Out of nowhere, Wood began screaming that Elvis wasn’t breathing, sending his entourage into a panic. Everyone rushed to his house, frantically trying to call an ambulance — only to find Elvis sitting up and casually explaining:
“I just wanted to see what you guys would do,” according to Cheatsheet.
The red MG roadster
If you’re an Elvis fan, you probably already know about his lifelong love affair with cars – and not just any cars, but the top-of-the-line luxury ones.
One car that really caught his eye during the filming of Blue Hawaii was the 1960 MGA 1600 MkI roadster. He loved it so much that he ended up buying it. Now, that very red MG is part of the impressive collection at Graceland, sharing space with his motorcycles, Cadillacs, Stutzes, and a whole lot of other shiny toys.
A popular wedding location
Hawaii quickly became one of Elvis Presley’s favorite filming spots, and for good reason! He filmed three movies there, and one of the most iconic scenes was the picnic scene with Chad and Maile.
This picturesque moment was filmed at an overlook off Tantalus Drive, and guess what? You can still enjoy that stunning view today. In fact, it’s such a breathtaking spot that it’s become a popular wedding location.
And here’s a cool tidbit about Blue Hawaii’s filming locations: While shooting the movie, Elvis Presley stayed at the iconic Coco Palms Resort, which actually appeared in the film itself. The Coco Palms Resort is probably most famous in as the setting for Elvis Presley and Joan Blackman’s on-screen wedding. It also featured in the iconic scene where Elvis sings “Hawaiian Wedding Song.”
In its prime, the resort attracted Hollywood legends like Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, and Bing Crosby.
Sadly, the resort was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and has never been rebuilt or developed. So, if you’re ever in Hawaii, you can still find the remains of the Coco Palms, a little piece of Elvis history.
Elvis wanted to marry Joan Blackman
While filming Blue Hawaii in 1961, Elvis Presley developed quite the connection with his co-star, Joan Blackman. In fact, their chemistry was so strong that Joan admitted to feeling a special spark between them when they first met in 1957.
”When we first set eyes on each other, there was a spark, a magic in the air… There was just that special something between us, sometimes so warm and wonderful you could almost reach out and touch it,” Joan shared in a 1977 interview with Midnight Globe.

Despite their undeniable connection, Elvis wasn’t shy about wanting Joan as his wife, even begging her to appear in more of his films.
However, Joan had other plans: “I wanted parts because of my ability, not because I was dating Elvis,” she stated.
A bad cut
Now, let’s dive into some bloopers that only the true Blue Hawaii fans might have caught.
In the “Almost Always True” car scene, there’s a noticeable edit mistake: Maile’s hands suddenly change position on the steering wheel, and Chad’s left arm magically shifts from resting on his seatback to stretched out behind Maile.
Pineapple field scene
In the pineapple field scene, Ellie stays in the car (clearly in the back seat on the driver’s side) while the others head to the stand.
But when Chad returns with some pineapple, Ellie has mysteriously switched to the passenger side, all to accommodate the camera angle and dialogue — a classic continuity slip!
The magic ukulele in Blue Hawaii
Blue Hawaii contained 14 songs, more than any other Elvis movie.
But do you remember when Chad was strumming the ukulele? Well, if you paid close attention, you’ll notice he’s not changing chords, even though the music is
Later, Elvis actually gave that famous ukulele to his buddy Hank Garland, aka “Sugarfoot.” Hank was a top-notch guitar player in Nashville and even toured with Elvis from 1958 to 1961. Elvis liked Hank so much that he even etched his initials into the ukulele. At a 1961 Hawaiian benefit concert, Elvis called Garland ”one of the finest guitar players in all of the country.”
The patch Chad wears on his uniform
The patch that Chad wears on his uniform in Blue Hawaii isn’t just a random decoration. It’s actually the insignia of the 3rd Armored Division of the U.S. Army, also known as ‘Spearhead.’
This was the very division Elvis Presley served with during his time stationed in Germany, where he earned the rank of buck sergeant.

Final holiday
In a beautiful full-circle moment, Elvis Presley’s final vacation in March 1977 took him back to Hawaii, a place that held such special memories for him.
Elvis Presley and his Memphis Mafia stayed at the Hilton Rainbow Tower. But that’s not all — he later moved to a beach house with his girlfriend Ginger Alden and her two sisters.
From golf lessons with Gary Player to the magic of Hawaii’s stunning landscapes, Blue Hawaii wasn’t just another movie for Elvis—it was an unforgettable chapter in his life. Behind the scenes, Elvis proved that even when surrounded by chaos, he could still find time for fun, humor, and, of course, a bit of musical magic. Whether it was the epic scenes, quirky bloopers, or his personal connection to the Aloha spirit, this film remains a classic.
So, next time you watch Blue Hawaii, keep an eye out for the little details and fun facts. After all, Elvis wasn’t just The King on screen—he was a true legend, on and off the set. Don’t forget to share your favorite Elvis moments and let’s keep the Aloha spirit alive!