Spinout ** (1966, Elvis Presley, Shelley Fabares, Carl Betz, Cecil Kellaway, Will Hutchins, Una Merkel, Deborah Walley, Diane McBain) – Classic Movie Review 6239

Director Norman Taurog’s 1966 romantic comedy musical stars Elvis Presley as a band singing, gal-chasing racing driver called Mike McCoy. He may be chasing girls, but three women are after him this time: his band’s drummer Les (Deborah Walley), spoiled heiress Cynthia (Shelley Fabares) and writer Diana (Diane McBain).

This corny vehicle is one of three of Presley’s lesser vehicles that co-starred Shelley Fabares: Girl Happy (1965), Spinout (1966) and Clambake (1967).

His fans probably didn’t recognise treasured veterans Cecil Kellaway and Una Merkel. People who remember them probably won’t have heard of ‘Beach Shack’, ‘Adam and Evil’, ‘Spinout’ and ‘Smorgasbord’ — the mundane, forgotten songs Elvis sings. Although it says here on the poster ‘ELVIS SINGS NINE GREAT NEW TOE-TAPPING TUNES!’

Also in the cast are Will Hutchins from TV’s Sugarfoot (who also appeared in Clambake), Carl Betz, Jack Mullaney, Warren Berlinger, Jimmy Hawkins, Dave Barry, Dodie Marshall and Frederic [Frederick] Warlock.

It is written by Theodore J Flicker and George Kirgo, shot in Metrocolor by Daniel L Fapp, produced by Joe Pasternak and scored by George Stoll.

It was also known as California Holiday.

Theodore J Flicker died on 13 September 2014 at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 84. Co-writing Spinout was his first break in features.

© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 6239

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com