Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Michael D. Moore

Writers:

Allan Weiss (story)
Anthony Lawrence (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

15 June 1966 (USA)

Genre:

Musical | Comedy

Tagline:

His newest! His Biggest!

Plot:

Rick Richards is a helicopter pilot who wants to set up a charter flying service in Hawaii -- along the way he makes some friends...

Plot Keywords:

Hawaii | Helicopter | Remake | Elvis Presley | Beautiful Woman

Cast

Elvis Presley	...	Rick Richards
Suzanna Leigh	...	Judy Hudson (Friday)
James Shigeta	...	Danny Kohana
Donna Butterworth	...	Jan Kohana
Marianna Hill	...	Lani Kaimana
Irene Tsu	...	Pua
Linda Wong	...	Lehua Kawena
Julie Parrish	...	Joanna
Jan Shepard	...	Betty Kohana
John Doucette	...	Donald Belden
Grady Sutton	...	Mr. Cubberson
Doris Packer	...	Mrs. Barrington
Mary Treen	...	Mrs. Belden
Don Collier	...	Andy Lowell
Philip Ahn	...	Moki Kaimana

Also Known As:

Hawaii, USA (USA) (working title)
Hawaiian Paradise (USA) (working title)
Polynesian Paradise (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:G | Singapore:PG | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:G

Filming Locations:

Hanalei Plantation Resort, Kaua'i, Hawaii, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Assistant and second unit director Michael D. Moore had worked with Elvis Presley six times before directing this film.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Full House: Tanner's Island (#3.1)" (1989)

Soundtrack:

Stop Where You Are

Elvis Loved Hawaii

Paradise, Hawaiian Style is the second of three films Elvis Presley filmed in Hawaii. What a lucky guy, three trips to Hawaii for free at Paramount's expense. Good a reason as any to visit the islands.

Elvis plays a pilot who gets together with good buddy James Shigeta to form a helicopter touring and freighting service. Shigeta takes care of the business end of the business and Elvis both flies and charms his way into the hearts of various local beauties to plug his service at the hotels they work at.

Funniest thing in the movie is Elvis trying to fly a helicopter with about five dogs running around with their ditzy owner as well, miracle he wasn't killed. The owner insists they not go in doggie carriers and Elvis, desperate for business, is the only pilot to agree with that insanity.

Paradise, Hawaiian Style is not as good as Blue Hawaii, the songs he sings here are markedly inferior. But I like the film because a lot of it was shot at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Northern Oahu. Some might recognize the film music used when Elvis makes his first appearance there. It's the famous theme from Donovan's Reef, also shot in Hawaii and another favorite of mine.

That center was the highlight of the attractions I saw in the Aloha State and should not be missed by any tourists.

Another reviewer said the film must have been a deal with the Hawaiian Tourism Board with all the beautiful outdoor location shooting. Good a reason as I've ever heard to watch a film.