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Originally MGM had planned to release "The Trouble With Girls (And How To Get Into It)" in May 1969, but when it became clear that Elvis was staging a live comeback in Las Vegas the start date was postponed to September 3rd. The studio also wanted to participate in the success of the singer's comeback by writing "Elvis '69" on the poster and designing it in psychedelic colors. I don't have any figures regarding the commercial performance, but I suspect it wasn't any better than usual. Today a movie like this wouldn't have made it into the cinemas at all.
The German audience had to wait until August 18, 1988 to see "Immer Aerger Mit Den Maedchen". Once again the movie (this time with a more or less accurate translation of the title) had been dubbed especially for tv.
In 1927 The Chautauqua visits a small town named Radford Center. After having seen Mr. Morality, Nita Bix ends the affair with her boss. When he is found dead, the sheriff blames on of the Chautauqua members. Walter Hale (Elvis), manager of the group, finds out that Mrs. Bix had killed her former lover and stages her confession as a part of the show.
Lester Welch (producer), Peter Tweksbury (director), Arnold und Louis Payser (script, based on the novel "The Chautauqua" by Day Keene and Dwight Babcock), Billy Strange (music), Jacques Marquette (camera), George W. Brooks (editor).
Elvis Presley (Walter Hale), Marlyn Mason (Charlene), Nicole Jaffe (Betty), Sheree North (Nita Bix), Edward Andrews (Johnny), John Carradine (Mr. Drewcolt), Vincent Price (Mr. Morality) und Dabney Coleman (Harrison Wilby). The German voice of Elvis was dubbed by Peter Kirchberger.
Ten years before the movie hit the cinemas MGM had bought the rights to the novel "The Chautauqua" by Day Keene and Dwight V. Babcock. The studio planned to starr Glenn Ford and Elvis, but as no statisfactory script could be written Ford resigned in 1961. Now Elvis was to play Walter Hale, but still there was no proper script and when his contract with MGM ran out in 1964 the idea to use the singer was laid to rest. Now Dick van Dyke was considered for the part, but after the project faltered again MGM sold the rights to Columbia. Unfortunately they also failed to come up with a satisfactory storyline, so they scrapped their "Big America" project and resold the rights to MGM. By now the creatives had an idea what to do with the novel, were sure to name the film "Chautauqua" and to use Elvis Presley as principal actor. In the end the movie was renamed, because nobody seemed to know what Chautauqua was. To brag a bit: It was a movement to educate adults, in this case a tent show with lectures about various topics.
The movie was produced between October 29th and December 18th, 1968 with all filming done at the MGM Studios in Culver City. Once again Elvis was paid $850,000 and 50% of the earnings, reduced by the fee. It was the last of the movies Elvis had signed for in early 1967 and regarding the revenues the management of MGM surely was happy about it.
Because MGM had postponed the movie at the last minute, RCA Victor still issued "Clean Up You Own Backyard" on the b-side of "The Fair Is Moving On" in June 1969. All the other songs were spreat on several budget releases of RCA's sub-label CAMDEN. A tap on the cover leads to the review.
In 2007 Warner released all movies, Elvis had made for MGM on dvds. While a random selection was compiled in a boxed set called "The Hollywood Collection" this one was issued individually. For a short review tap on the cover.
"The Trouble With Girls (And How To Get Into It)" is an ensemble piece in which Elvis' character being the tie of several storylines. The long sideburns and the white suit look great on him, the songs are good and his acting is also a lot better than in "Charro!". Here and there the movie lacks drive, but in total it's ok.
Movie Poster (C) National General, DVD Cover (C) Warner Brothers, Record Covers (C) RCA Victor and Follow That Dream Records.