sonny starr Fun in Acapulco is one of those films that might surprise you. Often overlooked, it is loaded with great music and a cast that really worked well together. The interplay between Elvis and Larry Domasin, who played little Raoul, was amazing. Elvis has a history of working well with children. Mike, Played by Elvis, is fired from his job on a boat in Acapulco. It's The boat owners young daughter who gets him fired after Elvis refuses her charm. Little Rauol Befriends Mike and helps him get a job as a Singer/lifeguard. The current lifeguard, who is a champion Cliff diver begins to feel threatened by Mike. Not only is Mike cutting in on his hours but he is making moves on his girl Margueita, played by Ursala Andress. Mike is also attracted to a lady Bullfighter. It works as a silly but very fun love triangle. Will Mike get over his fear of diving that was brought on by an accident while performing a high wire act with his family? And who will he fall for? It makes for a fun story line.Fun in Acapulco was the #1 Box Office Musical in 1963. The soundtrack for this picture was wonderful. The single "Bossa Nova Baby" was a huge top 10 smash for Elvis. Also the performance of "Marguerita" was a highlight in the film.If you have overlooked this picture I urge you to check it out. I know you will be entertained by this charming film.

Spikeopath Fun in Acapulco is directed by Richard Thorpe and written by Allan Weiss. It stars Elvis Presley, Ursula Andress, Paul Lukas, Elsa Cárdenas and Larry Domasin. Music is by Joseph J. Lilley and cinematography by Daniel L. Fapp.Mike Windgren (Presley) is working as a boatman down in Acapulco when an unfair dismissal sees him taking up employment as a lifeguard and singer at a local hotel. Getting involved with two gorgeous women, Mike has plenty on his hands, especially since he has greatly annoyed one of his co-workers who thinks he has claims on one of the girls. But why is Mike in Acapulco in the first place? It seems he has something in his past that greatly troubles him...By the time 1963 had rolled around, Elvis Presley movies had settled into a safe formula purely designed to cash in on the star. All hope Presley had of becoming an actor of worth had been left behind with the likes of Jailhouse Rock, King Creole and Flaming Star. Fun in Acapulco basically sees Presley have women problems, have a fight with another macho man, kill off a demon in his past and sing a bunch of tunes. Unfortunately where the songs are concerned for this one, they are in keeping with much of Presley's 60s film output, not really worthy of his talents. The exception is Bossa Nova Baby, where a truly fine rendition from The King is backed up by an energetic snake-hips performance. In fact one of the film's strengths is that Presley looks in great shape, as does Andress and Cárdenas, the pic is never less than colourful and graced with beautiful people!It plays out exactly as you expect and production values waver from scene to scene. But there's nearly always something cheery about Presley's movies, and this one is no different. If you can accept them for what they are, and ignore what a shame that Presley's early acting promise wasn't fulfilled? Then there's a good time to be had down in Acapulco. 6/10

wes-connors This time Elvis Presley (as Mike Windgren) plays a trapeze artist who has lost his nerve, after high-wire mishap. He leaves his circus family act, "The Flying Windgren", and becomes a drifting sailor. When his boat docks in Acapulco, Mr. Presley gets a job as lifeguard at the local hotel. There are plenty of fit bathing-suited bodies around the pool, including rival lifeguard Alejandro Rey (as Moreno, before "The Flying Nun"), and object of their affection Ursula Andress (as Marguerita, after "Dr. No"). Presley sings, fights, swims, and struggles to overcome his fear of heights. And, Elvis still looks trim in his own bathing trunks.Supposedly, one of the men carrying Presley, after his stuntman's triumphant cliff-side dive, got fresh, and groped the King; if so, it doesn't show on camera. As was sometimes the case, many of the soundtrack songs sounded better on record, with stronger studio instrumentation. This is the case with "Bossa Nova Baby", which was destined to be the film's lead hit single, peaking at #8. Of the film songs, "Mexico" was given short shrift; a pop delight, the studio version did well when released its own, peaking at #4 on worldwide charts. The title song reached #28 in Australia, and the lush soundtrack was a million-seller.**** Fun in Acapulco (11/27/63) Richard Thorpe ~ Elvis Presley, Ursula Andress, Alejandro Rey, Paul Lukas

Pat McCurry Fun in Acapulco is your standard, run of the mill Elvis flick. Unfortunately, it suffers from bargain basement production, but it is good enough to help you forget your troubles. It is obvious that some of the scenes filmed in "Mexico" were actually done in front of a blue screen. According to Priscilla Presley, the hotel scenes were filmed at a Mexican style hotel in California. Of course with every Elvis film, there is a few big names thrown in for good measure. In this case, the beautiful Ursula Andress, fresh from Dr. No and Alejandro Rey, who would find fame in The Flying Nun and Moscow on the Hudson. The cast is amicable, and most of the songs are passable (with the exception of the stupid 'No Room To Rumba In A Sportscar'). Elvis was still searching for that big role. While a few of the stars went on to meatier roles, Elvis was stuck doing the same thing. You could tell by the time he was finished with movies, he was just burned out. Still, you can see he has the knack for acting, even in a flick like this. I know it sounds like I am putting down this film, but I still find some charm in it. You can't say no to Elvis or Acapulco.