Blue Hawaii bloopers: The funny Elvis moments you didn’t catch

Elvis Presley’s Blue Hawaii (1961) isn’t just a visual treat with its beautiful Hawaiian scenery and famous songs. It’s also packed with fun behind-the-scenes stories and bloopers that add to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s lasting charm. While critics may not call Blue Hawaii Elvis’s best movie, fans love its feel-good appeal and timeless fun.

A New Direction for Elvis

This movie was different from Elvis’s earlier roles. For the first time, his character, Chad Gates, wasn’t a singer or performer. Still, Chad found reasons to sing, whether relaxing on the beach or paddling a canoe. Some might call it corny, but it created a playful vibe that fans adored.

This mix of exotic places, catchy music, and romance became a formula for Elvis’s later films. Thanks to Blue Hawaii’s success, his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, used this style to keep Elvis on the Top Ten Box-Office Stars list seven times during the 1960s.

Fun Bloopers and Hidden Stories

A Crowd of Real Fans

In the opening scene, when Chad gets off the plane, you can faintly hear real-life fans screaming. Hundreds of locals gathered to see Elvis, and their excitement couldn’t be fully edited out.

Juliet Prowse Walks Away

Joan Blackman eventually played Maile Duval, but Juliet Prowse was offered the role first. After co-starring with Elvis in G.I. Blues (1960), Prowse had unusual requests, like bringing her makeup artist and flying her secretary to Hawaii. When these demands were refused, she left the film.

The Famous Red MG

Elvis loved cars, and the film featured a 1960 MGA 1600 MkI roadster. He liked it so much that he bought it during filming. Today, the car is part of his collection at Graceland, displayed alongside Cadillacs, Stutzes, and motorcycles.

Bloopers to Spot

Even Hollywood productions make mistakes, and Blue Hawaii is no different. Here are a few fun errors to look for:

• The “Almost Always True” Car Scene: Maile’s hands change positions on the wheel, and Chad’s arm moves instantly from the seatback to behind her.
• The Pineapple Field Mystery: Ellie stays in the car during a scene, but her position oddly switches sides for better camera angles.
• The Magic Ukulele: In one musical scene, Chad strums a ukulele without changing chords, though the music suggests he should. This ukulele later became a gift for Elvis’s guitarist, Hank Garland.

Elvis’s Love for Hawaii

Hawaii became a big part of Elvis’s life, on and off screen. Blue Hawaii was filmed in stunning locations like the Coco Palms Resort, where Chad and Maile’s wedding was filmed. Though the resort was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992, fans still visit the site.

Elvis returned to Hawaii for his final vacation in March 1977. He stayed at the Hilton Rainbow Tower before relaxing at a beach house with his girlfriend, Ginger Alden, and her sisters.

Elvis’s Thoughts About the Film

Even though fans adore Blue Hawaii, Elvis didn’t always enjoy making it. Publicity director Anne Fulchino said he felt stuck in repetitive roles and was often frustrated. Despite this, Elvis’s charisma and professionalism shine in the film.

Elvis’s Playful Side

On set, Elvis kept things fun. He played pranks and even took golf lessons from pro Gary Player. Whether you’re drawn to the classic songs like Can’t Help Falling in Love or enjoy spotting bloopers, there’s always something special about Blue Hawaii.