It Happened At The World's Fair
Shooting began August 27, 1962
Opened in Los Angeles on April 3, 1963
Opened nationally on April 10, 1963
Character: Mike Edwards
Producer: Ted Richmond
Director: Norman Taurog
Plot:
This musical comedy takes place against the backdrop of the 1963 Seattle World's Fair. Mike Edwards and his friend Danny Burke hitchhike to Seattle to find work. They are desperately seeking money to finance their plane on which the sheriff has taken a lien against. They hitch a ride with a Chinese farmer and his seven-year-old niece. when business unexpectedly occupies the Uncle, Mike takes Sue-Lin to the World's Fair where he meets and falls for Nurse Diane Warren. When sue-Lin's uncle fails to reclaim her, Mike takes on the responsibility of the little girl. Child Welfare threatens to take her away from Mike and Danny inadvertently becomes involved with smugglers. The film ends on a happier note, with Sue-Lin's uncle returning for her and Mike and Diane find love in each other.
Songs:
"Beyond the Bend"-Sung over the opening credits as Elvis pilots a biplane.
"Relax" - Sung at Yvonne Craig's house.
"Take Me to the Fair" - Sung to Vicky Tiu on the back of a flatbed truck while playing the ukulele.
"They Remind Me Too Much of You" - Sung on the monorail at night while Vicky Tiu slept. The song was sung over the soundtrack-Elvis didn't lip-synch.
"One Broken Heart For Sale" - Sung at the Century 21 Estates. The Mello Men sang backup.
"I'm Falling in Love Tonight" - Sung to Joan O'Brien in the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle.
"Cotton Candy Land" - Sung to Vicky Tiu while trying to get her to fall asleep in the trailer.
"A World of Our Own" - Sung to Joan O'Brien outside the trailer.
"How Would You Like To Be" - Sung to Vicky Tiu in the trailer. She joins him in a duet.
"Happy Ending" - sung at the conclusion of the film while marching in front of a band, Joan O' Brien joins in a partial duet.
Cast:
| Mike
Edwards - Elvis Presley
Diane Warren - Joan O'Brien Danny Burke - Gary Lockwood Sue-Lin - Vicky Tiu Vince Bradley - H. M. Wynant Miss Steuben, the Head Nurse - Edith Atwater Barney Thatcher - Guy Raymond Miss Ettinger - Dorothy Green Walter Ling - Kam Tong Dorothy Johnson - Yvonne Craig Sheriff Garland - Russell Thorson Mechanic - Wilson Wood Mr. Farr, the Foreman at Great Washington Produce - Robert B. Williams Henry Johnson - Olan Soule Emma Johnson - Jacqueline Dewit Charlie - John Day Fred - Red West Poker Players - Paul Gorss, John Indrisano, Troy Melton |
June
- Sandra Giles
Rita - Evelyn Dutton Redhead on Monorail - Linda Humble Boy Who Kicks Elvis - Kurt Russell Erna, a Concessionaire - Erna Tanler Chinese Attendant - Jong Ok Kim Second Attendant - Kathryn MacGuinness Crap shooter - George Cisar Dice Players - Hal Riddle, Sid Kane, Don Brodie Waitress - Paula Lane Guards - David Tyrrell, John Francis Airport Guard - Mike Mahoney Lieutenant Staffer - Tom Greenway NASA Recruiting Officer - Patrick Waltz Carnival Man - Joe Esposito Mechanic - J. Lewis Smith Crap Shooters - Herbert Bress, George Milan, Joe Quinn, Charles Victor Policeman - Pete Kellett Cab Driver - Max Cutler |
Production Notes:
One of the first titles for It Happened At the World's Fair was Mister, Will You Marry Me. In February 1962 it was changed to Take Me Out to the Fair. One month later it became Take Me To The Fair.
Filming began in Culver City and then later moved to Seattle for the monorail scene to be the first put on film.
While in Seattle Elvis stayed on the fourteenth floor of the New Washington Hotel.
It Happened At The World's Fair included the following World's Fair scenes: Monorail Ride, Skyride, Dream Car Exhibit, Bell Telephone Exhibit, Floating City of Tomorrow, Theme Building, Science Exhibit, Filipino Building, Space Needle, and the restaurant in the Space Needle.
MGM arranged for a hundred special policemen to protect Elvis from Fair crowds while filming. Six Pinkerton plainclothes detectives were at his side every second he wasn't in front of the cameras.
Elvis' wardrobe cost $9,300 and included ten suits, four sports jackets, thirty shirts, fifteen pairs of slacks, two cashmere coats, and fifty five ties. This was created by Sy Devore, a leading Hollywood tailor who was hired to create a "look like a smart, well-dressed young businessman." Special care had to be taken especially with Elvis' trousers because he supposedly didn't wear underwear during this period.
It Happened at the World's Fair was ranked #55 in Variety's list of top-grossing films for 1963. It grossed $2.25 million for the year.
Trivia:
Mike Edward's plane was nicknamed Bessie. It's registration number was N6340.
Mike and Danny dusted potatoes for the Great Washington Produce Company.
Mike Edwards's hometown was Sherrington, Washington.
Danny lost $700 in a poker game held at Charlie's Garage in Clary, Washington. The ensuing fight caused Danny and Mike to leave town quickly.
While in Seattle, Mike and Danny stayed in a trailer at the Century 21 Estates on Lakeview Road. Barney Thatcher was the camp's manager. Danny won free use of Barney's station wagon by defeating him in a gin rummy game.
About forty-five seconds after singing "One Broken Heart For Sale" Elvis met Kurt Russell.