“Striding
out into a movie that goes
beyond a simple showcase for Elvis
Presley, the King of Rock proves
that he’s more than just a pretty face
in the musical comedy Tickle Me...” SEX APPEAL ON TWO LEGS and a voice to match — Elvis Presley
plays modern cowboy Lonnie Beale, who can play a mean guitar and sing like a
dream while waiting for the start of the rodeo season.
Accomplished rider Lonnie rides into Zuni Wells on a Greyhound — bus, that
is — and takes the town by storm. When he sings at the local bar, weak-kneed
girls fall at his feet. He attracts the attention of Vera Radford (Julie Adams),
who offers him a job at her fitness ranch as a riding instructor for her glamorous
and wealthy guests.
Lonnie shares a cabin with accident-prone Stanley Potter (Jack Mullaney) and
comes into conflict with swimming instructor Brad Bentley (Edward Faulkner).
His singing pulls the girls, but it is pretty fitness instructor Pam Merritt
(Jocelyn Lane) who catches his eye.
After a couple of terrifying kidnap attempts by masked men, Pam tells Lonnie
that her grandfather hid his fortune in an old ghost town turned museum. Lonnie
follows her out there and this is a cue for one of the highlights of Tickle
Me as Lonnie and Pam are whisked back to the days of the Wild West in a
very funny sketch.
Who are the shady characters who are after the gold? Is Stan really the buffoon
he appears? Has Brad got something to hide? And will Lonnie be able to protect
Pam from the unscrupulous villains and get the girl or will he get roped into
the arms of Vera? You'll have lots of fun finding out!
With plenty of opportunities for song and plenty for romance, the charismatic
Elvis swings those famous hips in the unmissable, very funny and hugely entertaining
Presley vehicle Tickle Me from the Oscar-winning director of Blue
Hawaii and Girls! Girls! Girls!
Songs galore feature in Tickle Me, including Put The Blame On Me,
Such An Easy Question, Night Rider and Slowly But Surely.
To hear Elvis sing is delightful enough, but to watch him is divine.
Tickle Me also features: Merry Anders as Estelle Penfield; Bill Williams
as Deputy Sturdivant; and Connie Gilchrist as Hilda. Director of Photography
is Loyal Griggs; Technical Adviser is Colonel Tom Parker; Vocal Accompaniment
by The Jordanaires; Music Scored and Conducted by Walter Scharf; Written by
Elwood Ullman and Edward Bernds; Produced by Ben Schwalb; Directed by Norman
Taurog.
• The UK DVD premiere of Tickle Me is
11 January (2010). Feature running Time: 87 Minutes approximately | Catalogue
Number: OPTD1460 | RRP: £15.99.
"With plenty of opportunities for song and plenty for romance, the charismatic
Elvis swings those famous hips in the unmissable, very funny and hugely entertaining
Presley vehicle Tickle Me" — Maggie Woods, MotorBar
“Striding
out into a movie that goes