 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.
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.
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'.
 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
 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'.
If you look
very closely you'll see that one of the uncredited cliff
divers in 'Fun in Acapulco' is a young
Gene Simmons. Yes, the same Gene Simmons who
would not only try his hand at acting but also at being
a rock 'n' roller, achieving fame as a member of the
band Kiss. He was born in Israel and at
one time the multi-linguist was a school teacher. He has
gone on to careers in writing,
publishing and merchandising as well
 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'.
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'.
'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'.
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'.
 Soundtrack
Fun In Acapulco
Vino Dinero
Y Amor
Mexico
El Toro
Marguerita
The Bullfighter Was A Lady
(There´s) No Room To Rumba In A
Sports Car
I Think Im Gonna Like It Here
Bossa Nova Baby
Recorded
at:
Radio Recorders Studios, 7000, Santa
Monica Boulevard, Hollywood. January 1963
Musicians: Elvis Presley (vocals), Scotty Moore,
Tiny Timbrell, Barney Kessel (guitars), Ray Siegel
(bass), D.J. Fontana, Hal Blaine (drums), Emile
Radocchia (percussion), Dudley Brookes (piano), Anthony
Terran, Rudolph Loera (trumpets), the Jordinaires and
the Amigos (vocals).
Elvis managed to inject a
Spanish feel to his vocals for these soundtrack
recordings accompanied by the Amigos. A single "Bossa
Nova Baby" reached number eight in the charts.
Fun in Acapulco
Paramount 1963
Directed:
Richard Thorpe
Writing Credits: Allan
Weiss
Producer: Hal Wallis
Associate
Producer: Paul Nathan
Assistant Director:
Michael Moore
Hairstyle Supervision:
Nellie Manley
Musical numbers staged by:
Charles O'Curran
Music scored and conducted
by:
Joseph J. Lilley
Special photo effects by:
Paul.k Lapae
Art Direction: Hal Pereira
and Walter Tyle
Technical Advisor: Colonel
Tom Parker
Cast
Overview:
Elvis Presley .... Mike Windgren,
Ursula
Andress .... Marguerita Dauphin, Elsa Cárdenas
.... Dolores Gomez, Paul Lukas .... Maximillian Dauphin,
Larry Domasin .... Raoul Almeido, Alejandro Rey ....
Moreno, Robert Garricart.... Jose Garcia, Teri Hope ....
Janie Harkins
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