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'The Trouble With Girls' is an odd mixture of music, comedy, and melodrama, The Trouble with Girls is unique for an Elvis Presley picture because Elvis is only on screen for about a third of the film. Elvis stars as Walter Hale, the manager of a traveling chautauqua. A chautauqua is a school that provides education combined with entertainment. Walter is beset with a number of problems as his show arrives in town for one week. He worries that he might have to give the mayor's untalented daughter the lead in the children's pageant to stay in the mayor's good graces. He must contend with his assistant, played by Marlyn Mason, who is constantly harping about the union rights of his employees. Finally, someone murders the local druggist, and a member of the chautauqua is accused. These loose ends are tied together during the final show, when Walter cannily reveals the killer's identity and wins the heart of his pretty assistant.
The story had a long road to production as a movie. As early as December 1960, Glenn Ford was set to star in the film. By February 1961, Elvis was to join as Ford's co-star along with Hope Lange and Arthur O'Connell. Screenwriters changed over and over and, by July 1961, Glenn Ford was out and Elvis was in as the star. In August 1964, Elvis was out and Dick Van Dyke was chosen to star. After more screenwriter changes MGM sold its rights to Columbia Pictures. In April 1968 MGM bought back the rights to the film and Elvis was back in as the star. Production finally began in October 1968 and was finished by December 18, 1968. Filming took place at the MGM studios. Among the film's working titles had been 'Big America' (during the Columbia possession) and 'Chautauqa' (including the time of production with Elvis). Ultimately, it was released as 'The Trouble with Girls (And How to Get Into It)'.
Sheree North played Nita Bix. Ms. North has had roles in such films as 'Madigan', 'Charley Varrick' and 'The Shootist' and has guest performed on such TV series as 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show' and 'The Golden Girls'. She is also be remembered for playing Kramer's mother on the 'Seinfeld' TV series, a character who reveals to the other characters that Kramer's first name is Cosmo. She was nominated twice for an Emmy Award, one for her role on 'Archie Bunker's Place' and one for 'Marcus Welby, M.D.'. The innkeeper's daughter Betty was played by Nicole Jaffe, who also worked in the Disney movie 'The Love Bug'. She might be best known for her voice. From 1969 to 1973, she was the voice of Velma in the 'Scooby-Doo' cartoon series. Since 1974, she has been an agent for the William Morris Agency. John Carradine played Mr. Drewcolt and is well known for his deep voice. He acted in over 70 TV shows and in over 260 films, such as 'Bluebeard', 'The Grapes of Wrath' and 'Captains Courageous'. His roles varied from the numerous times he played Dracula in horror films to his portrayal of Aaron, brother of Moses, in the movie 'The Ten Commandments'. Vincent Price was Mr. Morality in the 'Trouble With Girls'. He played many types of roles in movies, including playing Baka in 'The Ten Commandments'. Eventually, Price became best known for his work in the horror genre - his character Dr. Phibes being one of the most memorable. His inimitable voice can be heard as the macabre narrator in Michael Jackson's music video 'Thriller'. Shortly before his death in 1993, he said that one of his favorite roles was the voice of Professor Ratigan in the Disney cartoon 'The Great Mouse Detective'. A gourmet cook, Price concentrated a big part the 1970's on cooking programs for television and he and his wife, the actress Coral Brown, wrote a cookbook. His last film role was in the 1990 film 'Edward Scissorhands'. Dabney Coleman played the villain Harrison Wilby in 'The Trouble with Girls'. Over the years, Mr. Coleman has became known for his roles as a smarmy, selfish type. You might remember him for his role as the oppressive boss in the movie 'Nine To Five'. He also played memorable roles of a similar nature on the comedic television series 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman', 'Buffalo Bill' and 'The Slap Maxwell Story'. Today, he can be seen weekly in the TV drama series 'The Guardian'. He has been nominated three times for a Golden Globe Award, winning one in 1988 for 'The Slap Maxwell Story'. He received a 1991 Emmy nomination for a guest role on 'Columbo'. Child actress Anissa Jones had the role of Carol Bix. She was also Buffy in the TV series 'Family Affair'. If you look closely, you can catch Susan Olsen trying out for the children's program at the Chautauqua. The next year she became known for her role as Cindy on the television series 'The Brady Bunch'. 'The Trouble With Girls' was directed by Peter Tewksbury, who also directed the Elvis film 'Stay Away Joe'. Mr. Tewksbury received three Emmy Award nominations for his work in television, winning one in 1959 for directing an episode of 'Father Knows Best'. Upon his retirement from show busines he relocated to Vermont. There he became known as 'Henry The Cheeseman', having become the manager of the cheese department at the Brattleboro, Vermont Food Co-Op and writing a book called 'The Cheeses of Vermont'. Tewksbury died in February 2003. Soundtrack - Almost
- Clean Up Your Own Backyard
- Swing Low Sweet Chariot
- Violet
- Signs Of The Zodiac
Recorded at: United Recorders, Los Angeles. October 1968. The Trouble With Girls (And How To Get Into It) - MGM 1969 Directed Peter Tewksbury Cast Overview |
