Elvis Presley is one of those American icons that cannot be replicated.
His amazing chemistry with Ann-Margret lit up the screen in the 1964 picture Viva Las Vegas, particularly in their humorous and flawless duet “The Lady Loves Me.”
However, not everything happened as planned on set. There were bloopers and faults in the movie that went undiscovered until today. Ready to find out what you missed? Let’s get a closer look!
Elvis and Ann-Margret made film and musical history together with Viva Las Vegas, the highest-grossing Elvis Presley film. Elvis Presley plays Lucky Jackson, a determined race car racer looking to win big in Las Vegas. Ann-Margret portrays Rusty Martin, a lively dancer who wins Lucky’s heart.
Elvis and Ann-Margret had tremendous on-screen chemistry, and their off-screen connection was equally electrifying. But, behind the flash and glamour, there are some amusing goofs, little-known faults, and funny moments that even the most ardent fans may have overlooked.
Elvis’ box office crown jewel
Among Elvis’ 31 theatrical films, I always thought the legendary Blue Hawaii was his most profitable. Surprisingly, Viva Las Vegas grabbed the top spot, earning $450,000 out-earning Blue Hawaii.
Ann-Margret above Elvis Presley
It’s difficult to imagine today, given how iconic Elvis was and continues to be. But did you know that because Ann-Margret was so popular at the time, several theaters billed her higher than Elvis Presley?
That reflects how popular and in-demand the lovely Swedish-born Ann-Margret was in the mid-1960s.
Why was Vivas Las Vegas so popular?
The undeniable chemistry between Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, the catchy and energetic soundtrack, and the film’s dazzling technicolor visuals, which showcased both the stars’ magnetic performances and the vibrant, neon-lit allure of Las Vegas, all contributed to the film’s popularity.
The moment Elvis and Ann-Margret met
In addition to his family, Ann-Margret was one of the most important women in Elvis Presley’s life.
The Swedish immigrant first met Elvis Presley in early July 1963 at the Radio Recorders studios in Hollywood. They were introduced to one other and the press as the stars of Viva Las Vegas on an empty MGM soundstage with only a piano.
The passion between Ann-Margret and Elvis
Looking at stills and moments from Viva Las Vegas today, it’s evident that Ann-Margret and Elvis had chemistry from the beginning.
Ann-Margret’s enthusiasm and charisma were so strong that she outperformed her three previous male co-stars. But Elvis was different: he matched her every action. Together, they developed a dynamic on-screen partnership unlike any other, which Ann-Margret later described as the best she had ever had.
Elvis wanted to marry Ann-Margret
Though Ann-Margret has been rather cagey about divulging what happened between the two stars, her autobiography, My Story, contains some very fascinating revelations.
According to Ann-Margret, Elvis wanted them to marry. Their dates frequently involved driving up a hill, looking down at the city, and talking.
Why didn’t Elvis marry Ann-Margret?
Finally, the active and outgoing Swede resembled Elvis too closely. They were “mirror images,” which wasn’t a good thing given Elvis’ principles.
He held a traditional and conservative view of marriage. Priscilla Presley met the profile, but Ann-Margret did not.
After Viva Las Vegas, they continued to send each other love letters, but Elvis quickly realized he needed to quit his relationship with Ann-Margret.
Ann-Margret and Elvis remained lifelong friends, and when she didn’t receive any flowers after a show in 1977, she realized The King had d.i.e.d. Elvis’ sole female co-star, Ann-Margret, attended his funeral.
The hottest dance scene in Viva Las Vegas
When it came down to it, Elvis certainly took the most of the musical focus. He had six solo numbers, whereas Ann-Margret had only two.
One iconic and hot dance sequence in Viva Las Vegas is when Elvis and Ann-Margret hit the floor to the song “Viva Las Vegas.” Looking back 60 years, Ann-Margret exemplifies the adage “dance like no one’s watching.”
While Elvis added his distinctive enthusiasm to the scene, let’s be honest: Ann-Margret’s dancing is on another level.
Bad lip-syncing
Some have pointed out that during the Viva Las Vegas dance/music scene, Elvis Presley lip-syncs the lyrics horribly — but honestly, with Ann-Margret’s high-energy performance stealing the focus, who’s paying attention to Elvis anyway?
Future Oscar nominee in the background
During the legendary “What’d I Say” number, you can see a woman dancing to Ann-Margret’s right, dressed in a white shirt with black trim, a black skirt, and black shoes.
In another song, she wears a shirt with red, green, and blue horizontal stripes.
If you look closely, you’ll notice her in the background behind Ann-Margret, demonstrating that Teri Garr was already making an impression on the big screen prior to her Oscar nominations.
Familiar faces in the movie
And while we’re talking about familiar faces in Viva Las Vegas, here’s another amusing fact: one of the guitar players on the soundtrack was none other than singer/actor Glen Campbell. He played guitar on both “What’d I Say” and the title track.
Red West, Elvis Presley’s close buddy, appears many times in Viva Las Vegas, performing a variety of uncredited roles. If you watch attentively, you can notice him playing a variety of characters throughout the film.
Ann-Margret’s honest confession about Elvis
Ann-Margret, aged 83, continues to captivate audiences with her enduring energy and charm. The actress was just welcomed into UNLV’s College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame.
Even after all these years, she continues to divulge interesting behind-the-scenes anecdotes about Viva Las Vegas, ensuring that the film’s charm lives on for future generations.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Ann-Margret disclosed more facts about her connection with Elvis, providing a fresh and unique viewpoint on the marriage.
So, whether you’re returning for the music, the hypnotic performances, or simply a taste of old-school charm, Viva Las Vegas will always have a particular place in cinematic history.
