It Happened at the World's Fair (1963)

How sad is this?

Good movie but grossly overrated

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

It Happened at the World's Fair (1963): Dir: Norman Taurog / Cast: Elvis Presley, Joan O'Brien, Gary Lockwood, Vicky Tiu, Yvonne Craig: Boring drivel about life experiences such as making a film this stupid. Elvis Presley and Gary Lockwood play a couple of morons who owe a large dept and must get their plane back after the police take it. Before "never talk to strangers" became the norm, a man who will never win Father of the Year allows his Asian daughter to go to the fair with two strangers. They turn out to be Elvis Presley and Gary Lockwood but who cares. It is creepy as hell. Elvis Bonds with this girl who doesn't know any better. Joan O'Brien plays a nurse who ends up the victim of Presley's antics particularly when he pays a kid to kick him in the knee to fake an injury. She is the standard airhead who is subdued into believing his crap because the screenplay is predictable tripe. Vicky Tiu as the Asian kid is about as bad as a child actor can get. She cannot even convincingly whine. Norman Taurog seems to have a knack for making horrible Elvis films because he has made many and this is about as bad as they get. Even the sets look about as fake as the average episode of Mr. Dressup. Fans are advised to celebrate the music of Presley because it is obvious that the one thing that didn't happen at the world's fair is doing a film that is any better than horse sh*t. Score: 1 / 10

Acting just a touch square you might think! However he was a singer, if you bare that in mind and just enjoy the fun and wonderful songs, then your sure to enjoy it . Take it for what it is. That's what I did and I love it., its a roller-coaster ride of entertainment by none other than Elvis.what more can a person need.Great acting by others in the film.Although Elvis wasn't to bad himself It's certainly fair anywayPlus for a bonus he has beautiful women in it tooLovely

I really don't get tired of this film! It contains four terrific elements that make for a good show: 1) a good soundtrack (several fine bouncy numbers, and I'm even getting used to "Relax" which visually looks stunning ---- Yvonne Craig and Elvis!), 2)an interesting story, 3) somewhat fascinating characters, and 4) good scenery. I can even add a number five, action! Elvis clobbers some gamblers near the beginning of the film, then a gangster near the end of the movie! The little Asian girl really makes the film! I find her cute, not annoying as one of my fellow writers here stated. She and Elvis had a pretty good chemistry together. Gary Lockwood was admirable as the gambling, lying friend! Joan O'Brien was okay for the role given. Kurt Russell was terrific to see.....good kicks! I was so glad to see it on TCM a while ago. Letterboxed and beautiful. My copy from VHS was awful!

ELVIS PRESLEY gets to sing several non-memorable songs, the best of which is "One Broken Heart for Sale", but IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD'S FAIR is strictly standard Presley stuff wherein the guy has his eye on a pretty gal (JOAN O'BRIEN) and makes a pitch, the sort that turns her off at first. Predictably, after a few misunderstandings involving a small girl abandoned at the fair, a happy ending is soon in sight.The music by Leith Stevens is pleasant enough and the fair grounds at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair make colorful backgrounds for the slight story. GARY LOCKWOOD is Elvis' pilot pal, both of them down on their luck but seeming to spend plenty of money on the fair and decent lodgings. The sub-plot involving both bachelors entrusted with the care of a seven year-old by a complete stranger is more than a little improbable, especially given today's public awareness of children being taken advantage of by adults with criminal behavior.Presley shares some effective scenes with the little girl but has his standard "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy wins girl" routine with leading lady O'Brien, a pert blonde who plays a nurse who suspects him of feigning illness as a part of his wolf routine. Naturally, the little girl is responsible for bringing them together again after a few silly misunderstandings keep them apart.Nothing special, but passes the time pleasantly whenever Elvis sings, which is pretty often.