MovieChat Forums > Follow That Dream (1962) Discussion > Best of the Presley films -- by FAR.

Best of the Presley films -- by FAR.

posted 19 years ago by ionmale
16 replies | jump to latest

It really is. I've seen them all, but this delightful little romp captures your heart. Elvis was never better than he is in the role, and with such a fine supporting cast, the film tickles and pleases you the whole way through. The bank scene is particularly hilarious.

I especially liked "Angel" ... the final tune Elvis does at the close of the movie, and if that song never made it to the charts, it certainly should have.

My only wonder is whatever became of the Koon twins in what would be their only film appearance, but this diversion also provides you with a 1962 window into the world of government fascism without even intending to.

You'll just have to see it to know what I mean, but boy, it sure has advanced a lot further since then!

I'll probably end up buying the DVD (widescreen) eventually, but I still have a 9 year old copy on VHS tape I can't seem to wear-out. I've played it literally hundreds of times and the video qualities are as crisp and clean as the day I first ran it.

[Shows you how well they were once produced.]

[–] PonderosaGal 18 years ago

AMEN TO THAT! I've seen a lot of Elvis' films also and none of them are played over and over again at my house like Follow That Dream is! Deffinately the best story of his films, the cast was fantastic, the songs weren't "weird" like when he sung "Old MacDonald" or that "Clambake" song in other flicks, and Elvis' talent for comedy really shined. Follow That Dream, bar-none, was his best film EVER.

Paulie: "Look at this place! No class in here!"
- Rocky III

rockyfans.tk

[–] manelens 18 years ago

Wow! really? That's somewhat great to hear. I had my cousin tape it for me on vhs the other weekend and im yet to get it off her to watch it- I cant wait now! Do you really think its better than Loving You, Jailhouse Rock and even King Creole (which i havent seen but have read many great reviews of) ?
Im looking forward to seeing it real bad now :). Thanks for you opinions, theyve made me happy lol :D

..Manel
" 'at aint tactics honey. Its just the beast in me "

[–] NobodymournstheWicked 18 years ago

I got Follow That Dream for my birthday this year, even through I hadn't really seen it, or even owened the VHS, and I can tell you that the dvd of this movie has it both in widescreen, and in full screen, so you don't have to worry about seprate editions of this movie being on dvd in either full or wide. I had loked them up, but they give nothing on it, I know that there are coulms in newsapers, and even the Flickchick on tvguide.com, so they can try to find out for you, if you write them and ask them.

[–] youwontseeme 18 years ago

I havent got this film on either dvd or video these days, but fully intend to get it when it comes out in widescreen........

staggmovieman,
The dvd is in wide screen and full screen on the dvd?? even tho it states ONLY full screen?

[–] NobodymournstheWicked 18 years ago

Are you missed quoting me, I hadn't seen Follow that Dream before my birthday last year, but I have seen it before I wrote the post. One side on the disc has it in wide screen, and the other side of the disc has it in full screen, and both sides or one is labed so you knwo what it expect when you watch it, it is also nice if theyt had it all on one side, and then the choice came up on which screen do you want to watch it in? It is great when you do have them both on one dvd, instead of having the usual affair of seprate wide screen and full screne dvds that you normally will see, and I bet a lot of people perffer wide screen over full screen.

[–] MedioSiglo 15 years ago

I'd agree that it is one of his best because his character is so sweet and patient with the world. It didn't seem as contrived when Toby would burst into song either. I have to buy this DVD for my collection.

Why ain't you at the garden party you heathen?

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] plwblj 14 years ago

...one of the funniest and cleverest....

[–] originaLee 14 years ago

I think "Follow That Dream" is Elvis' funniest comedy. Every time I see the scene with Elvis and the gangsters in the woods, I laugh.

[–] noname1479 13 years ago

It is my 3rd favorite of Presley films, which says alot. He made alot of movies! The beach scenes are beautiful. The story is charming. Follow That Dream, and Angel are great songs.

[–] WarpedRecord 13 years ago

This film is a lot of fun, but I don't think it's quite my favorite Elvis movie for the lack of standout songs. It's hard to believe this film is almost 50 years old, because it tackles a lot of issues that would later become very popular in films – alternative families, government bureaucracy, gambling and the mob. 7/10 from me.

[–] GamaRex 13 years ago

This has always been one of my favorite Presley movies, too. It was never as popular as many of the others and never runs on TV that I've seen. It's probably an issue of music. As "WarpedRecord" said, none of the songs are standouts (though "Sound Advice" was a favorite of mine). This was one of few Elvis movies that couldn't spawn a soundtrack album tie-in since there are so few songs: just compare the number of songs in a movie like "Girls! Girls! Girls!" from around the same time. For me, "Follow That Dream" has one of the most entertaining storylines of Elvis' movies. The cast is good, especially Arthur O'Connell and the gorgeous Anne Helm. It's too bad this movie didn't become more popular. At least there's the DVD.

[–] WarpedRecord 13 years ago

The more I think about it, the less it bothers me that this film has no standout songs. Most of Presley's films seemed to be built around the music numbers, where a guitar would magically materialize and you'd hear other instruments and orchestration coming from nowhere.

This film doesn't need those gimmicks because it has a solid story with strong performances. It holds up well today, unlike a lot of Presley's films, which seemed very much "in the moment."

[–] ms_tripsalot 12 years ago

It's a shame he wasn't able to act like he had in Follow That Dream. Definitely his best comedy!

His first three films are good from the POV that he never had any acting experience (Love Me Tender, Loving You, Jailhouse Rock), as were Wild In The Country (though it might have been better without the musical-ish song "I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell") and Flaming Star (only one song, at the beginning, which it didn't need at all).

But on a strictly acting basis, I still can't tell which one I like better, Follow That Dream or King Creole. Two very different movies, but his two ultimate best IMO.

[–] hatr 12 years ago

Nice little movie, made before the rot set in, and showing that Elvis was a capable comic actor (along with his dramatic ability in King Creole and Flaming Star)

[–] melnar1 9 years ago

It's certainly my favorite Elvis movie - with It Happened At The World's Fair not far behind.