Silver Screenings

Sometimes the world feels different when an influential person dies, and you grieve even though you never met said person.

That was the case for millions on November 22, 1963.

Two influential men died that day, within an hour of each other, and both, curiously, were nicknamed “Jack”.

You’ve already guessed the first, the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy. The second is writer/scholar C.S. Lewis, perhaps best known for penning (our fave childhood books), The Chronicles of Narnia.

At such a time as this – the loss of a president and a beloved writer – pop culture can seem shallow and irrelevant, especially when you consider some of the Hollywood films du jour:

• It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
• Sunday in New York
• McLintock!

The week after the two Jacks died, Paramount Studios released the Elvis Presley musical comedy, Fun in Acapulco (1963). This slick confection, with eye-popping colour and ultra-fab clothes, may seem out of place to a grieving public.

Yet it was the highest-grossing musical of the year, and a song from the movie, “Bossa Nova Baby”, was in the Top 10 of the Billboard Top 100 Chart.

Presley stars as a former trapeze artist stranded in Acapulco. He becomes a gig worker as a relief lifeguard and a relief nightclub singer. (Imagine Elvis Presley struggling to find part-time employment.)

Important to the plot: Presley’s character had been involved in an accident, and he now struggles to overcome his fear of heights.

It is his good fortune that he meets a young boy (Larry Domasin), a well-connected lad with cousins in every business in Acapulco. Domasin is a mini impresario who knows Talent when he sees it, and he immediately Gets to Work promoting Presley.

To further complicate things, there are two women vying for Presley’s attention, as well as a world-famous diver who feels threatened by our hero’s presence. But we know everything will be resolved with Presley’s best interests in mind.

Does this film address deceased American politicians or British writers? Nope. It’s filled with music, water sports, and cocktails. Not to mention the stunning Acapulco scenery.

It’s our belief this is exactly what was needed in November, 1963.

Fun in Acapulco had its controversy, surprisingly, because Presley was deemed persona non grata in Mexico. According to Wikipedia, a newspaper columnist alleged Elvis made derogatory comments about Mexico (he didn’t) when he was in Tijuana, a place he never visited. (You can read the details HERE.)

As a result, there are no exterior shots of Elvis in Acapulco. A body double was dispatched, while Elvis filmed his scenes at Paramount.

However, this movie has an optimism that overrode the fracas, and, weirdly, acts as a salve.

Much of that is due to Presley himself. He’s a charismatic entertainer and, even though the role is not a demanding one, his acting is natural.

Then there’s Domasin’s performance as the resourceful entrepreneur. Domasin is a funny, smart kid who knows how to steal a movie. For example, the scene where he phones Acapulco nightclub owners, pitting one against the other to negotiate a Better Deal, is the best in the film.

There are times when those in mourning need a break from smothering grief. Fun in Acapulco taps us on the shoulder and reminds us there’s a beautiful world to explore and a life to live while we’re able.

This is a contribution to The TWO JACKS Blogathon hosted by Taking Up Room.

Fun in Acapulco: starring Elvis Presley, Ursula Andress, Elsa Cárdenas. Directed by Richard Thorpe. Written by Allan Weiss. Paramount Pictures, 1963, Colour, 97 mins.