Elvis stops for Gas

Clambake

1967

 

Elvis’ red sports car in the film is a one-of-a-kind 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept car. Originally silver in color, this car was the design inspiration for the “C2” generation of Corvettes (1963 – 1967), which took the name “Stingray” from this vehicle.

Clambake was a 1967 movie starring Elvis Presley, and co-strarring Shelly Fabares, Bill Bixby, and Will Hutchins.

A wealthy young man, Scott Heyward (Elvis Presley) wants to experience life outside of his privileged upbringing. When he meets Tom Wilson (Hutchins), an earnest water-skiing instructor, Scott offers to trade places with him. As Tom warms up to the good life, Scott gets used to a less luxurious existence and falls for Dianne Carter (Shelley Fabares), who, ironically, is hoping to meet a rich man. Sticking to his humble guise, Scott tries to woo Dianne without the benefit of his true status.

I saw this movie when it came out in 1967. I was just 9 years old and at that age movies like this; James Bond 007 films, One Million Years B.C. starring the vivacious Raquel Welsh, and Sinbad The Sailor mesmerized me. It’s totally different weeing movies in theaters on the big screen when you’re an adult and when you are a child, in your mind every new and exciting new thing is so much more magical in your child mind. The older you get the feeling dissipates, but I remember still getting that feeling on my first trip to Europe, especially in Rome as a young man of 27, I still felt the magic and euphoria of a child. The place I watched mostly all these movies was Saturday and Sunday matinees at the famed Riviloi Theater in Rutherford, New Jersey,