User reviews

Nightclub singer Elvis Presley (as Rusty Wells) is hired to chaperone sexy Shelley Fabares (as Valerie Frank), with predictable results... While it was not strong enough to have be trumpeted as a significant improvement at the time, "Girl Happy" is a cut above the (then) average Presley movie. Most importantly, director Boris Sagal, along with the writing team of Harvey Bullock and R.S. Allen, effectively make more of a situation comedy with Elvis music, than the more often used, and vacuously plotted, "Elvis travelogue" with tunes. The comedy is well-paced, nicely played, and includes some genuinely funny moments.

Ms. Fabares' innocent sexuality compliments Presley, and they play very well on screen together. Fabares was understandably invited to co-star in additional Presley movies (with mixed results, due to weakening material). Also very good are Elvis frantic band-mates Jimmy Hawkins (as Doc), Gary Crosby (Andy), and Joby Baker (Wilbur). Fabares and Mr. Hawkins had been a cute teenage couple on "The Donna Reed Show". Mr. Crosby was one of Bing's sons (which turned out to be less fortunate than you'd think). And, Mr. Baker was in a regrettably short-lived Dick Van Dyke-type comedy called "Good Morning World".

MGM wisely used RCA's soundtrack studio record takes for "Girl Happy" (for the most part). In the past, there were sometimes completely separate versions for film and record, with the lamer versions making the film. Presley recorded the "Girl Happy" songs in June 1964; in hindsight, these and the just completed "Roustabout" were the last gasp of Presley as a dependable pop soundtrack singer. Critics weren't enthusiastic about his 1960s film songs, but there were scattered gems throughout. Nothing herein approaches "Return to Sender", but there are no real dogs, either.

The speeded-up vocals evident on "Girl Happy" were not uncommon; recording stars and record companies routinely speeded-up recordings. In the 1960s, many radio stations speeded up every record they played; this way, they could play more records, and get in more commercials. Many old TV shows are speeded-up, also… but, back to Presley: His next film, "Tickle Me", featured no newly recorded soundtrack songs. After a long period of inactivity, he recorded "Harum Sacrum", the first wholly substandard soundtrack of his career. That was followed by "Frankie and Johnny". So, dig right in and "Do the Clam".

****** Girl Happy (3/27/65) Boris Sagal ~ Elvis Presley, Shelley Fabares, Jimmy Hawkins, Gary Crosby

Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.

For a mid-60s onwards Elvis film, 'Girl Happy' is pretty good and while not one of his best films, like 'King Creole', 'Flaming Star', 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Viva Las Vegas' and 'Loving You', it is a long way from one of his worst (much worse followed).

The story is thin and formulaic, with parts not always making sense, and the dialogue is corn and silliness-heavy and enough to make one cringe. The extras' acting is indeed awfully wooden and just looks amateurish.

However, the settings are suitably exotic and the film is beautifully photographed. On the most part, the songs are good. Could have done without "Wolf Call" and "Do the Clam", the latter of which also being pretty embarrassingly choreographed, but the title song, "Puppet on a String", "Do Not Disturb" and "The Meanest Girl in Town".

'Girl Happy' is fun and good-natured, knowing exactly what it wanted to be, who to aim it at and never tries to do anything more. It's all competently directed and breezily paced, while Elvis is clearly enjoying himself and is well supported by charming and fiery Shelley Fabarres, menacing Harold J. Stone and perky Mary Ann Morbley. The chemistry between Elvis and Fabarres is great.

All in all, good bouncy fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Perhaps it's the beach pleasant atmosphere, perhaps it's lovely leading lady Shelley Fabares, perhaps it's an overall decent story and competent supporting actors but Elvis seems to be enjoying himself in "Girl Happy" and chances are you will too.

Elvis plays a lead singer of a hot rockn' roll band who manipulates himself and his band into chaperoning a gangster's daughter while she's partying in Fort Lauderdale - so they can escape the freezing cold in Chicago. And soon he falls for her and she for him.

It's a simple, lightweight story as usual with Presley's later films but the songs are good ("Puppet on a String" especially beautiful), it's got lovely scenery (although heavily set in studio, as most Presley films) and competent performances from all involved. Shelley Fabares is a knockout beauty but she's also a good performer and looks quite dashing on stage with the King performing "Meanest Girl in Town".

Enjoyable light-hearted fun. A good movie by mid-sixties Elvis standards. Elvis' favorite leading lady was Shelly Fabres and it's easy to see the chemistry they had together. Most of the songs are very good, unlike many of Elvis' movie soundtracks of the time. Most memorable to me is the wonderful "Wolf Call". And this time the story seems to hold together, as Elvis plays an actual professional singer, rather than a his typical race car driver or daredevil who also sings. His group, which appears regularly in Ft. Lauderdale during spring break, has been asked, after some convincing from Elvis, by his gangster-like employer at their Chicago club gig to keep an eye on his daughter while down there. Lots of funny scenes which keep things rolling along. Anyone looking to laugh and relax s little for 90 minutes should check it out.

Ft. Lauderdale frolic has Elvis Presley cast as a Chicago rock 'n roller who, along with his outfit-matching band members, takes an assignment to secretly chaperone the boss's daughter as she vacations with her girlfriends down in Florida. Plush MGM musical with a dandy production design, lots of fun slapstick and girl-watching. The plot, such as it is, doesn't make a whole lot of sense (especially with Elvis having his cover blown by Shelley Fabares' tyrannical father, who then gets mad at Presley when his daughter decides to go wild). The songs range from very good ("Puppet on a String", "The Meanest Girl In Town") to awful ("I've Got to Find My Baby", "Wolf Call"), but there's a groovin' beach bash with excitable dancing and a funny prison breakout sequence in which E.P. gets stuck in a cell with 20 females (and escapes in drag!). Mary Ann Mobley has an insulting role (and her make-up is too dark, causing her to look overcooked by the sun), but Fabares is breezy and there's a nice supporting turn by Nita Talbot as a streetwise stripper. Not bad Presley-fest, though the screenplay could've used some sharpening, and the extras are often hilariously wooden. **1/2 from ****

Elvis Presley and his band are "Girl Happy" in this 1965 film starring Shelley Fabares and featuring Gary Crosby, Mary Ann Mobley, Harold Stone, Nita Talbot, Joby Baker and Fabrizio Mioni. Presley and his band are hired by the club owner (Harold Stone) they work for to go to Fort Lauderdale and make sure that his daughter (Fabares) doesn't get into trouble. This often means cutting the romantic evenings of the band short, but Rusty (Elvis ends up combining business with pleasure.

This is pleasant enough Elvis fare. It's not the kind of movie he wanted to make, but thanks to Colonel Parker, we have a slew of them, part travelogue, part music video. Elvis looks great; the film has a lot of youthful energy and catches the spring break atmosphere. After the success of Ricky Nelson on television, TV stars had to sing, and Fabares is no exception, and she makes a darling costar for Elvis. (Her description during an interview of being told she had to sing by the producer of "The Donna Reed Show" is quite funny. She refused and was asked, "Do you want to do the show next year?") Former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley is the knockout Rusty tries to romance while on guard duty. Rusty's band, consisting of Crosby, Baker and Hawkins, do well in their roles as lascivious lads.

I wasn't as taken with the music as some on the board. It was nice, but I missed a big hit like "Return to Sender." Elvis wanted to leave a more important film legacy. I for one am grateful for any chance to see him perform.

Arguably one of Elvis Presley's best musical films, this one features plenty of witty writing and romance, with Shelly Fabares supplying the loveliness. "Do the Clam" and "Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce" are a hoot, and even the worst Elvis haters will have to admit that "Do Not Disturb" is one sexy seduction number.

This fun 1965 movie starring Elvis Presley and Shelley Fabares should be put in a time capsule for a movie representing the carefree mid-1960's in America. Kids were still fairly innocent, the Vietnam War hadn't jaded the country and the drugs that pervaded the late 1960's weren't as prevalent the time this movie was made.

Elvis plays Rusty Wells, a musician hired by a mobster Big Frank (Harold Stone) to guard his daughter Valerie (the lovely Miss Fabares) who has gone with some girlfriends to Ft. Lauderdale on Spring break. Valerie doesn't know her overprotective father has hired Rusty and his group of rag tag musicians to watch her, and of course, she and Elvis fall in love.

The movie is similar in some ways to "Where the Boys Are", but is not as serious. Of course, with it being an Elvis picture, we have to have the Pelvis sing in several cheesy but fun song and dance numbers. The songs "Girl Happy" and "Do the Clam" are classic cornball songs, but fun to watch. This movie was one of my favorites from my childhood and it is amazing to me how I can still remember the lyrics to these songs after all these years! Elvis never was a great actor, and over the years his movie roles kept getting sillier and sillier, but this movie, silly as parts of it are, is still a lot of fun to watch. And boy was Elvis hot when he was young!

Elvis Presley formula movie at its best. Some catchy music, nice scenery and girls galore. Rusty Wells (Elvis) leaves the blowing snow of Chicago for the beaches at Fort Lauderdale during spring break. Rusty and his band are to guard a mobster's(Harold J. Stone) daughter(Shelley Fabares) without her knowledge. Boy sings; girls swoon. Best songs are "Cross My Heart And Hope To Die", "Puppet On A String" and "Got To Find My Baby". Cast seems like a party list featuring Mary Ann Mobley, Gary Crosby, Joby Baker, Jimmy Hawkins, Chris Noel and Nita Talbot. One of the most liked Elvis flicks. Soundtrack sold tons.

Another Elvis Presley movie, another cringe-inducing title: predictably, as trivial as can be but, surprisingly enough, quite a fun, comedic vehicle with Elvis and his band assigned to chaperone a gangster's teenage daughter at a holiday camp. Shelley Fabares is among Presley's cutest female leads (she would co-star with him twice more in just as many years) and at times reminded me of Martha Vickers's thumbsucking Carmen Sternwood in Howard Hawks' THE BIG SLEEP (1946)! Of course, the couple's eventual romance is complicated as much by the easily misunderstood situation as by their being needlessly involved with other partners.

Familiar character actor Harold J. Stone, usually noted for drama, is the gangster but, while he plays it mostly straight, isn't exactly menacing either; the songs are a cut above-average, though "Do The Clam" – a would-be instant 'beach blanket' hit – is a definite low point! Former child star Jackie Coogan – of Charles Chaplin's THE KID (1921) fame and who was then undergoing a brief career renaissance as the lunatic Uncle Fester in the cult TV series, THE ADDAMS FAMILY – appears here as a flustered cop but his participation is, alas, an undistinguished one.

Amazingly, I recently learned – through a newspaper article written by a friend of my father's who happens to be the No. 1 Elvis fan I know and who was also the one to introduce me to home video technology back in 1985! – that GIRL HAPPY was banned in Malta on original release (most probably due to a 'hot' striptease act the boys witness more than once during their runarounds after a tipsy Fabares)!!

At first sight, it's carefree fun, Elvis here is still his good-looking, lean and smooth self, the music is surprisingly fresh and compelling, and the oversaturated colors of the movie add to the sunny feeling. On the other hand, by nowaday standards it's all too obvious how fake and cheap the settings are, all studio-done in stead of on location; how the really funny moments are scarce; and how between his songs Elvis only goes through the required motions with uninterested and slightly bored magnanimity. Even his supposed love for sweet and attractive Shelley Fabares impresses as lacklustre and hardly passionate.

What surprised me the most, was the slighting way in which girls are treated and talked about. Especially by the three Jordanairs, they almost drool at the first sight of girls in bikini, they besiege and jump on every girl that comes along, they elaborately praise curves and contents of bathing-suits, and all the time pop-up from behind bushes with yet another girl. But also Elvis himself is part of it, we see him literally throwing a girl around to make out with her, and forcing himself on her when she tries to hold him back (of course the script doesn't let her really mean that, but still!).

The ultimate illustration of this was the spectacled nerd who at the start of the movie is ridiculed when he argues that he only should like a girl for her brain and not her body, and at the very end of the movie is seen with his arms around a full-breasted bimbo, stating about this girl: "I know that there is nothing in the attic, but boy, what a staircase!" And is complimented by Elvis for at last coming to his senses!

I know, it's meant as harmless fun, and it's of course a sign of those times, I shouldn't look at it with the eyes of 2020's #me-too convictions. But still it made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

Girl Happy is typical of the mid-sixties beach movies,and to some extent,it is similar to another earlier film,"Where the Boys Are".Both take place in Fort Lauderdale,Florida during college spring-break.The plot is simple,and the songs are plentiful.Besides looking and sounding great,Elvis displays his natural talent for comedy,which most actors will admit is more difficult than straight drama.The film is pure fun and moves pretty quickly.Harold J. Stone is excellent as the tough,gangster-like father of co-star Shelley Fabares,who is her usual adorably cute love interest.Plenty of slapstick comedy with Elvis assisted by Gary Crosby(Bing's son),Joby Baker,and Jimmy Hawkins.If you are looking for a fun-filled musical 90 minutes without profanity,violence,substance abuse, or nudity/sexuality,then Girl Happy will make you happy.What's taking the studio so long to release this title on DVD?

With the metaphorical anvil of university exams dangling precariously overhead, I decided I needed something to lighten the mood. So I turned to the King, Elvis Presley – a man whose legendary talent, charm, and good looks were sure to brighten my wearied spirits. In this frothy 1960s teen comedy with a stupid title, Rusty (Presley) and his band of sex-starved musicians (including Gary Crosby, son of Bing) are sent down to sunny Fort Lauderdale to chaperone, from a distance, the daughter of their employer. Though initially unenthusiastic about watching the plain-looking, academic Valerie (Shelley Fabares), the boys quickly change their tune when she lets her hair down and slips into something, let's say, more appropriate to the Florida climate. Many romantic hijinks consequently ensue, including a high-speed boat ride, an impromptu beach party (involving a completely hideous "dance" called The Clam), a drunken strip-club brawl, and a prisonbreak going the wrong way.

Most films that try to make a beautiful actress appear plain or bookish (usually before a surprising transformation) do an absolutely terrible job of it. Here, conversely, a very pretty Shelley Fabares is made to seem convincingly unappealing in her first few appearances. This illusion is, of course, quickly abolished, as Rusty comes to fall for her intelligent charms, even while straying occasionally towards a more conventional pin-up girl called Deena (Mary Ann Mobley). Though the boys' spring-break romances never get beyond wholesome necking, the social attitudes are nevertheless rather liberal, with frequent overt references towards sex. (Even the nerdy bloke, played by Peter Brooks, ultimately decides that casual sex is better than finding "a girl with a mind"). Elvis' performance is laidback and entertaining, and Fabares has a fun chemistry with him; she would appear in two more movies opposite The King.

How I loved this when I was 14. Watched it about 10 years later ....elvis at 29 making this kind of fluff ? AND with mostly poor songs, poorly produced . (Soundtrack is horribly mixed ). The man who conquered Hollywood by age 23 , succeeding as a dramatic star in several pictures , one intended for Marlon Brando , was now grinding out silly formula flicks , with songs written by teams of writers forces with composing to fit the scenes ! Elvis and his co star, Shelley fabares , both were about 7 years too old to be doing this , though they look great together - and Shelley is a wonder - though her best acting came later in the sitcom Coach . The songs are , admittedly kinda catchy , but there's really say, 3 worth hearing more than once . There's a real rocker here , "the meanest girl in town ", also known as "she's evil " by Bill Haley and His Comets , it's pretty great . If you are a very casual elvis fan , not judging his Hollywood output against King Creole or flaming star or Follow that dream or Viva Las Vegas, you just might enjoy , on some Friday night , this comedy . The story is groovy , the premise funny . Dark Chicago to sunny Florida . Elvis is a struggling band leader told to look out for a mob guys daughter during spring break . Well......maybe it will make you "happy "er ! First buy a Six pack and six kfc wings .

Producer Joe Pasternak gave us "Where The Boys Are" in 1960, about Fort Lauderdale during Spring Break, from a female point of view. That movie starred pop singer Connie Francis, but she only sang two songs (the theme & "Turn On The Sunshine" during the film). Five years later, Pasternak gives us "Girl Happy" from a male perspective. What "Where The Boys Are" lacked in musical numbers, "Girl Happy" makes up for with several fluffy, enjoyable tunes. Elvis & pals are "watching over" his Chicago bosses daughter (Shelley Fabares) while she's in Florida. Of course, he eventually falls for her, & things go hay wire when she finds out he was hired to look after her. Mary Ann Mobley is thrown in to complicate matters & add some semi-comic moments. The clothes, colors, faux motel (so obviously NOT filmed on location & SCREAMS: Hollywood backlot!!!) are visually attractive & festive. Nita Talbot is also thrown in for sleazy fun, much like Barbara Nichols was in "Where The Boys Are". Elvis looks fit (although he's the only male actor who never wears shorts, or a swimsuit) with that perfect black hair & piercing blue eyes.

Girl Happy finds the King as lead singer of a group that consists also of Gary Crosby, Joby Baker, and Jimmy Hawkins. They're appearing at a club in Chicago run by mobster Harold J. Stone. They'd like to go to Fort Lauderdale to pick up both loose chicks and loose change as it is the spring season. Stone won't let them go. But an opportunity comes when Stone's daughter Shelley Fabares also wants to go to Fort Lauderdale for spring break. Stone sends Elvis and the rest to go to Fort Lauderdale as unofficial chaperons.

No need to go any father because as always happens the King finds it nice work and he's got it. But he also has former Miss America Mary Ann Mobley chasing him. We should all have such troubles.

In the tradition of Presley pictures, Colonel Tom assembled a fine group of people before and behind the camera like veteran director Norman Taurog who has an Oscar to his credit. Besides those mentioned Nita Talbot plays a worldly stripper with good advice and a good routine with a newspaper outfit for her act. There's also John Fiedler as the motel manager and unofficial keeper of the morals of the youth of America and Jackie Coogan as a police sergeant.

No great songs come from Girl Happy, but they're all in the Elvis Presley style and suit the film for him. Fans of Elvis will like the film as will others.

Rusty Wells (Elvis Presley) leads a band performing in Big Frank's nightclub. They are eager for some fun in Fort Lauderdale until Big Frank extends their stay at the nightclub. When Big Fank's daughter Valerie (Shelley Fabares) insists on going to Fort Lauderdale with her friends, Rusty seizes on the opportunity and offers to spy on her while the band performs there.

This is beach blanket Elvis. It's relatively wholesome with Elvis singing. I would like for more exterior locations especially the beach. There is too many interior work. Even the poolside is overtly inside a studio. This needs some sunshine and fresh air. Inside the studio stage can feel rather stuffy. Aside from that, Elvis doesn't have a memorable hit in this one. Fabares is not standing apart from all the other cute girls. It all feels very familiar and safe. There's nothing new or exceptional. It's Elvis in a beach film.

Bad.

The music is OK, but most of these movies, are the same : get a girl, no matter what she wants.

I have never seen a movie, as bad as these, talking about the sexual features, of women, as though men had every right, to bed any girl that he wants.

By the way, and this is not meant to criticize the women, but all of them, in these Elvis films, are very overweight.

Thinly "plotted" Elvis Presley comedy with Shelley Fabares, who reportedly was Elvis' favorite of all his leading gals. Elvis is the front man in a vintage '60s pop group who leaves the snowy city of Chicago along with his band mates for a spring break down in the warm and bikini-busy Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He manages to secure the trip by telling his mobster employer that he'll be sure to keep an eye on his boss' college-aged daughter (Fabares, who's cuter in SPINOUT) while she's also vacationing down there with her girlfriends. Typically zany mishaps ensue, but along the way there are some enjoyable songs... "Girl Happy," which is the best of the bunch, "Do Not Disturb," "Puppet on a String", "Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce", and the latest beach blanket rage, "Do the Clam"! Presley still seems to be pretty game. **1/2 out of ****

Because they were just the perfect match of that time, to perform a such movie. It's the best movie of Elvis, combining many styles of music and appropriate dance of those golden years of rock, shake, and twist. Shelley did her best youngness' show performance together with Elvis. The movie revealed also one of the best team of dance around the King, on that empty beach with bushes, while performing "Do the Clam" song. If Fort Lauderdale could keep the tracks of that year buildings and entertainment resorts, it might be another business around Elvis.

Do not forget to review from time to time the King and Shelley. It's a very good entertainment when you've got tired and dance lack of desire.

Elvis made this one about halfway through his movie career. A mobster hires rusty and his buddies to keep an eye on his daughter valerie (shelley fabares) on spring break in fort lauderdale. Hijinx ensue, as they try to keep up with her. Keep an eye out for sunny... nita talbot was also "marya" on hogan's heroes. Jackie coogan, child movie star plays sgt. Benson. John fiedler, the motel manager, was also mister peterson on bob newhart. And did the voice for winnie the pooh for years! The usual elvis plot of boy meets girl, they hit it off. Big blowup, but they'll probably get back together by the end. It's silly but fun,like most of his films. Similar plot to palm springs weekend, which came out in 1963. And ps weekend was directed by taurog...who directed a TON of elvis films. Tommy farrell (glenda's actual son) plays louie; he was also in kissin cousins. This one directed by boris sagal. Was nominated for four emmies, before he died young at 57. Taurog must have been on vacation that week.

To me GIRL HAPPY was one of the best Elvis films ever, great acting, great music, great fun to watch. This is a film that no Elvis fan should miss. Go to your local video shop and rent this film if you haven't already seen it, its good stuff.

9/10

This Elvis musical follows the formula of his other films: music, girls, and fights. Here he plays Rusty Wells, a singer who travels to Ft. Lauderdale with his band on spring break. Big Frank (Harold J. Stone), the owner of the Chicago club where he performs, pays him to monitor the activities of his daughter, Valerie (Shelley Fabares), who is also headed to the Mecca of teen spring beach parties.

Also staying at their hotel is the curvaceous Deena (Mary Ann Mobley, who was Miss America 1959). She turns Rusty's head, and he ping-pongs between the two girls, until he finally decides which one should get all his attention.

This is the first of three films Elvis made with Fabares. Because of her role in TV's "The Donna Reed Show" and her prior release of a successful record, she was almost the distaff equivalent of Ricky Nelson. In this film, she shows herself to be a trooper, playing the good girl, but also the girl breaking out, including some dance moves reminiscent of Ann-Margret.

Elvis gets to sing plenty of songs, but none of them are hits. Because this film was released not long after the Beatles upended the American charts and scored with "A Hard Day's Night", Rusty's 4-man group is primarily seen with three guitars and a drum set. But these films fail to capture the ingenuity and excitement of the Beatles.

Watch for Jackie Coogan as a police sergeant. He is better known for "The Addams Family" and his work as a child star.