seen with her quiet reserve. It has a cute ending, too. Relax and enjoy a "Clambake" with Elvis and Shelley Fabares.

This Elvis film is a cut above the usual ones. There is more acting depth, better writing, good humor, and of course the music is fine. Elvis swaps place with a conveniently met ski instructor while on his way away from his rich father to prove himself. Will Hutchins plays the now rich oil son and is really funny. Shelley Fabares is the love interest who starts out as a gold digger looking for a rich husband. She finds one in Bill Bixby who plays a smarmy, smug, rich butt. He proposes but by this time she has fallen for Elvis, naturally. Elvis's father is played by long time actor James Gregory and he is his usual professional actor. As with most Elvis movies, especially those with beach scenes, there are lots of T and A and bikinis.

Although it has the worst title of any Elvis movie, "Clambake" (1967) is actually one of his better films. Which is surprising as it is one of his last and generally speaking each film seemed a bit worse than its predecessor. "Clambake's" salvation is certainly not in the soundtrack which is at best very ordinary, only the title song has any energy. Although there is an actual clambake scene on the beach about midway into the film, it seems thrown in just to justify the title, more impressive is a cameo of "Flipper" who had his own television show at that time.I'm inclined to credit Shelley Fabares for the good vibe I got from this film. She plays "golddigger with a heart of gold" Dianne Carter, Elvis' ultimate love interest. I never cared for her uptight Mary Stone character on reruns of "The Donna Reed Show", and therefore paid almost no attention to her until recently. But since seeing her in "Ride the Wild Surf" and "Clambake" I've had a major attitude adjustment. "Clambake" was the third time she was tapped for the love interest role in an Elvis film so obviously she and the King had grown comfortable working together. Their romance is a little different than the Elvis standard. In "Clambake" she does not start out hating or ignoring him. Instead they quickly become friends and she is obviously attracted, but she puts the brakes on any romance because she is hunting for a rich husband and has tycoon J.J. Jamison (Bill Bixby) squarely in her sights. She comes around in the end and their chemistry actually feels real, much like it did with Ann Margret in "Viva Las Vegas".The comfort factor is also apparent between Elvis and Will Hutchins, his real-life buddy. Oil tycoon Scott (Elvis) pulls a "Prince and the Pauper" and swaps places with drifter Tom Wilson (Hutchins). He wants to find someone who loves him for himself. Hutchins is supposed to provide the film's main comic relief as he enjoys the life of the rich and famous, driving Scott's "Munsters" inspired convertible and surrounding himself with gorgeous women who can't dance very well. Although the director had Hutchins overplay the part it is so poorly written that they can't squeeze many laughs out of the premise. But having most of his scenes with Fabares and Hutchins seems to have relaxed Elvis considerably, which makes both he and his film more likable. Contrary to most, I enjoyed the corny playground scene with the little girl who was afraid of the slide. The "Confidence" song is not a rip off of "High Hopes", the whole scene is a variation on the "Bounce Right Back" number Donald O'Connor did in "Anything Goes". While "Confidence" is not much of a song, this surreal scene is priceless. I wonder what long-time fans thought as they watched Elvis and Hutchins do something so totally "Guffman"? Most entertainers only do embarrassing stuff like this when they are first breaking into the business. Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Elvis does well in those movies that have a beach and water and palm tree atmosphere (even if the mountains in Miami were a little weird). In this little venture to the world of speedboat racing and romance, he gets to sing 8 more songs, including the Eddy Arnold classic "You Don't Know Me." Scott Hayward/'Tom Wilson' (Elvis) is a spoiled rich kid who wants to be loved for himself and not his daddy's money, so he pretends to be poor. he runs into a girl (Shelley Fabares) who wants a sugar daddy, and it appears she'll hook up with the racing champion (Bill Bixby). You know how it will end, so all you can do is sit back and watch the crazy antics of Will Hutchins ("Sugarfoot") as he pretends to be the real Scott Hayward.Enjoy the singing.