What Girls! Girls! Girls! is About
Girls! Girls! Girls! whisks audiences away to the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii, where Elvis Presley stars as Ross Carpenter, a carefree charter-boat skipper who lives for the open sea. Ross finds himself in a delightful predicament, juggling his deep-seated desire to own the beloved boat he and his late father built, the "Westwind," with the attention of several beautiful women who are vying for his affection. His dream of boat ownership is jeopardized when his employer decides to retire, forcing Ross to find a way to buy the vessel himself. This quest for financial stability, coupled with his romantic entanglements, forms the charming core of this 1962 musical comedy. It’s a classic Elvis setup: music, picturesque locales, and plenty of lighthearted drama.
The Production Journey and Box Office Success of Girls! Girls! Girls!
Released in 1962, Girls! Girls! Girls! brought Elvis Presley back to the Hawaiian islands for his second of three films shot on location there, further cementing his association with the idyllic setting. Directed by the prolific Norman Taurog, who helmed many of Presley's films, this 98-minute American production was rated PG, making it accessible to a broad audience. The film features a notable supporting cast including Stella Stevens, who plays an independent nightclub singer, and Laurel Goodwin as a sweet, seemingly working-class girl who harbors a secret. Seasoned actors like Jeremy Slate, Benson Fong, Robert Strauss, and Guy Lee also contributed to the ensemble.
Financially, Girls! Girls! Girls! was a solid performer for its time. It earned a respectable $7,848,000 at the box office. Variety reported the film peaked at #6 on its box office chart, and it secured the #19 spot on the year-end list of top-grossing films for 1962. This commercial success was complemented by some critical recognition, as the film received two nominations, including a Golden Globe nod for Best Motion Picture - Musical in 1963. One of its most enduring legacies is the inclusion of the hit song "Return to Sender," which soared to No. 2 on the Billboard pop singles chart, becoming one of Elvis's most iconic tracks. For fans looking to understand the King’s cinematic output, tracking films like this on Movie OTT provides a comprehensive look at his career trajectory and availability.
Unpacking the Enduring Appeal of Girls! Girls! Girls!
Despite its modest Rotten Tomatoes score of 33% and an IMDb rating of 5.6/10 from over 3,800 votes, Girls! Girls! Girls! retains a certain charm for fans of Elvis Presley and classic Hollywood musicals. What's striking is how it perfectly encapsulates the escapist cinema of its era. It's not trying to be a profound cinematic statement; it’s pure, unadulterated fun. Some viewers, like John Chard, found the plot "staid" and the film's construction "crude," wishing for more memorable songs beyond "Return to Sender." (Honestly, that’s a fair point for those seeking a more robust narrative.) However, others, like Wuchak, appreciate the straightforward premise: Elvis as a fishing guide and nightclub singer in Hawaii, navigating a love triangle while trying to secure his prized boat. A simple desire, really.
The film leans heavily on Presley’s undeniable charisma. He's simply magnetic on screen, whether he's helping tourists land a big catch or performing a musical number. Stella Stevens and Laurel Goodwin, as his romantic foils, bring distinct flavors to their roles — one a bit more worldly, the other innocently sweet. It's a classic good girl/bad girl dynamic, played out against a backdrop of Hawaiian beauty. The central theme of Ross's devotion to his boat, the "Westwind," offers a grounding ambition amidst the romantic frolics. This blend of Elvis's star power, catchy tunes, and picturesque scenery is what makes the film, despite its critical shortcomings, a pleasant watch for its target audience. The performances, while not groundbreaking, are exactly what you'd expect from a 1960s Elvis vehicle: charming, lighthearted, and full of song.
Where to Stream Girls! Girls! Girls! Online
For those eager to revisit Elvis's Hawaiian adventures or discover Girls! Girls! Girls! for the first time, finding it streaming online is quite easy. This classic musical comedy is widely available across numerous platforms, offering both subscription and transactional options. You can currently stream the film on services like Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount Plus Premium, and the general Paramount+. It’s also accessible through the Paramount+ Amazon Channel, linking directly to your Prime Video account, where it's additionally available with ads.
Beyond these, Girls! Girls! Girls! is also on Fawesome, Hoopla, and Kanopy. For those who prefer to own or rent, the film is listed on the Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home, Google Play Movies, MagentaTV, Videoload, and YouTube. With so many choices, viewers have plenty of flexibility. To check the most up-to-date availability and compare pricing, be sure to reference the "Where to Watch" widget at the top of this page on Movie OTT, which constantly tracks streaming options.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What is Girls! Girls! Girls! about?
Girls! Girls! Girls! is a 1962 musical comedy starring Elvis Presley as Ross Carpenter, a charter-boat skipper in Hawaii. He dreams of owning his own boat, the "Westwind," and finds himself caught between the affections of several women.
Q: Who directed Girls! Girls! Girls!?
The film was directed by Norman Taurog, a prolific filmmaker known for directing many of Elvis Presley's movies. Taurog skillfully brought the Hawaiian setting and musical numbers to life.
Q: What famous song is in Girls! Girls! Girls!?
The movie famously features the hit song "Return to Sender," performed by Elvis Presley. This track became a major success, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1962.
Q: How did Girls! Girls! Girls! perform at the box office?
Girls! Girls! Girls! was a commercial success, grossing $7,848,000 at the box office. It ranked #19 among the top-grossing films of 1962 and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Motion Picture
