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Elvis Presley is one of those American icons you just can’t replicate.

His electrifying chemistry with Ann-Margret lit up the screen in the 1964 film Viva Las Vegas, especially in their playful and perfect duet, “The Lady Loves Me.”

But not everything went as planned on set. There were bloopers and mistakes in the movie that slipped by unnoticed — until now. Ready to discover what you missed? Let’s take a closer look!

Elvis and Ann-Margret made movie and musical history together in Viva Las Vegas, which became the highest-grossing Elvis Presley film. Elvis Presley stars as Lucky Jackson, a determined race car driver aiming to win big in Las Vegas. Ann-Margret plays Rusty Martin, a vibrant dancer who captures Lucky’s heart.

In my opinion, it’s one of the most underrated films of all time.

Aside from the captivating performances, it also offers a rare glimpse of old Vegas landmarks that are now long gone.

The on-screen chemistry between Elvis and Ann-Margret was undeniable, and their off-screen connection was just as electric. But beyond the glitz and glamour, there are some hilarious goofs, little-known mistakes, and funny moments that even the biggest fans might have missed.

Elvis’ box office crown jewel
I always thought the legendary Blue Hawaii was the big money maker among Elvis’ 31 theatrical films. If someone had asked me in a quiz, I would’ve confidently guessed 10 out of 10 times that it was the top grosser.

But surprise, surprise — Viva Las Vegas actually took the crown, out-earning Blue Hawaii by a whopping $450,000. Despite receiving mixed reviews, it went on to become the highest-grossing Elvis Presley film.

At just 1 hour and 25 minutes, Viva Las Vegas also holds the title of being the shortest film in Elvis Presley’s career.

Ann-Margret above Elvis Presley
It’s hard to imagine today, given how much of an icon Elvis was — and still is. But did you know that some theaters actually billed Ann-Margret above Elvis Presley due to her popularity at the time?

That says a lot about how huge and in-demand the stunning Swedish-born Ann-Margret was in the mid-1960s.

Too much emphasis on female physical assets
Ann-Margret, 22 at the time, didn’t escape some critique when the film was released. Variety’s reviewer, identified only as “Tube,” had this to say about the film’s focus on her physical assets:

“Any excuse to stare at a derriere in motion seems good enough for director George Sidney and cameraman Joseph Biroc. The provocative pulchritude of Ann-Margret and assorted other chicks and chorines makes the sexy scrutiny downright pleasurable to the male eye, but there is a certain lack of tastefulness or subtlety about the film’s obsession with peeping at anatomical contours and epidermis simply for the sake of peeping.”

Quite the critique, right? Even with such a focus, Ann-Margret’s star power still shone through.

The casinos that survived the neon glow
Viva Las Vegas played a key role in shaping the city’s image as a global tourism hotspot. But as I mentioned earlier, out of all the casinos featured in the 1964 opening sequence of Viva Las Vegas, only six are still around today. It’s a fun little fact that shows just how much Las Vegas has changed over the years.

The filming locations were scattered all over Las Vegas, happening before Elvis’ marriage to Priscilla at the Aladdin and his famous residency at the International Hotel (now the Wingate).

Why was Vivas Las Vegas so popular?
The popularity of Viva Las Vegas can be attributed to a mix of factors: the undeniable chemistry between Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret, the catchy and energetic soundtrack, and the film’s dazzling technicolor visuals that showcased both the stars’ magnetic performances and the vibrant, neon-lit allure of Las Vegas.

The passion between Ann-Margret and Elvis
Looking at stills and scenes from Viva Las Vegas today, it’s clear: the chemistry between Ann-Margret and Elvis was undeniable from the start.

Ann-Margret’s energy and charisma were so powerful that she had outshone her previous three male co-stars. But with Elvis, it was different—he matched her every move. Together, they created a dynamic on-screen partnership like no other, one that Ann-Margret would later describe as the best she ever had. And in many ways, Elvis seemed to feel the same.

To put it simple, their attraction was instant and electric.

“We both felt a current, an electricity that went straight through us,” Ann-Margret said. “It would become a force we couldn’t control.”

Elvis wanted to marry Ann-Margret
Though Ann-Margret has been quite restrictive in revealing what really happened between the two stars, she has detailed some very exciting details in her autobiography, My Story.

According to Ann-Margret, Elvis wanted them to get married. Their dates often consisted of driving up a hill, looking down at the city, and talking.

”We were truly soul mates, shy on the outside but unbridled within. We both lived on the edge and were self-destructive in our own ways… In many ways, if you put aside the celebrity and what we achieved so quickly, we both remained very childish and were emotionally insecure,” Ann-Margret writes in her book.

There was one problem, though – Elvis was in a relationship with Priscilla Presley. One year before the Viva Las Vegas premiere, Elvis had asked the 17-year-old Priscilla to move in with him in Memphis.

Motorcycles, family, faith, and late-night talks
While working together, Ann-Margret and Elvis quickly realized how much they had in common. Beyond their shared love for music, they both had a passion for motorcycles, a deep love for family, a strong desire for privacy, a devotion to God, and enjoyed long late-night conversations.

During the early days of filming, Elvis invited her to join him and his crew for a night out at a show in Las Vegas. Ann-Margret recalled, “It was an innocent, friendly date. I was used to having my parents accompany me on dates, so Elvis’ entourage wasn’t a problem. His guys always treated me wonderfully.”

In return, Elvis’ friends felt at ease around Ann-Margret. Elvis’ cousin, Billy Smith, shared, “She made his life a little easier because she understood him and didn’t make any demands on him. She even understood his need for us. Priscilla never understood that.”

Why didn’t Elvis marry Ann-Margret?
In the end, the energetic and charismatic Swede was too similar to Elvis. They were ”mirror images,” and that wasn’t a good thing, considering Elvis’ values.

He was traditional and conservative in his view of marriage. Priscilla Presley fitted the profile – Ann-Margret did not.

They continued to send each other love letters after Viva Las Vegas, but soon after that, Elvis knew he had to break it off with Ann-Margret.

”We knew that our relationship had to end, that Elvis needed to fulfill his commitment,” Ann-Margret wrote in My story.

Although their romantic relationship ended, the couple stayed in contact after Elvis’ marriage to Priscilla. ”The King” used to send her guitar-shaped floral bouquets every time she performed in Las Vegas.

Ann-Margret and Elvis remained lifelong friends, and when she didn’t receive any flowers after a show in 1977, she knew that The King was dead. Ann-Margret was the only female co-star of Elvis’s to attend his funeral.

Ann-Margret’s honest confession about Elvis
Ann-Margret, now 83, continues to captivate fans with her timeless energy and charm. Recently, the actress was inducted into the UNLV College of Fine Arts Hall of Fame.

And even after all these years, she still reveals fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about Viva Las Vegas, keeping the magic of the film alive for new generations.

In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Ann-Margret revealed more details about her relationship with Elvis, offering a refreshing and new perspective on the couple.

This sounds weird, but I had never seen him perform before I did the movie. I know that’s hard to believe. We just found out we were very much alike. We were both very shy, but then you become this other person when you are performing. I loved my parents so much, and he loved his mother so much.”

So, whether you’re revisiting it for the music, the mesmerizing performances, or just for a taste of old-school charm, Viva Las Vegas will always hold a special place in cinematic history.

Take a moment to appreciate the movie that made us all fall in love with the neon lights of Vegas — and the unforgettable duo who brought it to life. Share the fun and nostalgia with friends, and keep the legend alive!