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.
Ann-Margret’s energy and charisma were so strong that she overshadowed her three previous male co-stars. But with Elvis, it was different — he mirrored her every move. Together, they created a dynamic on-screen partnership unlike any other, which Ann-Margret would later describe as the best she ever had. And in many ways, Elvis seemed to feel the same way.
Simply put, their attraction was instant and electric.
‘We both felt the current, the electricity that ran right through us,’ says Ann-Margret. ‘It became a force we couldn’t control.’
“I’m sure the producers knew that the fast-paced musical Boy Meets Girl would be even better if there was the right chemistry between Lucky and Rusty. At first, Elvis and I could only admit that the warmth between us came from the hot desert sun. But others saw the spark right from the start,” Ann-Margret later shared.
Elvis wanted to marry Ann-Margret
Although Ann-Margret was quite reserved in revealing what actually happened between the two stars, she shared some very interesting details in her autobiography, My Story.
According to Ann-Margret, Elvis wanted them to get married. Their dates often consisted of driving up a hill, looking down at the city and talking.
“We were really kindred spirits, shy on the outside but wild on the inside. We both lived on the edge and were self-destructive in our own ways… In many ways, if you put aside the fame and what we had achieved so quickly, we were both very childish and emotionally insecure,” Ann-Margret writes in her book.
There was one problem, though — Elvis was in a relationship with Priscilla Presley. A year before the premiere of Viva Las Vegas, Elvis asked 17-year-old Priscilla to move in with him in Memphis.
Motorcycles, family, faith, and late-night conversations
Working together, Ann-Margret and Elvis quickly realised how much they had in common. In addition to their shared love of music, they were both passionate about motorcycles, deeply loved their families, sought solitude, were devoted to God, and enjoyed long conversations late into the night.
At the very beginning of filming, Elvis invited her to join him and his team for a night out at a show in Las Vegas. Ann-Margret recalled, ‘It was an innocent, friendly date. I was used to my parents accompanying me on dates, so Elvis’s entourage was no problem. His guys always treated me wonderfully.’
In turn, Elvis’s friends felt comfortable around Ann-Margret. Elvis’s cousin, Billy Smith, shared: “She made his life a little easier because she understood him and didn’t make any demands on him. She even understood his need for us. Priscilla never understood that.”
Why didn’t Elvis marry Ann-Margret?
After all, the energetic and charismatic Swede was too similar to Elvis. They were ‘mirror images’ of each other, and that wasn’t a good thing, given Elvis’s values.
He was traditional and conservative in his views on marriage. Priscilla Presley was a good fit for him in every way, but Ann-Margret was not.
They continued to send each other love letters after Viva Las Vegas, but soon after that, Elvis realised he had to break up with Ann-Margret.
We knew that our relationship had to end, that Elvis had to fulfil his obligations,” Ann-Margret wrote in her book My Story.
Although their romantic relationship ended, the couple continued to communicate even after Elvis married Priscilla. The King sent her guitar-shaped bouquets of flowers every time she performed in Las Vegas.
Ann-Margret and Elvis remained friends for life, and when she did not receive a single flower after a performance in 1977, she realised that the King had died. Ann-Margret was the only woman among Elvis’s colleagues who attended his funeral.
Controversy over the camera angle
Some argue that Viva Las Vegas is the only film with Elvis where he looked like he was having fun and was fully committed to the project. But is that really the case?
Because Elvis seemed to be at odds with director George Sidney and the way the camera angles seemed to favour Ann-Margret at his expense. According to Red West, one of Elvis’s closest confidants and bodyguards, the King did not hide his dissatisfaction: ‘He complained bitterly to us that this son of a bitch was trying to write him out of the picture.’
Elvis’ complaints did not immediately reach Colonel Parker, who had no intention of letting anyone distract attention from his cash cow. The Colonel, ever the protector, told Sidney exactly what he thought and reminded the producers that this was ‘Elvis Presley’s film.’
The hottest dance scene in Viva Las Vegas
When it came down to it, Elvis clearly received the lion’s share of musical attention. He had six solo numbers, while Ann-Margret had only two.
One of the most memorable and sizzling dance scenes in Viva Las Vegas is when Elvis and Ann-Margret take the stage to the song ‘Viva Las Vegas.’ Looking back now, 60 years later, Ann-Margret is the embodiment of the phrase ‘dance like no one is watching.’
It’s almost impossible to take your eyes off her; she simply explodes with talent and charisma. Some fans even say that this is the only time Elvis truly shared the spotlight with someone whose dancing talent could match his own.
Elvis brought his signature energy, but let’s be honest — Ann-Margret’s choreography is in a completely different league. Thank you to the choreographer (the brilliant David Winters) for giving us a dance sequence so full of life that it still amazes the imagination.
Bad lip-syncing
As some have pointed out, during the dance/musical sequence in Viva Las Vegas, it’s hard not to notice how badly Elvis Presley lip-syncs the lyrics — but honestly, with Ann-Margret’s energetic performance stealing the show, who even pays attention to Elvis?
Future Oscar nominee in the background
During the iconic number ‘What’d I Say,’ a woman dressed in a white top with black trim, a black skirt, and black high heels dances to the right of Ann-Margret.
In another number, she wears a top with red, green, and blue horizontal stripes.
If you look closely, you can see her in the background behind Ann-Margret — proof that even before her Oscar nomination, Teri Garr had already made a name for herself on the big screen.
Familiar faces in the film
And since we’re talking about familiar faces in the film Viva Las Vegas, here’s another fun fact: one of the guitarists on the soundtrack was none other than singer/actor Glen Campbell. He played guitar on both ‘What’d I Say’ and the title track.
Elvis Presley’s close friend, Red West, appeared several times in Viva Las Vegas, playing several different characters without being credited. If you look closely, you can spot him throughout the film in various roles.
A bizarre fuf in the dance scene ‘What’d I Say’.
There is a funny joke in the dance number ‘What’d I Say’ — a white ribbon or something similar appears and disappears on Lucky’s right hand fingers during the performance.
The incredible survival of Elvis’s competitors
Here’s another funny little detail from the film — one of the most mysterious moments occurs during the race.
Elvis’ rival, Count Mancini (played by Cesare Danova), gets into a terrible accident at the end of the race, but Elvis doesn’t even bat an eyelid.
He simply shrugs his shoulders and says, ‘What a pity,’ then rushes off to victory. The most interesting thing? Somehow, the count walks away unscathed and even appears at the wedding scene at the end — completely unharmed! Let’s talk about a crash course in the magic of cinema…
Ann-Margret’s honest confession about Elvis
Ann-Margret, now 83, continues to charm fans with her unfading energy and charm. The actress was recently inducted into the UNLV College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame.
And even after all these years, she continues to share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about the film Viva Las Vegas, preserving the magic of the film for new generations.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Ann-Margret shared more details about her relationship with Elvis, offering a new perspective on the couple.
It sounds strange, but I had never seen him perform before I was in the film. I know it’s hard to believe. We just found that we were very similar. We were both very shy, but when you’re performing, you become a different person. I loved my parents so much, and he loved his mother so much.
Whether you’re rewatching the film for the music, the mesmerising performances, or simply to experience the charm of the old school, Viva Las Vegas will always hold a special place in cinema history.
Take a moment to appreciate the film that made us all fall in love with the neon lights of Vegas and the unforgettable duo that brought it to life. Share the fun and nostalgia with your friends and keep the legend alive!
