Blue Hawaii

Since the very beginning of the tiki craze in the 1930s, tiki-related themes have figured conspicuously in dozens of frequent movies. One of the earliest movies to feature a tiki theme was Hei Tiki, shot in 1935. A classic movie still popular among tiki aficionados, Hei Tiki features a mysterious neck pendant said to be a love charm. The hei tiki originates with the Maori of New Zealand, and is believed to be affiliated to the tiki statues found in Polynesia.

Another well-known movie from this era is “Kon-Tiki.” This Norwegian documentary traces the Kon-Tiki expedition of Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl. In 1947, he journeyed from South America to Polynesia on a wooden raft to prove the theory that the islands could have been populated from the east, rather than from the west, as had been assumed. The movie received an Academy Award in 1951. To the present day, it is the only feature film from Norway to win an Academy Award.

Perhaps the most well-known movie to come out of the tiki craze is “Blue Hawaii.” Set in Hawaii, this musical film featured Elvis Presley. His most successful film, the plot featured a soldier returning to Hawaii, mirroring the experiences of thousands of young men who returned home following World War II with souveniers of the Pacific that would spark the tiki craze. The soundtrack to the movie topped the charts in it is own right, with Hawaiian-influenced tunes like “Rock-a-Hula Baby” and “Ku-u-ipo” featuring the ukulele and other conventional Hawaiian sounds.

By the 1961 debut of “Blue Hawaii”, the tiki fad was in full swing on the mainland. Shot on location, mainly in Waikiki, this movie dramatically increased the popularity of the island paradise of Hawaii. Both “Blue Hawaii” and his later Hawaiian movie “Girl Happy” also feature scenes in tiki bars.

“Blue Hawaii” wasn’t the only tiki movie of the decade. 1963′s “Under the Yum-Yum Tree” featured Jack Lemmon as a bachelor whose apartment was filled with iconic tiki sculptures and Africana. His swanky bachelor pad is a classic example of tiki embellishing from the 1950s and 1960s, or the height of the tiki craze.

Many movies coming out of this era featured scenes in tiki bars, which started popping up all over the country in the 1930s, and remained wildly standard well into the 1960s. The firstborn “Oceans 11,” for example, features a scene with a tiki mask, and one of the characters asks “Remember those rum drinks we used to have at the Trader’s?” in reference to the Trader Vic’s chain of tiki restaurants. As for newer films featuring tiki, take a look at “Goodfellas,” freed in 1990. This movie features a scene with Joe Pesci in a tiki bar named The Bamboo Lounge. Unfortunately, a few scenes later the tiki lounge is torched.

Whether you are a tiki aficionado or want to get a little inspiration for embellishing your own tiki lounge, these frequent tiki-themed movies are worth a watch! Grab a few friends, make galore mai tais, and take delight in a tiki movie night.

Blue Hawaii

BLUE HAWAII – DVD Movie

Blue Hawaii Pic

Blue Hawaii Photo

Blue Hawaii Pic

Blue Hawaii Pic

Most helpful client reviews

33 of 34 persons found the following review helpful.
Guilty As Charged: I Love This Film
By James Paris
What is a self-proclaimed intellectual doing observing (and loving) Elvis films? I make no claims regarding Norman Taurog as a director, nor with regards to the believability of the script, nor regarding the authenticity of the Hawaiian music. I DO claim, however, that Elvis is the The King. The songs, the music, and the singing are fantastic. Everything else is strung onto Elvis like strings of popcorn around a Christmas tree.

Not all Elvis films are this good. What makes this one better are the shiny production values; and the letterbox print unquestionably helps. Angela Lansbury puts in a highly funny performance as Elvis’s ditzy Southern Belle mama (after all, Hawaii is the southernmost state, no?). The whole story hinges around Elvis’s return from the military and his desire to return to his snug beach bum existence, while mater and pater want him to join the family pineapple firm.

The King, of course, is subject to no law. He goes into the tour guide business, marshalling a well-preserved teacher and her four teenage charges around the islands. His Franco-Hawaiian girlfriend is jealous that there’s more than tourism going on behind closed doors.

At the end, everything comes together. Elvis gets hitched AND finds a way to work in tourism and for the pineapple firm at the same time. All is at peace in the world, and the music wells up. Finis.

27 of 28 people found the following review helpful.
Elvis in Hawaii.
By Robert S. Clay Jr.
Viewing this 1961 movie from the perspective of 2001 is a nostalgic treat. It recalls the days when the hottest venue in town was the local movie theater showing Beach Party movies, Vincent Price/Edgar Allan Poe flicks, John Wayne Westerns, and Elvis’ latest musical romp.

“Blue Hawaii” is the prototype of Elvis’ subsequent movies. It helped alter his movie persona from the James Dean wannabe of the pre-army movies into the intimate pop rock star of the mid-’60s. A very slender Elvis returns home from the army and settles in to take delight in life in the sun and spend time with his girl, Maile (Joan Blackman). His stuffy parents disapprove of his beach bum life, disapprove of his friends, and want him to put his nose to the family grindstone in his father’s business. This conflict sets in motion the lightweight plot with it is obligatory singing, dancing, and romantic complications. As in some of Elvis’ pictures, the story plainly serves as a framework for the 14 or so musical numbers. Among the best are “Rock-A-Hula Baby,” “Beach Boy Blues,” and the classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” The scenery is wonderful, the music is fun, and the comedy provokes both groans and chuckles. Angela Lansbury is hilarious as Elvis’ southern belle mother. Her air-headed reputation is an funny satire of Tennessee Williams. Howard McNear (you know, Floyd the barber on “Andy Griffith”) is funny as a befuddled owner of a tourist service. Joan Blackman and a bevy of nubile beauties look good in sixties swimwear. Great color photography and solid Hall Wallis production values add to the enjoyment. Kick back and take delight in the fun.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful.
Light Hearted Musical
By K. Anderson
Great location, outstanding music, poor script – but who genuinely cares when Elvis is on screen doing his thing and singing galore of the best songs to ever come out of one film.

Elvis returns to the islands from the army determined not to enter into his rich father’s pineapple business, preferring to undertake and make a go of a tour guide business with his Hawaiian girlfriend. His snobbish mother; Landsbury in a outstanding over the top acting share finish with Southern drawl,(“Have you got galore sugar for your mother?”) is horrified but she and his father in the long run agree to let him try.

After respective plot twists involving a tourist group made totally up of young girls, he ultimately makes a go of things and marries the girl.

Favourite songs have to be, Can’t Help Falling In Love, which he sings to his girlfriend’s grandmother for her birthday and Almost Always True. Other songs are, Rock A Hula Baby, Hawaiian Wedding Song, Blue Hawaii, Aloha Oe, No More, Moonlight Swim, Ku-u-i-po, Ito Eats, Slicin’ Sand, Hawaiian Sunset, Beachboy Blues and Island of Love.

Nice piece of romantic, musical escapism.

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