I would think of Shelley Fabares; I know they worked together in Girl Happy (1965). It’s this beach-party, fun-in-the-sun kinda movie where Elvis plays a singer tasked with keeping an eye on a mobster’s daughter, played by Shelley Fabares.
Now, here’s the catch – she’s got a thing for Elvis, and he’s gotta keep her out of trouble. Classic Elvis flick, right?
As far as I know, Shelley Fabares was married during the making of the movie. I believe she was hitched to someone else, and Elvis, being the southern gentleman he was, had this rule – no touching the married ladies. It’s like, “Sorry, darlin’, I may be the King, but I ain’t messin’ with matrimony.”
I remember their chemistry in the movie – it’s electric. You can see the sparks flying between them, and I would certainly say it’s one of those classic Elvis on-screen romances. The way he looks at her, the way she swoons – it’s just perfect for the vibe of the film.
In my opinion, Elvis had this charm that could make any leading lady weak in the knees. I consider Shelley Fabares lucky to have shared the screen with him, even if the King had some boundaries. It’s like they danced around the romance, keeping it strictly on-screen.
I would think that, in a way, it added this layer of forbidden allure to their dynamic in Girl Happy.