Cast
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Elvis Presley
as Scott Hayward / 'Tom Wilson'
Shelley Fabares
as Dianne Carter
Will Hutchins
as Tom Wilson / 'Scott Heyward'
Bill Bixby
as James J. Jamison III
Gary Merrill
as Sam Burton
James Gregory
as Duster Heyward
Suzie Kaye
as Sally
Harold Peary
as Doorman at Shores Hotel
Marj Dusay
as Waitress
Jack Good
as Hathaway
Olga Kaya
as Gigi
Angelique Pettyjohn
as Gloria
Sam Riddle
as Announcer
Wallace Earl
as Ellie (as Amanda Harley)
Sue England
as Cigarette Girl
Crew
Director
- Arthur H. Nadel
Producer
- Arthur Gardner
- Arnold Laven
- Jules V. Levy
Reviews
Wuchak
_**Elvis goes to Florida to water ski and compete in a boat race**_
The rich son (Presley) of an oil tycoon (James Gregory) takes off to Florida. On a lark, he trades places with an amusing man of low status (Will Hutchins) to see if he can find a woman who loves him just for himself rather than for his wealth. Shelley Fabares plays his love interest, Bill Bixby his rival and Gary Merrill a boat entrepreneur.
“Clambake” (1967) was Elvis’ 25th movie and he would only do six more before leaving cinema for good. After the release of this film he only had 10 more years to live.
It’s a fun flick and shows that not all of his late 60’s movies sucked. While it’s not on the level of “Blue Hawaii” (1961), "Kid Galahad" (1962), “Roustabout” (1964) and “Viva Las Vegas" (1964), it’s entertaining as an innocuous half-serious, half-campy drama/musical. It’s certainly more compelling than “Fun in Acapulco” (1963), “Kissin’ Cousins” (1964) and “Spinout” (1966).
Elvis’ sidekick Will Hutchins helps make this one so fun and it’s always good to see Bixby and Merrill. Meanwhile Fabares is winsome, but too shapeless to hold my interest. On that note, there are several notable women in the periphery, like Angelique Pettyjohn and Marj Dusay.
The clambake song & dance scene is a highlight in a swinging 60’s way; it’s just all-around well done and iconic of the era. The playground sequence with the kids and the quirky song "Confidence" is cute and warmhearted.
Elvis started to struggle with his weight around this time and wasn’t happy about doing musical fluff when he wanted to do more serious stuff. To add insult to injury, the less-than-stellar performance at the box office ensured that this was the last movie he could insist on his $1 million price tag. Despite all this, Elvis looked bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. There’s no doubt he still had his charisma.
The film runs 1 hour, 39 minutes, with the second-unit scenes shot in Miami, the Florida Keys & the Everglades, Florida, while all the Elvis scenes were done at Universal Studios & Van Nuys, California.
GRADE: B-/B
Nov 9, 2020
Thematic Analysis
Clambake represents a fascinating example of Comedy/Music/Romance cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Arthur H. Nadel brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1967, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Clambake took approximately 31 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 99 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 143 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- The screenplay went through 9 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1967, when this film was released:
- Counterculture movements were challenging traditional values.
- Social and cultural revolution was transforming Western societies.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Clambake shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Harold and Maude, which focuses more on action than character development, Clambake subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Stranger Than Paradise and Scoop explore similar territory, Clambake stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: December 4, 1967
- Runtime: 1h 39m
Where to Watch
