Paradise, Hawaiian Style

Director: Michael D. Moore, Michael Moore Michael D. Moore

Overview

Rick Richards (Elvis Presley) is a helicopter pilot who is grounded when his chopper runs federal aviation official Donald Beldon (John Doucette) off the road in Paradise, Hawaiian Style. Already suspended as a airline pilot, he and partner Danny Kohana (James Shigeta) struggle to keep their business flying. Suzanna Leigh plays the pretty secretary, but Elvis does not limit his affections to just one girl. Technical credits and locations scenes of the beautiful islands are the highlight of the film. Presley warbles his usual slew of songs, but most are unremarkable.

Product Details

Release Date:	03/30/2021
UPC:	0032429355683
Original Release:	1966
Rating:	G
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Language:	English
Time:	1:30:00
Sales rank:	5,449

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Elvis Presley	Rick Richards
Suzanna Leigh	Judy Hudson
James Shigeta	Danny Kohana
Donna Butterworth	Jan Kohana
Marianna Hill	Lani
Irene Tsu	Pua
Linda Wong	Lehua
Julie Parrish	Joanna
Jan Shepard	Betty Kohana
John Doucette	Donald Belden
Philip Ahn	Moki
Grady Sutton	Mr. Cubberson
Don Collier	Andy Lowell
Doris Packer	Mrs. Barrington
Mary Treen	Mrs. Belden
Gigi Verone	Peggy Holdren
Shanon Hale	Blonde Applicant
Lloyd Kino	Native Dancer
China Lee	Next Girl
Leon Lontoc	Chef
Miko Mayama	Bit Girl
Ann Morell	First Girl
Edy Williams	Dancer
Joseph Lilley	Composer

Technical Credits

Allan Weiss

Anthony Lawrence

Michael D. Moore	Director,Director
Hal B. Wallis	Producer
Allan Weiss	Screenwriter
Anthony Lawrence	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

One is very tempted to call Paradise, Hawaiian Style a retread of Blue Hawaii, but that doesn't really state the case. It is more accurate to refer to Paradise as a very tired retread of Blue. Everything about Paradise has a "been there, done that" feeling to it, down to and including the occupation cooked up for Elvis Presley. (Ferrying tourists and other passengers around is pretty much the same whether it's on the ground as in the earlier film or by helicopter as here). Yes, Paradise does have its share of pretty scenery, but it's not captured as well as was the scenery in Blue. And Paradise does of course have its fair share of comely young maidens on hand, but it also has the presence of Donna Butterworth, a much too young maided -- by which I mean that putting a cute kid into an Elvis movie is bound to upset the works, and that's what happens here. More damaging, however, is the fact that Elvis himself is far from at his best. He's noticeably put on weight, and his heart really isn't in the picture. Yes, his charm is still there, but it's at half its usual wattage, and even his vocal magic isn't quite the same -- although this is at least partially due to the poor material he's working with. Diehard fans of Elvis won't really care and will likely find Paradise amply rewarding simply for its scenery, its girls, and the King himself; but those who are not loyalists should give it a skip.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler