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!