Elvis Presley's 20th feature film, Frankie and Johnny is a 1966 musical romantic comedy directed by Frederick de Cordova.
Set around the late 19th century, Johnny (Presley) is an entertainer working on a Mississippi riverboat. He is also a compulsive gambler with poor luck, irritating his girlfriend, Frankie (Donna Douglas), to no end. After a Romani fortune-teller tells him a redhead will bring him luck, he meets Nellie Bly (Nancy Kovack), who matches the description and indeed brings him luck when he gambles, but she is also the girlfriend of Johnny's boss Clint Braden (Anthony Eisley). As Johnny insists in having Nellie at his side for luck, romantic complications ensue.
Tropes:
- Blonde, Brunette, Redhead: The three main women in the movie are the blonde Frankie (Johnny's girlfriend), the redhead Nellie (Johnny's boss Braden's girlfriend) and the brunette Mitzi (who is pursued by Braden on the side but otherwise has no luck in love).
- Death by Woman Scorned: The song Frankie and Johnny, which is performed by the namesake main couple as part of a show, is about a woman shooting her boyfriend after she finds out he's been unfaithful. The real Frankie claims she would do the same to the real Johnny if he did her wrong (in the end, neither thing ever happens, though Frankie's suspicions of Johnny's interest in Nellie drive the plot).
- The Gambling Addict: Johnny's obsessed with gambling despite a very poor winning streak. This gets on his main love interest Frankie's nerves.
- Good Luck Charm: Fortune-teller Zolita tells Johnny that he needs a redhead by his side if he wants luck at gambling. He meets the redheaded Nellie and when he wins big in her presence, decides to have her at his side as much as possible, which causes trouble as she's actually Braden's girlfriend.
- It's Always Mardi Gras in New Orleans: The riverboat stops by New Orleans and what do you know, it's Mardi Gras. This serves as an excuse for the characters to dress up in costumes and for Frankie and Nellie to trick Johnny.
- Magic Feather: Frankie and Nellie plot to have the former take the latter's place while Johnny is gambling, which is achievable because they're wearing masks and similar Madame Pompadour costumes, down to the blonde wigs. Also, Frankie can imitate Nellie's voice. Johnny wins $10,000 with Frankie-as-Nellie at his side, proving that his belief that Nellie brings him luck is hokum, or at least a placebo.
- Pocket Protector: The gun with blank bullets used for the show is switched for one with real bullets. Frankie accidentally shoots Johnny with it, but a medallion given to him by Frankie protects him.
