Celebrating Elvis Presley's 'Spinout'
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Graceland Blog

THE OFFICIAL BLOG OF GRACELAND

Welcome to the official blog of Elvis Presley’s Graceland! You can take Elvis-inspired quizzes, get first-looks on events here at Graceland and how-to guides on everything you need to know about Elvis and his home. Like Elvis, we come with a little southern charm

Celebrating Elvis Presley's 'Spinout'

Buckle up: Dangerous curves ahead!

Elvis Presley's colorful 1966 musical romantic comedy saw Elvis, starring as the singing, race-car driving bachelor Mike, dodging three beautiful, marriage-minded women.

"Spinout" is Elvis' 22nd feature film, and the sixth time he teamed with director Norman Taurog, who directed nine Elvis films.

Let's take a look at one of Elvis' most fun flicks, which will get some love at this year's Elvis Week - but more on that in a bit.

"Spinout" was released in late 1966. Elvis' co-stars in this film include Diane McBain, Shelley Fabares, Dodie Marshall, Jack Mullaney and Deborah Walley. In the movie, Elvis is a single, singing race-car driver who loves his bachelor lifestyle, but he runs into trouble when he meets three women, all of whom are looking to become his wife. Hilarity ensues as he tries to avoid a walk down the aisle - oh, and he has to race a few cars, too.

If Elvis playing a guy named Mike sounds familiar, it should: This was the third film in which Elvis played a character named Mike. In "It Happened at the World's Fair," he was Mike Edwards, and in "Fun in Acapulco" he played Mike Windgren. In "Spinout" - the final film in which he's a Mike - he's Mike McCoy.

"Spinout" was an especially fun movie for Elvis, who, when he wasn't starring as a race-car driver on screen, loved slot car racing off-screen. He loved it so much that his wife Priscilla purchased a slot-car racing set for Elvis to have at Graceland in 1965.

Later, he purchased a larger professional track and he enclosed what was a patio area to house the track. After he grew tired of the hobby, he turned that building into a space to house his awards and trophies - fans know it today as the Trophy Building here at Graceland.

The "Spinout" soundtrack includes "Stop, Look and Listen," "Adam and Evil," "Beach Shack" and "Never Say Yes." The soundtrack is Elvis' 27th album.

Elvis recorded the soundtrack in February 1966, just as principle production on the movie started.

Elvis' "Spinout" co-star Shelley Fabares starred alongside the King of Rock 'n' Roll a year earlier in "Girl Happy," and in the following year in "Clambake."

Shelley also starred on "The Donna Reed Show," and actor Carl Betz played her father on both the TV show and in "Spinout."

A very young Rita Wilson, who went on to star in films such as "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Runaway Bride," has an uncredited role, "Bit Girl," in "Spinout."

In "Spinout," Diane McBain stars as Diana St. Clair, who's writing a book called "The Perfect American Male," and her character believes she's found the actual perfect American male in Mike (Elvis).

Diane starred in the popular TV show "Surfside 6" before starring alongside the King of Rock 'n' Roll. She starred as Pinky Pinkston in the "Batman" TV show, and she also had roles in "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "Charlie's Angels," and "Dallas."

Diane will share her memories of sharing the silver screen with Elvis during Elvis Week 2015.

Join us on Tuesday, August 11 for Conversations and a Movie featuring "Spinout" at Elvis Week!

Enjoy a screening of the film, followed by a special Conversations event with star Diane McBain, who'll talk about the making of the movie.

Don't miss this amazing opportunity. Get your tickets today, and learn more about Elvis Week 2015!

In the meantime - share your favorite moments from "Spinout." Do you have a favorite scene or song? Share in the comments!

Posted by Elvis Presley's Graceland at 08:55
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