Elvis Presley's 21st feature film, Paradise, Hawaiian Style is a 1966 musical comedy film directed by Michael D. Moore.
After Rick Richard's (Presley) skirt-chasing ways cost him his job as an airline pilot, he moves to Hawaii and meets up with an old friend, Danny Kohana (James Shigeta), with whom Rick starts a helicopter charter business. Rick charms many of his ex-girlfriends into chipping in on the business and hires Judy (Suzanna Leigh) as a secretary. Then he gets in trouble when he tries to carry several dogs without a crate and almost crashes, causing Rick to become grounded. The incident, as well as the fact that Rick still hasn't given up his troublesome skirt-chasing, strains his friendship with Danny.
Tropes:
- Belly-Scraping Flight: When Rick carries the dogs in the helicopter, they go crazy and interfere with Rick's flying, causing him to lose control and come very close to the ground. Although he ultimately makes a safe landing, he almost crashes into some farmers and Mr. Belden, leading to his grounding.
- The Casanova: Rick really loves the ladies and one too many indiscretions cost him his job as an airline pilot. In Hawaii, he reconnects with a harem (as Judy calls them at one point) of past flings who regard him with a mix of resentment and longing, and he convinces them to pitch in on his and Danny's business.
- Catchphrase: "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours," and variations thereof. It's Rick's go-to phrase for getting business partners.
- Dance Party Ending: The movie ends with Rick singing "This Is My Heaven" with many dancing and drumming islanders.
- Girl Friday: Rick conducts interviews to hire a "girl Friday", that is, a secretary for his and Danny's business. He interviews many sexy girls, but Danny gives Judy the job and proclaims her to be married so Rick doesn't get "distracted". Rick really insists on the "girl Friday" terminology, to the point where he nicknames Judy "Friday".
- Hula and Luaus: There's lots of musical scenes with natives dancing and wearing stereotypical grass skirts and leis.
- Instant Bandages: When Rick comes out of the helicopter with the dogs, they all somehow have bandages all over their bodies even though it's very unlikely either he or the girl he's with could have applied them during flight, in such a cramped space, and with the dogs acting as rowdy as they were.
- Just for the Heli of It: When Danny first proposes that Rick fly helicopters for a living, Rick's reply is "I'm not that desperate." He changes his mind not that much later.
- Stay in the Kitchen: Judy is an accomplished and knowledgeable flyer, but Danny scoffs at her when she suggests being a pilot for their business, dismissively says they'll talk about it later (they never do) and hires her as a secretary. Later, Judy tells Rick she'd rather do what he does, to which he condescendingly replies that she "couldn't take the strain". Even though these moments sound like foreshadowing leading up to a scene of Judy proving her mettle, this never materializes; when Danny is stranded with a broken leg at a time when Rick is grounded, Judy offers to rescue Danny, but Rick instead does so, violating his grounding in the name of friendship.
- Title Drop: At the start, a stewardess named Peggy hears Rick's tale of how he got fired and why he's going to Hawaii. She used to date him, knows he's a ladies' man and thus is fairly unsympathetic and snarky towards him. This leads to their parting exchange:Rick: Well, thanks for the sympathetic ear.
Peggy: Part of the service. Welcome to paradise, Hawaiian style.
(roll opening credits) - Wedding Ring Defense: Knowing that Rick can't help but make moves on attractive women, Danny has the secretary he hired, Judy, wear a wedding ring as defense from Rick's pursuit.
