Cast: Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret

Directed By: George Sidney

To celebrate Elvis’ birthday (8^th January) we got a hold of one of his best movies, ‘Viva Las Vegas’ that comes with an attractive black and white booklet.

We shouldn't forget that Las Vegas is a character in itself, know for all the good and bad things that happen there. They say, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. In this film you can catch a few glimpses of what it was like back in the early 60s, its green empty spaces, its casinos, its buildings. But that’s the social life, what about the movie?

Truly speaking, we don't watch it for the plot; we watch it for the two main stars. Elvis and Ann-Margret. One can easily see beyond their movie roles and perceive them as human beings playing themselves. Uniquely talented they are, singing, dancing and staring at each other.

This was one of Presley's biggest movie hit of the Sixties. Elvis and Ann-Margret make the perfect screen couple in this brief (under 90 minutes) and breezy romp. Elvis Presley stars as a professional race car driver Lucky Jackson who comes to Las Vegas to compete in a race. He meets the luscious co-star Ann-Margret (starring as a swim instructor Rusty) and soon the two falls for each other, although they face some disagreements and personal differences along the way. It is well documented that the pair had a thing going between them during the making of this movie and their relationship translates well onto celluloid. The race itself occurs near the end of the movie, and has some cool racing scenes and vintage exotic cars. Very fun movie, it has something to offer for everyone - singing, romance, action - and of course, Elvis.

The soundtrack is one of Elvis' best of the era, a nice blend of original ballads (Today, Tomorrow and Forever, I Need Somebody to Lean On), made-to-order movie rockers (If You Think I Don't Need You, C'mon, Everybody), and the massively successful double-a-side lead single (Viva Las Vegas. Ann also adds her own tantalizing solo singing and dancing. As for Elvis, by his own admission, Elvis was not a dancer. Music simply made him shake and move to the music in very natural ways rather than in choreographic styles. ‘Viva Las Vegas’ is probably one of Elvis' best known songs, covered by many artists, and features in some well known other movies. And this film is one of the reasons.

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira