Elvis Presley is one of those American icons who simply cannot be replicated.
His amazing chemistry with Ann-Margret lit up the screen in the 1964 film Viva Las Vegas, especially in their playful and perfect duet ‘Lady Loves Me.’
But not everything went according to plan on set. There were bloopers and mistakes in the film that went unnoticed — until now. Ready to find out what you missed? Let’s take a closer look!
Elvis and Ann-Margret made cinema and music history together in Viva Las Vegas, which became Elvis Presley’s highest-grossing film. Elvis Presley plays Lucky Jackson, a determined race car driver aiming for big wins in Las Vegas. Ann-Margret plays Rusty Martin, a vivacious dancer who wins Lucky’s heart.
In my opinion, this is one of the most underrated films of all time.
In addition to the exciting performances, it features old Las Vegas landmarks that have long since disappeared.
The chemistry between Elvis and Ann-Margret on screen was undeniable, and their off-screen connection was just as vibrant. But beyond the glitz and glamour, there are some hilarious bloopers, little-known mistakes, and amusing moments that even the biggest fans might have missed.
Elvis’s box office gem
I always thought that the legendary Blue Hawaii was the highest-grossing of Elvis’s 31 theatrical films. If I were asked about it in a quiz, I would confidently answer 10 times out of 10 that it was the highest-grossing film.
But surprise, surprise — Viva Las Vegas did indeed take the crown, beating Blue Hawaii by $450,000. Despite mixed reviews, the film became Elvis Presley’s highest-grossing film.
Viva Las Vegas is only 1 hour and 25 minutes long and is the shortest film in Elvis Presley’s career.
Ann-Margret above Elvis Presley
Today, it is difficult to imagine what an icon Elvis was and remains. But did you know that in some cinemas, tickets for Ann-Margret were priced higher than those for Elvis Presley because of her popularity at the time?
This says a lot about how popular and in demand the stunning Swedish-born Ann-Margret was in the mid-1960s.
Too much emphasis on female physical attributes
Ann-Margret, who was 22 at the time, did not escape criticism when the film was released. A Variety reviewer, who called himself only ‘Tube,’ commented on the film’s emphasis on her physical attributes:
“Director George Sidney and cinematographer Joseph Biroc seem to think that any excuse to ogle a moving backside is good enough. The provocative voluptuousness of Ann-Margret and other chicks and chicks makes sexual ogling frankly pleasing to the male eye, but the film lacks taste or subtlety in its obsession with peeping at anatomical contours and epidermis just for the sake of peeping.”
Not a bad review, right? But even with such attention, Ann-Margret’s star power still shone through.
Casinos that survived the neon glow
The film Viva Las Vegas played a key role in shaping the city’s image as a global tourist destination. But, as I mentioned, of all the casinos shown in the 1964 opening of Viva Las Vegas, only six remain today. This is an interesting fact that shows how much Las Vegas has changed over the years.
The filming locations were scattered throughout Las Vegas, taking place before Elvis’s wedding to Priscilla at the Aladdin Hotel and his famous residence at the International Hotel (now Wingate).
Why was Viva Las Vegas so popular?
The popularity of Viva Las Vegas can be explained by a number of factors: the undeniable chemistry between Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, the memorable and energetic soundtrack, and the dazzling technicolour footage showcasing both the stars’ magnetic performances and the bright, neon-lit Las Vegas.
The moment Elvis and Ann-Margret met
Apart from his family, Ann-Margret held a special place as one of the most significant women in Elvis Presley’s life.
The Swedish immigrant first met Elvis Presley in early July 1963 at Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood. It was there, on an empty MGM sound stage — except for a piano — that they were introduced to each other and the press as the stars of Viva Las Vegas. Ann-Margret recalled the moment:
‘On the MGM stage where Elvis and I met, there was nothing but a piano. In the background, several of his guys watched their boss — a ritual I soon grew accustomed to expecting.’ Under the watchful eye of director George Sidney, the studio photographer took pictures of what the film company executives believed would become a historic moment.
‘Elvis Presley, meet a wonderful girl, Ann-Margret,’ said George Sidney. ‘Ann-Margret, this is Elvis Presley.’ Elvis and I didn’t pay much attention to his significance. I held out my hand, and he shook it cautiously. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you,’ we said at the same time, which made us laugh and broke the ice.
The passion between Ann-Margret and Elvis
Looking at footage and scenes from the film Viva Las Vegas today, it is clear that the chemistry between Ann-Margret and Elvis was undeniable from the very beginning.