Viva Las Vegas

• Elvis Presley: Lucky Jackson
• Ann -Margret: Rusty Martin
• Cesare Danova: Count Elmo Mancini
• William Demarest: Mr. Martin
• Nicky Blair: Shorty

Great nights in Las Vegas is an American film musical in 1964 by George Sidney with Elvis Presley and Ann -Margret in the lead roles.

Action

Lucky Jackson is an avid racer. When he defeated the Italian Champion Count Elmo Mancini in a race that wants to hire him as a driver. But Lucky rejects the offer. He wants to drive his own car racing. His goal is the Grand Prix of Las Vegas.

Lucky Mancini and reach Las Vegas, where they learn the swimming instructor Rusty Martin know their hotels. Both fall in love with the woman. Lucky loses by an unintended dip in the pool his money and must hire themselves out as a waiter to pay his bills. Rusty falls for turn in Lucky and tries to convince him to give up racing. To make Lucky jealous, she flirts with Mancini.

Lucky's attempts to raise money for a new racing car will fail. Instead of money Lucky wins a honeymoon at a talent show. Only when Rusty's father lends him a few hours before the start of the race money, Lucky can buy the race car. At the race Mancini ruled out by an accident. Lucky wins the race and can now marry Rusty.

Reviews

The lexicon of the International film about the film: "Little original, unpretentious comedy with plenty of song and dance numbers, tailored to the singer Elvis Presley. "

The Variety praised the composition of the main character, which was a stroke of luck for the film. The story was, with the exception of a few brilliant musical numbers and an electrifying racing scene trite and cumbersome.

For Howard Thompson of The New York Times, the production is enjoyable and unimportant as a banana. Even Thompson praises the successful occupation of the main roles with Presley and Ann -Margret.

Matt Ford of the BBC holds the film for perhaps the best of Elvis Presley. The bad scenario is, however, supported only by the Presley songs.

The " TimeOut Film Guide " emphasizes that the brash style of directing the colorful vulgarity of Las Vegas meet well.

Awards

At the ceremony for the Laurel Awards, the film won second place for Best Musical. Elvis Presley and Ann -Margret reached for best actor and best actress respectively in third place.

Background

The film premiered on 30 March 1964 in Sweden. In the U.S., it was not published until 20 May of the same year. In Germany, it was first shown on 24 July 1964 in the cinemas.

The budget of the MGM production was approximately one million U.S. dollars. Worldwide played the film is a about 9.4 million U.S. dollars.

Small supporting roles, not mentioned in the credits, had Teri Garr as a dancer and John Hart as casino visitors.

Soundtrack

Elvis Presley sang in this film following songs: The Yellow Rose of Texas, The Lady Loves Me ( with Ann -Margret ), What'd I Say ( Ray Charles), Viva Las Vegas, I Need Somebody to Lean On, Come On, Everybody, Today, Tomorrow and Forever, Santa Lucia, Do the Vega and nightlife. The song You're the Boss, the Presley sang with Ann -Margret was indeed recorded but not used in the film. Presley was accompanied among others by Boots Randolph on sax, guitarist Scotty Moore, bassist Bob Moore, and DJ Fontana on drums.

Ann -Margret was before the songs Appreciation and My Rival. Added to this was the song The Climb, which was sung by the group The Forté Four.