Elvis' thirteenth film was 1963's "Fun In
Acapulco" for Paramount. The movie premiered nationally on November 27, 1963. It
reached #5 on the Variety weekly chart and #33 overall for the year. Paramount
promoted the movie with special souvenir "passports" they created.
The Beatles went to see this movie at a drive-in theatre in Miami while on their
first U.S. tour. It would be August 27, 1965 before the Beatles would actually
get to meet Elvis. On that occasion, according to "The Beatles Anthology", John
Lennon said, "At first we couldn't make him out. I asked him if he was preparing
new ideas for his next film and he drawled, 'Ah sure am. Ah play a country boy
with a guitar who meets a few gals along the way, and ah sing a few songs.' We
all looked at one another. Finally Presley and Colonel Parker laughed and
explained that the only time they departed from that formula - for "Wild In The
Country"- they lost money."
In "Fun in Acapulco", Elvis plays a former trapeze artist named Mike Windgren,
who had developed a fear of heights after the accidental death of a member of
his family's trapeze act, The Flying Windgrens. He ends up working as a
nightclub singer and a part-time lifeguard while trying to regain his courage
and overcome his fear. He eventually dives off the cliffs in Acapulco.
Elvis filmed the movie in Hollywood and did not travel to Mexico where some
location shots were filmed. Production began on January 21, 1963 with soundtrack
recording. As Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass were currently popular, the
brass sections of the songs echoed their style. Principal photography began on
January 25, 1963.
Elvis was very uncomfortable in his costume used during the filming of the song
"Marguerita" as he said the untucked, short sleeved shirt was something he would
never wear in real life. Because of a previously filmed shot of his double
wearing the same costume, it was too late to change the costume for continuity.
Later, he put in a request to producer Hal Wallis to be allowed to keep two of
the black silk shirts and the flamenco outfit that he wore in the film. After
filming was finished he returned home to Memphis on March 22, 1963. Priscilla
Beaulieu, his future wife, had just moved to Memphis from Germany and she was
there waiting for him. (They had met in late 1959. Her father had taken her and
the whole family along when he was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Air Force.
Elvis was stationed there with the U.S. Army.)
"Fun in Acapulco" was written by Allan Weiss, who also wrote the scripts for the
Elvis movies "Blue Hawaii", "Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Roustabout", "Paradise
Hawaiian Style", and "Easy Come, Easy Go". He was nominated in 1965 for a
Writer's Guild of America Award for "Roustabout" as the Best Written American
Musical.
"Fun in Acapulco" was produced by Hal Wallis, who produced nine Elvis movies.
The others were: "Loving You", "King Creole", "G.I. Blues", "Blue Hawaii",
"Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Roustabout", "Paradise Hawaiian Style", and "Easy Come,
Easy Go". Mr. Wallis was nominated 15 times for an Academy Award. Among them
were nominations for "Becket", "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and "The Maltese Falcon".
He won for "Casablanca".
The executive producer was Joseph Hazen, who would go on the do the same for the
Elvis movies "Roustabout", "Paradise Hawaiian Style", and "Easy Come, Easy Go".
The associate producer was Paul Nathan, who also worked on the Elvis films "King
Creole", "G.I. Blues", "Blue Hawaii", "Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Roustabout",
"Paradise Hawaiian Style", and "Easy Come, Easy Go".
The director was Richard Thorpe, who had previously directed Elvis in "Jailhouse
Rock".
Swiss-born actress, Ursula Andress played Elvis' love interest Marguerita
Dauphin. Ms. Andress went to Rome as a teen and appeared in several Italian
films. In 1962, she appeared in the British Bond film "Dr. No". "Fun In
Acapulco" was her first American film, after which she continued to star in
international films such as "What's New Pussycat?", "The Blue Max", "Casino
Royale", and "The Fifth Musketeer". In 1964, she won a Golden Globe Award as
Most Promising Newcomer Female.
Elsa Cardenas played Elvis' other love interest - the fiery lady bullfighter,
Delores Gomez. Ms. Cardenas, born in Baja, Mexico, has had roles in many Spanish
productions both film and TV. You might also recognize her from her role as
Juana Benedict in the epic film "Giant".
The most endearing character of the film (but for Elvis, of course) might well
be that of Raoul Almeido, played by then eight-year-old Larry Domasin. Raoul is
a waif shoeshine boy who seems to be a junior Colonel Tom Parker. He knows a
"cousin" in every important position in town and, as Mike Windgren's more or
less self-appointed manager, pits the cousins against each other for the best
deal for his client. His wheeling and dealing is a joy to watch. Mr. Domasin
played in a number of films in the 1960's, including "Island of the Blue
Dolphins", "Ride Beyond Vengeance" and "The Rare Breed".
Alejandro Rey played Moreno, a lifeguard who was Mike Windgren's nemesis. He
taunts him as being a "gallina" (chicken) for being afraid of heights and the
two are rivals for the love of the leading lady. Mr. Rey has worked in the films
such as "Solomon & Sheba", "Mr. Majestiyk", and "Grace Kelly". The
Argentinean-born actor began his career in South America. He is probably best
known for his roles on American TV in such series as "Dallas" and "The Flying
Nun".
Paul Lukas played Maximillian Dauphin. He was born on a train near Budapest,
Hungary and began his career on stage and in film in Budapest and in Austria. In
1927, he came to Hollywood, becoming a U.S. citizen in 1933. He performed in a
number of films including "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea", "Four Horsemen of the
Apocalypse" and "55 Days at Peking". He won an Academy Award as well as a Golden
Globe for his work in the 1944 film "Watch On The Rhine".
Troublesome teen Janie Harkins was played by Teri Hope. She was the September
1958 "Playboy" magazine Playmate of the Month. She also played a college student
in Elvis' 1964 film "Roustabout".
In "Fun in Acapulco", Mike Windgren (Elvis) performed in various nightclubs and
hotel showrooms. Club managers were played by several noted character actors.
Salvador Baguez, who played the manager of the La Perla club, had roles in "Viva
Zapata!", "The Snows of Kilimanjaro", "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing", the
1953 version of "Titanic" and others. Edward Colmans, who played the manager of
the Ambassador club, had roles in "Jubilee Trail", "Four Horseman of the
Apocalypse" and "Hellfighters", among other films. Alberto Morin, who played the
manager of the Hilton, had roles in "For Those Who Think Young", "Two Mules For
Sister Sara" and "The Cheyenne Social Club". Martin Garralaga, who played the
manager of the Tropicana hotel, had roles in "Captain Scarface", "The Secret of
the Incas" and "Island of the Blue Dolphins", in which he would again work with
Larry Domasin, who had played Raoul in "Fun in Acapulco".
Bob Harvey, who played a waiter in the movie, became a regular fixture in
various 60's beach movies including "Beach Party", "Bikini Beach", "Pajama
Party", "Beach Blanket Bingo", "How To Stuff A Wild Bikini" and "Ghost In the
Invisible Bikini".
Several other actors and actresses under contract with Paramount played small
roles in "Fun In Acapulco" in addition to roles in other Elvis movies. Mike De
Anda was also in "Girl Happy". Robert De Anda was also in "Change of Habit".
Charles Evans was in "King Creole". Stella Garcia was also in "Change of Habit".
Terri Garr (years later an Academy Award nominee for "Tootsie") was also in
"Roustabout", "Viva Las Vegas"and "Kissin' Cousins". John Indrisano had a role
in "It Happened At The World's Fair". While Howard McNear (best known as Floyd
the barber on television's "The Andy Griffith Show") was in "Blue Hawaii" and
"Follow That Dream". Linda Rand was in "Roustabout" and "Girls! Girls! Girls!".
David Renard was in "Change of Habit". Linda Rivera was in "Loving You". Mary
Treen had roles in "Girls! Girls! Girls!" and "Paradise Hawaiian Style".
Daniel L. Fapp, cinematographer for "Fun in Acapulco, went on to work with Elvis
on "Spinout" and "Double Trouble". He was nominated six times for an Academy
Award, winning one for "West Side Story".
Film editor Stanely E. Johnson also worked on "Girls! Girls! Girls!".
Art director Hal Pereira also worked on the Elvis films "Loving You", "King
Creole", "G.I. Blues", "Blue Hawaii", "Girls! Girls! Girls!",
"Roustabout", "Paradise, Hawaiian Style", and "Easy Come, Easy Go". He was
nominated twenty-three times for an Academy Award, winning in 1956 for "The Rose
Tattoo".
Art director Walter H. Tyler, who teamed with Hal Pereira on all the same Elvis
movies except "King Creole" and "Loving You", was nominated nine times for an
Academy Award, winning in 1951 for "Samson and Delilah".
Robert R. Benton was set decorator for "Fun in Acapulco" as well as the Elvis
films "The Trouble with Girls", "Easy Come, Easy Go", "Paradise, Hawaiian Style"
and "Roustabout". He was nominated four times for an Academy Award.
Sam Comer, teamed with Benton as a set decorator on "Fun in Acapulco". He worked
as set decorator on the Elvis films "Paradise, Hawaiian Style", "Roustabout",
"Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Blue Hawaii", "G.I. Blues" and "King Creole". His
accolades include twenty-six Academy Award nominations. He won in 1956 for
"The Rose Tattoo", in 1951 for both "Sunset Boulevard" and "Samson and Delilah",
an in 1946 for "Frenchman's Creek".
Nellie Manley styled Elvis' hair in "Fun In Acapulco" as well as "King Creole",
"G.I. Blues", "Blue Hawaii", "Girls! Girls! Girls!",
"Roustabout", "Tickle Me", "Paradise Hawaiian Style", and "Easy Come, Easy Go".
Wally Westmore was the makeup supervisor for the Elvis films "Loving You", "King
Creole", "G.I. Blues", "Blue Hawaii", "Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Fun In Acapulco",
"Roustabout", "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" and "Easy Come, Easy Go".
Eight-time Academy Award winner Edith Head was costume designer for "Fun in
Acapulco" as well as the Elvis films "Loving You", "King Creole", "G.I. Blues",
"Blue Hawaii", Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Roustabout", "Paradise Hawaiian Style"
and "Easy Come, Easy Go". She was nominated thirty-four times for an Academy
Award. She won in 1950 for "The Heiress", in 1951 for both "Samson and Delilah"
and "All About Eve", in 1952 for "A Place in The Sun", in 1954 for "Roman
Holiday", in 1955 for "Sabrina", in 1961 for "The Facts of Life" and in 1974 for
"The Sting".