Band singer/race driver Mike McCoy (Elvis Presley) must choose between marrying a beautiful rich girl and driving her father's car in a prestigious race.The script was written by Theodore Flicker and George Kirgo. They originally pitched the idea of a film based on Presley's life, but this was vetoed by Col. Parker, who had control of Presley's career. Working titles included "Never Say No", "Never Say Yes", and "The Singing Racing Car Driver". Flicker eventually left the project to work on "The President's Analyst" and Michael Hoey worked on the script uncredited with Kirgo.Elvis in the 1960s is already a step away from the wholesome Elvis of the 1950s. Girls are shaking their bottoms, Elvis is offering to spank them... and multiple women are trying to get Elvis to go to bed with them. This is the free love 1960s with Elvis running the show. I have to wonder if this somehow influenced "Speed Racer", as that show came out shortly after and featured a very similar car.

Spinout (1966) ** (out of 4) Mindless but sometimes fun film about a stockcar driver (Elvis) who must choose between marrying a rich girl (Shelley Fabares) or driving her mean father's car in a big race, which could get him a lot of money. Elvis sings nine songs in this movie and they're actually all pretty bad and they make for the worst part of the film. The movie story once again features Elvis involved and having trouble with various women but it plays out okay with a nice ending but the real fun comes from all the racing footage, which certainly looks fake but it's still fun. It's also fun seeing Elvis drive 100 mph without messing up his hair. The supporting cast are decent but Cecil Kellaway and Una Merkel steal the show with their few scenes. Elvis also gives a nice performance in the scene he does with them teaching them that being old doesn't mean things are over.

This is not one of Elvis' best or most memorable films, but it is pretty good. For one thing, we get to see Elvis in his most suitable film role, as a racecar driver caught up with multiple ladies (seen that before? You have, but it's all good). Walley is great as his tomboyish drummer who hides her crush from him but ends up falling convincingly for policeman Hutchins. Fabares is always a good match for Elvis, and here as a scheming heiress she is virtually his film nemesis. The songs are generally poor, but there are a few highlights. All in all, your basic Elvis movie, not harmful to the brain cells but certainly providing as little stimulation as possible to the nerves.

Elvis Presley as a rock 'n roll crooner playing clubs with his goofy musical trio (two men and drummer Deborah Walley, who dresses like a man for no particular reason); he attracts the attention of a wealthy man's daughter who schemes to keep Presley in town--to drive her father's car in an auto-race AND possibly walk her down the aisle! A few funny little touches keeps this one light (such as the gang's way of decorating a dinner table in the middle of nowhere) but all of Presley's songs are duds and the racecar stuff is just a drag. Walley adds some bounce, but Shelley Fabares gets a thankless role. *1/2 from ****