Movie Review: Clambake

At the Heartbreak Hotel there is a channel that is all Elvis all the time. Since we actually wanted to do stuff while in Memphis, we didn't get to sit in our room and enjoy it, but we did get to see bits and pieces of some movies ('Jailhouse Rock,' 'Kid Galahad,' 'Speedway,' 'Girl Happy,' and all of 'Live a Little Love a Little'). So in honor of the one year anniversary since we were there, I decided to watch an Elvis movie yesterday.

Elvis movies, for the most part, are Elvis movies. You get what you expect - Elvis, a girl, a predictable plot, and mostly cheesy songs with a couple good ones thrown in (except 'G.I. Blues' - that whole soundtrack is good). They are light and fluffy and fun.

And 'Clambake' is no different. I think it's one of the better ones, actually. In so many movies (not just Elvis ones, but movies in general) the couple knows each other for a week and are madly in love. This one takes place over a whole summer so they actually get to know each other. I also liked the girl (Shelley Faberes). So often they put Elvis with women who just don't fit - you can't imagine there being any chemistry there. This girl was good though.

There were some very cheesy songs (one was all about fixing up a boat with a product called 'Goop'), but it did have 'You Don't Know Me,' which has to be one of the most romantic songs ever. That made me swoon.

So anyway, if you're up for an Elvis movie, this one may not be one of his most well-known, but it's enjoyable, so I recommend it.