Tonight's Movie: Spinout (1966) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

SPINOUT (1966), a colorful-but-slight Elvis Presley musical, has just been released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

SPINOUT, known in some countries as CALIFORNIA HOLIDAY, finds Elvis playing singer/race car driver Mike McCoy, who's chased for most of the film's 90 minutes by a trio of ladies: Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, and Deborah Walley.

That's pretty much the plot, such as it is. Mike and his bandmates (Walley, Jack Mullaney, and former child actor Jimmy Hawkins) temporarily move into a mansion next door to wealthy Fabares, but Mike is ultimately more interested in Fabares' father's race cars than his daughter.

Fabares' dad is played by her DONNA REED SHOW father, Carl Betz, which makes things fun.

Ultimately the ladies all find someone more interested in them than Mike, with Walley (SUMMER MAGIC) bonding with a cute cop (Will Hutchins, SUGARFOOT) over a love of gourmet cooking and Fabares taking a second look at her father's assistant (Warren Berlinger).

Betz, meanwhile, has his eye on more mature writer McBain.

Walley's transformation from tomboy drummer to an elegantly dressed lady near the end of the film is one of the movie's highlights.

Incidentally, speaking of dresses, Phyllis Loves Classic Movies has a fun close-up look at the movie's wedding gowns.

The SPINOUT plot is thin enough it feels more like a "Beach Party" movie than anything else. I did enjoy some of the musical numbers, especially "Beach Shack," "Smorgasbord," and "I'll Be Back," but they're admittedly not particularly memorable.

A highlight was a cute scene with Una Merkel and Cecil Kellaway as the wealthy couple Mike charms into letting him stay in their house while they take a vacation. It's always great to see Merkel, who had been in SUMMER MAGIC with Walley; she only made one more acting appearance after SPINOUT.

Given the high quality of some of Elvis's previous films, such as KING CREOLE (1958) and VIVA LAS VEGAS (1964), it seems rather a shame that Elvis frequently ended up in such lightweight movies, which didn't make full use of his talent. SPINOUT is cute enough to be pleasant company, but one wishes for more.

SPINOUT was directed by Norman Taurog and filmed by Daniel L. Fapp.

The Warner Archive Blu-ray print looks great, as usual. Sound levels were a little low; I had to turn my set up louder than normal to hear clearly. Other than that adjustment, the sound was consistent.

Disc extras consist of the trailer; the Tom and Jerry cartoons CATTY CORNERED (1966) and FILET MEOW (1966); and an always-welcome song selection menu.

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from the Amazon Warner Archive Collection Store, Movie Zyng, or from any online retailers were Blu-rays are sold.

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