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After a sneak preview on August 18, 1960 in Dallas/Texas and screenings at several military bases "G.I. Blues" premieres officially on November 15, 1960. In Variety's weekly chart the movie reached number 2 and earned rental fees of 4.3 million USD. So we can estimate ticket sales of at least 8.5 million USD. According to our rough factor of 15 "G.I. Blues" would have made 127.5 million USD at the box office and would have earned Paramount 63.8 million USD today. And these are the figures for the business in the US and Canada only. In Germany, were a lot of the action in "G. I. Blues" is supposed to take place, the movie hit the cinemas on December 23, 1960 and was called "Cafe' Europa", translated "Cafe' Europe".
The Writers Guild Of America nominated Edmund Beloin and Henry Garson for "Best Written American Musical". They didn't win, but in contrast to what people think today, the Presley films were not regarded to be all that bad back then.
Tulsa McLean (Elvis), a singing soldier, is stationed in Germany and wants to open a nightclub after his return to the US. He wants to get seed money by winning the bet to be able to spend a night alone with Lili, a beautiful but standoffish dancer. But then he fells in love and his planes get jeopardized.
Hal B. Wallis (producer), Norman Taurog (director), Edmund Beloin und Henry Garson (script), Joseph J. Lilley (music), Loyal Griggs (camera), Warren Low (editor).
Elvis Presley (Tulsa McLean), Juliet Prowse (Lili), Robert Ivers (Cookie), James Douglas (Rick), Leticia Roman (Tina), Sigrid Maier (Marla), Arch Johnson (Sgt. McGraw) und Mickey Knox (Jeeter). Just like in "King Creole", the German voice of Elvis was dubbed by Rainer Brand.
To release the movie as fast as possible, the shooting started in August 1959. Producer Hal B. Wallis and a crew of 40 travelled to Germany to film in Friedberg, Wiesbaden and Idstein Am Rhein. The US Army supported the production by providing vehicles and extras. For long distance shots Elvis was doubled. The man himself started to work on May 2, 1960 in Hollywood/California. Sometimes the actors worked in front of screens with scenery shots made in Germany. The production was wrapped on June 30, 1960.
"G.I. Blues" was a major change from Elvis' earlier film projects. In the 1950s his movies had been some kind of musical dramas, his characters were edgy and rebellious. But Tulsa McLean obviously had never faced any real problems, was always convival and helpful. In one scene he helps out at a puppet show, in another one he works as a babysitter. Of course Tulsa is always well dressed and perfectly groomed. Another change of procedures was the presentation of music. In his earlier films Elvis was always singing on a stage or was at least surrounded by musicians. In "G.I. Blues" the music seemed to appear from nowhere and offered the opportunity to burst into a song each and everywhere.
In October 1958 Colonel Parker once again had tried to re-negotiate the dreadful contract with Paramount. The result was a fee of $125,000 and a profit share of 7.5% for "G.I. Blues". The next two pictures would be paid with $150,000 each, the two following ones with $175,000 per movie. Considering that Elvis had received $250,000 and a profit share of 50% for "Jailhouse Rock" this was still a joke, but at least it was not as bad as the original agreement. Translated to the present the king got a fee of 1.9 million USD and a profit share of 4.6 million USD for "G.I. Blues".
In contrast to the previous movies RCA Victor didn't release a single, but the soundtrack album became the best selling lp of the king so far. Strangely though the label put "Wooden Heart" on the flipsides of "Blue Christmas" in 1964 and "Puppet On A String" in 1965. In total these records sold nine million units. By tapping on the covers you'll be forwarded to the accordant reviews.
Back in 2007 Paramount included "GI Blues" in their "Elvis - 8 Movies DVD Collection". For a short review just tap on the cover.
Elvis' return to the silver screen was a conservertive, lightweight musical that lacked all the coolness of "Loving You", "Jailhouse Rock" and "King Creole". But without doubt it was well produced and suitable for a larger, financially stronger audience.
Movie Posters and BluRay Cover (C) Paramount Pictures, Record Covers (C) RCA Victor, Book Cover (C) Ger Rijff