Simply Perfect

It is a performances centric movie

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

One of my personal favourite Elvis films - this is in my Top 4. Once again Elvis is playing a racing driver - this time Nascar ace Steve Grayson - who is racking up a small fortune but unbeknown to him his friend and dodgy accountant Bill Bixby (Kenny) hasn't been declaring it all, and has even been losing the cash on horse bets. When Elvis' off track attention is taken by the sexy, gorgeous Nancy Sinatra it later turns out she's an employee for the IRS monitoring his every earning and reporting it back to "Uncle Sam" (hence the reason for fun song and funny scene "He's Your Uncle, Not Your Dad") After being hauled in to see the tax man it turns out Grayson and Kenny owe the government close to $50,000 thus losing their lavish lifestyle (in it, perhaps a bit nudge-nudge, wink-wink to his real life persona) Grayson generously donates large sums of money and cars to struggling individuals whom he believes to be decent people. I suppose if you were going to be critical, there isn't really a point to 'Speedway'. Elvis never recoups all the money he owes the government in the movie, and he doesn't even win the big race at the end in this Movie - he gets collected and taken off the track by two lapped cars tangling...but nevertheless it's still a really good, entertaining movie with some great dialogue, better humour and a more modern feel than any other Elvis movie in the 60's up to this point (Viva Las Vegas excepted!) and the chemistry between Elvis and Bill Bixby is good. Elvis looks fantastic in 'Speedway' too. It was filmed shortly after his wedding to Priscilla in 1967, and he really looks great - as does Nancy Sinatra who is quite possibly Elvis' closest opposite Ann-Margret aside. Not the best of actresses by her own admission, but stunningly beautiful and in "Your Groovy Self" she sings arguably the song of the film. It's a tough call between that and "Let Yourself Go" which is one of my Top 10 Elvis songs. Bill Bixby is also good in this I thought...despite being a sleazy lech and not a particularly good friend to have around!!

SPEEDWAY is just another in the long line of '60s Elvis vehicles, and kind of lightweight at that. It takes awhile to go anywhere, but not that you go into these flicks expecting high art or anything. Presley is a kind-hearted race car driver who gets an unwelcome visit from tax investigator Nancy Sinatra, looking to nail him for unpaid dollars he's earned while racing around the track. Gale Gordon (Lucy's Mr. Mooney himself) is on hand as her no-nonsense boss. Elvis was actually pretty good at comedy, and he shares some funny moments with Bill Bixby, who plays his conniving manager/buddy. Two good songs this go-round are "Let Yourself Go" (sung by The King) and Nancy Sinatra's sexy rendition of "Your Groovy Self". ** out of ****

SPEEDWAY, Elvis and Nancy Sinatra tackle the fast pace of the Charlotte Speedway and light up the screen. Nancy looks fantastic with her blonde hair and those incredible eyes that melt you. Elvis is Elvis, what can you say. NOTE: Nancy is the only person to ever have a song included on an Elvis Presley soundtrack. YOUR GROOVY SELF is fun and the attitude lively. Gale Gordon adds to the cast as does Bill Bixby.Fast cars, groovy times and lots of songs. The children in this movie are adorable.True entertainment for Elvis and Nancy fans alike.Grab the pop corn and snuggle up!

A classic Elvis movie. Elvis sings a song, Elvis gets in a jam, Elvis sings a song, Elvis wins the girl, Elvis sings a song. Today, people may view these types of film boring, but it is classic Americana. The blue racing jacket, with the white stripes is so 60s. In fact, the jacket is currently displayed in the Hard Rock Cafe in Houston, Texas. It is over the booth that I always sit in when I eat there. A great treat for an Elvis fan. Such notable performers as Bill Bixby, Nancy Sinatra, Gale Gordon, William Schallert, and Carl Ballentine make this film fun for anyone and everyuone who is a fan of classic 60s movies. Add the fact of some Elvis songs, and you can go wrong. I recommend this film to everyone. It is not Elvis' best movie, but certainly in the top ten.