Frankie and Johnny (1966)

Elvis on a riverboat casino in the 1890s

Johnny (Presley) performs on stage with his partner, Frankie (Donna Douglas), on a riverboat casino on the Mississippi River in the 1890s. To improve his luck at gambling, a gypsy woman says he should look for a redhead. When the girlfriend of the casino manager shows up (Nancy Kovack), Johnny feels he needs her to win, which rubs Frankie the wrong way. Harry Morgan plays the piano player while Sue Ane Langdon is on hand as a lonely performer.

"Frankie and Johnny" (1966) was Elvis' 20th movie of the 31 in his acting filmography. This one has fallen into obscurity because, while fun and colorful, it doesn’t stand with Presley’s more notable flicks, like “Roustabout” (1964), “Viva Las Vegas” (1964), “Kid Galahad” (1962), “Blue Hawaii” (1961), “Easy Come, Easy Go” (1966) and “Live a Little, Love a Little” (1968).

Presley movies are known for taking the Elvis formula and inserting it into different environments. For instance, in “Roustabout” Elvis is a carnival worker, in “Viva Las Vegas” he’s a racer and in “Kid Galahad” he’s a boxer. So “Frankie and Johnny” is the riverboat casino installment.

I think what hinders the movie is that it’s entirely set bound and so it has an artificial air, which is augmented by its campy, comedic vibe. In other words, don’t expect the serious drama of “Roustabout” and “Kid Galahad.” Nevertheless, it’s an amusing, colorful flick when you’re in the mood for something light and entertaining. And it’s good to see Nancy Kovack, who’s most famous for playing Nona in the Star Trek episode “A Private Little War” (1968). Donna of course played Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies.

The film runs 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was shot at Samuel Goldwyn Studios and The Lot in West Hollywood.

GRADE: C+/B-