Viva Las Vegas (1964)

Race car driver Lucky Jackson goes to Las Vegas to earn money to pay for a new engine for his motor car. Working as a waiter, he still finds the time to court young Rusty Martin.

Director:

George Sidney

Writer:

Sally Benson

Stars:

Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret, Cesare Danova

3 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Elvis Presley	...	Lucky Jackson
Ann-Margret	...	Rusty Martin
Cesare Danova	...	Count Elmo Mancini
William Demarest	...	Mr. Martin
Nicky Blair	...	Shorty Fansworth
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Dallas Johann	...	Dancer
Rickey Murray	...	Delivery Boy (as Rick Murray)

Storyline

Lucky Jackson arrives in town with his car literally in tow ready for the first Las Vegas Grand Prix - once he has the money to buy an engine. He gets the cash easily enough but mislays it when the pretty swimming pool manageress takes his mind off things. It seems he will lose both race and girl, problems made more difficult by rivalry from Elmo Mancini, fellow racer and womaniser. Perhaps some singing will help.

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Plot Keywords:

waiter | race car | rivalry | racer | swimming pool | 

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Taglines:

It's that "go-go" guy and that "bye-bye" gal in the fun capital of the world!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 May 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amour en quatrième vitesse

Filming Locations:

Henderson, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$4,675,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Jack Cummings Productions, Winters Hollywood Entertainment Holdings Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When the wedding scene was filmed, many tabloid magazines at time published photos of the "wedding" and suggested that Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret really had gotten married.

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Goofs

When Rusty is dancing in a lavender bodysuit, she wears high heels until about 2/3 way through and then she is shown with lavender ballet slippers.

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Quotes

Lucky Jackson: I guess you got big plans for your future don't you.
Rusty Martin: You'll probably find it very dull and commonplace but I want to earn enough money to help my father buy a boat.

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Connections

Referenced in Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003)

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Soundtracks

If You Think I Don't Need You
(uncredited)
Written by Red West (as Bob "Red" West)
Performed by Elvis Presley

User Reviews

Elvis at his best!!

Okay, I've seen enough Elvis movies to last the rest of my life. I've seen the westerns, the post army movies, the musicals, the documentaries. But this movie stands alone because of the performances of Elvis Presley and the beautiful Ann Margaret. If you ever wanted to see Elvis at his peak ( still young at 29, in shape, confident in his every move ) this is the movie for you. The dance numbers are some of the best I've seen from the era. Elvis was truly at the top of his game filming this movie. I only wish some of the later movies were as good. Sure, this movie has its cheesy parts, but what Elvis movie doesn't. My four year old son likes to watch the ending race sequence over and over again. I wonder who wins the Las Vegas Grand Prix?? I can't say enough about the vivacious Ann Margaret. Elvis himself was smitten for her in real life and I can't blame him. She matches Elvis song for song and dance for dance. At the time of filming, she was referred to as the "female Elvis". Deservingly so, I might add. If only Elvis and Ann had made some more movies together.