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Kissin' Cousins - 3
Elvis's fourteenth film was "Kissin' Cousins."
On Sunday, October 13, 1963, Elvis and the film crew traveled to the
Big Bear resort in the San Bernadino Mountains of California for
location shooting. Elvis's accommodations were at the Cedar
Lake Lodge. Location shooting began on the Monday the 14th and
continued until Wednesday November 6, 1963 when the crew returned to
the MGM studio in Hollywood.
It was then that his future wife Priscilla Beauliue,
who lived at his home, Graceland, in Memphis first got to be at the
studio during the production of one of Elvis's movies. Her
visit was cut short when a few days later Ann-Margret, whom Elvis
had dated and who was his co-star in the then yet to be released
"Viva Las Vegas" shot earlier that year, was quoted from
London saying that she was in love with Elvis. Colonel Parker
worried that the press would inquire about Priscilla and Elvis's
relationship, so Priscilla returned to Memphis.
Actress Pamela Austin played Selena Tatum in "Kissin'
Cousins."
She also had a role in the Elvis movie "Blue Hawaii" and dated Elvis
for a time during that production.
She would go on to marry Charles Britt, a Los Angles Ram's football
player.
She was also known as the "Dodge Girl" as she often appeared in
Dodge automobile commercials.
Her career also included appearances on many TV series including
"The Wild, Wild, West," "It Takes A Thief," "Hawaiian Eye" and
"Laugh In" to name a few.
She also starred as Pauline in the 1967 movie "Perils of Pauline."
Cynthia Pepper played Corporal Midge Riley, who in
the film ends up with Elvis's character Jodie. Her career
included regular roles on the TV series "My Three Sons" and
"Margie." She also starred as Sally in the 1965 film "Sally
and Sam." Yvonne Craig played Azalea Tatum, the girl who
catches Elvis's other character Josh. She also appeared in the
Elvis film "It Happened at the World's Fair" and dated Elvis for a
time. She began her career as a ballet dancer and then went on
to star as "Gidget" in the 1959 movie of the same name.
She might be best remembered for her role of Batgirl in the 60s TV
series "Batman."
In "Kissin' Cousins" there is a group of lusty
mountain maidens called The Kittyhawks, who are in search of men and
descend upon Josh Morgan (Elvis) and the platoon of soldiers
who accompany him to the Tatum's home on Big Smokey Mountain.
The actress cast as the leader of this group was Maureen
Reagan, daughter of the late President Ronald Reagan and actress
Jane Wyman.
She had made her movie debut in 1949 in "It's A Great Feeling,"
which spoofed Hollywood and featured a cameo by her and her parents.
She also appeared in the film "Hootenanny Hoot," which "Kissin'
Cousins" producer Sam Katzman and director Gene Nelson had just
finished filming.
Before her death from cancer in 2001, she went on to a second career
in politics. Another of the Kittyhawaks was was played by Beverly
Powers, who would go on to have roles in the Elvis films "Viva Las
Vegas" and "Speedway."
Jonesy was played by Joan Staley, who also played
Marge in the Elvis film "Roustabout."
The former November 1958 "Playboy" Playmate of the Month had
numerous roles in TV and film throughout the 1960s.
Veteran actor and screen writer Robert Carson
played General Sam Kruger. His film writing credits include "A
Star Is Born," "Beau Geste," "The Desperadoes" and "Ain't
Misbehavin'" among others. In 1938 he was nominated for two
Academy Awards, winning one of them for his writing of "A Star Is
Born." His acting credits include many films such as "The Ten
Commandments," "The Patsy", "The Great Race" and "The Greatest Show
On Earth." He has also had numerous guest roles on various TV
series.
Donald Woods played General Alvin Donford/
Woods was a veteran actor with over 85 movie roles dating back to
his first in the 1928 "Motorboat Mamas."
He also racked up many TV guest appearances.
Kent McCord had his film debut in an uncredited roll
in "Kissin' Cousins." He would also have small roles in
Elvis's films "Viva Las Vegas" and "Roustabout." Although he
would play a number of roles in his career, is best known as
Officer Jim Reed on the TV series "Adam-12."
He had a personal friendship with Elvis and often played football
on weekends with Elvis and other young Hollywood performers.
Filming finished and Elvis was released after stills
were shot on November 14, 1963.
Only a week later Elvis and Ann-Margret would be watching the TV
reports of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy at
his Bel Air home. "Kissin' Cousins" opened nationwide on Friday March
6, 1964. It reached #11 on the "Variety" National Box Office
Survey and was ranked #26 for the year. Some theater owners
passed out candy kisses to patrons while other had charity sponsored
"kissing booths" in the lobby.
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