Very disappointing...

The Age of Commercialism

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

In this Elvis outing not only does he sing lead in a band, but he also drives race cars!Two ladies are out walk down the aisle with Elvis, which one will win him over? Or will Elvis win the race and avoid the marriages?Cute, but at some point all the Elvis movies seem like a carousel. Nonetheless enjoyable!

Elvis Presley was a hugely influential performer with one of the most distinctive singing voices of anybody. He embarked on a film career consisting of 33 films from 1956 to 1969, films that did well at the box-office but mostly panned critically (especially his later films) and while he was a highly charismatic performer he was never considered a great actor.As far as Elvis films go, 'Spinout' belongs in neither extreme of best or worst. It's average fare that serves as a serviceable enough one-time watch, but not particularly distinguished and one for completests intent on checking out all of Elvis' films (like me). It's no 'King Creole', 'Flaming Star', 'Jailhouse Rock', 'Viva Las Vegas' and 'Loving You', but it is far better than 'Kissin' Cousins', 'Frankie & Johnny', 'Paradise Hawaiian Style' and particularly 'Harum Scarum' as well as his later efforts.'Spinout' benefits in particular from the climactic big race, an incredibly fun scene that is the most energetic everything gets, and a generally polished supporting cast (with Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, Dodie Marshall and Carl Betz lighting up the screen and Cecil Kellaway and Una Merkel nearly stealing the show).It is a decent looking film, there are better-looking Elvis films but it is a long way from cheap apart from the racing footage looking artificial but the photography and sets are fine. The soundtrack is generally unimpressive (though there are far worse Elvis film soundtracks), but there are a few standouts, such as the title song, "I'll Be Back" and "All That I Am". Usually a hit and miss director, Norman Taurog gives some of his most enthusiastic directing of his numerous collaborations with Elvis.However, there are exceptions with the supporting cast and they are Jack Mullaney and Deborah Walley, both very annoying in roles written in a way that grates on the nerves fast. Most of the soundtrack is forgettable at best, with "Beach Shack" and "Smorgasbord" being disposable songs that one can easily do without.Regarding Elvis himself, he has certainly been far more disengaged before and since but he has also been much more enthusiastic and it was like he didn't trust the material. Not that one can blame him, because the script is more cringe-worthy than funny and flags in energy. The story has its slow spots, but also suffers from being too busy.Overall, you can certainly do with far worse but Elvis and the cast did deserve better. 5/10 Bethany Cox

Elvis Presley's 22nd film (from the year England won the World Cup!!) is far from one of his best, although at least he had restored his good look, looking slimmer and fresher than in a few of his previous films from "Paradise, Hawaiian Style". It's ruined, in truth, by an annoying support cast consisting of three of Elvis (Mike McCoy)' bandmates (the two guys are terrible actors) who fake - badly - their playing of instruments. The annoying girl on the drums doesn't convince you at all that she's really playing them. The two leading ladies chasing Mike (Shelley Fabaras and Diane McBain) are typically beautiful and both are hellbent on making him theirs, leaving him with a tough decision to make. For most of the movie, his choice looks obvious. Irritated by spoilt Cynthia (Shelley Fabaras) who gets her millionaire father to force Mike into performing a song for her for her birthday AFTER she's already ran him off the road at the start of the film. The highlight of the film is a race at the end of it, that pits Elvis in a clunker substitute car after having his own race car stolen by another annoying supporting cast member - the millionaires butler - and the millionaire himself in his new "supercar" the 'Fox 5'...despite starting about 10 minutes behind everybody else, Mike catches the field...and of course takes the chequered flag first...right at the end. Never doubted him for a second! All that remains then, is for the three single ladies looking for love to finally land there ideal man...but who gets who I hear you ask? Well I could tell you...but I've already told you the outcome of the race, I've got to keep something in suspense for you...

Elvis Presley is an out-of-shape rock 'n' roll singer who digs girls and race cars. His musical group dreams of appearing on "The Ed Sullivan Show"; but, they don't look bookable, despite some nice songs. The group's visual "gimmick" is Deborah Walley as its "tomboy" drummer. She can't get the guys to notice her. Diane McBain is a writer interested in Mr. Presley's sex life. Best of the women is Shelley Fabares, the spoiled rich girl interested in Elvis. She, and the man who plays her father (Carl Betz) were both on "The Donna Reed Show". Ms. Fabares, Mr. Betz and flunkie Warren Berlinger are more entertaining than the others.Presley's good "Spinout" songs are not presented well, visually; the film attempts to hide his overweight status, with varying success. Presley's movements are noticeably stiff and ungraceful during the musical numbers. Ms. Walley, with her hair, make-up, and tight pants, does not look like a boy. Well past the point where he didn't need to, Elvis isn't trying. ** Spinout (10/17/66) Norman Taurog ~ Elvis Presley, Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, Deborah Walley