Aneesa Wardle
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Brenda
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Kinley
This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows
wes-connors
In Florida, girl-shy singer Elvis Presley (as Toby Kwimper) and his family are out driving on a road "closed to the public" when they run out of gas. The undereducated group, including heavily "on the dole" father Arthur O'Connell (as "Pop" Kwimper) and four orphans, decide to homestead on the sunny beach where their car conks out. Despite warnings from the highway supervisor, Mr. Presley and the gang build a home. Knowing all except the "nines", Presley recites multiplication tables to keep his sex drive in check. But, Presley still notices pretty 19-year-old Anne Helm (as Holly Jones), who both agree is "well built." The other three kids are pre-teens. As their beach community grows, Presley is elected "Sheriff" and must battle gambling gangsters...This is a very typical and feather-weight film for Presley, who was comfortably sandwiched between John Wayne and Jerry Lewis in the "Quigley Publications" list of money-making stars for 1962. No chances were taken with the lucrative Elvis formula. Here, the main strength is in the colorful widescreen location. The title song is a highlight, but "Follow That Dream" is presented in dreadful manner; mouthed by Presley after the camera established it is from a radio, it accompanies an attempted seduction by Joanna Moore. The song, and others are much stronger on disc. Originally released on a 4-track RCA Victor "EP" record, the soundtrack eventually sold a million, with "Follow That Dream" becoming a major hit single on airplay strength alone.*** Follow That Dream (4/11/62) Gordon Douglas ~ Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, Anne Helm, Joanna Moore
Gatorman9
Elvis usually made movies that were utterly shallow puffs of fluff. This one is completely different. For one thing, unlike his usual efforts here his part is anything but a one-dimensional stereotype and in his portrayal he proves he really could act. In fact, it is a shame he never did more of this kind of thing, because if you take this seriously you find that his character actually comes across as intriguingly ambiguous. Here he plays an utterly guileless, humble, unassuming "down-home" or "good-ole-boy" type (entirely different from his usual flashier persona) which really does look like some kind of combination not only of Jethro Bodine but also of Andy Taylor -- someone who is simultaneously naive and wise, as well as utterly cool, even-tempered and unflappable. In fact, the whole production can't help but remind you of the Beverly Hillbillies and the Andy Griffith Show, but with the intriguing sense that there is more going on than meets the eye. Moreover, the writing compares favorably with either of those shows, with quite a few clever lines of dialog and situational incongruities. As a lawyer I was similarly impressed with the treatment of the judge in the film, who proved pompous and yet also clear-headed and conscientious, a combination of contradictions such as you really can encounter in real life on occasion, and I'm inclined to think the writers had a better sense of characters than one expects in a B-movie of the era. Anyway, there isn't much on TV these days that is any better, so you would not waste your time to check this out in preference to yet another episode of *The King of Queens.* In fact, I actually agree with what another reviewer or message board poster said about this -- while watching it, it actually occurred to me that I would rather watch this than another screening of *Star Wars*.
mhrabovsky6912
Holy smokes, as far as Elvis movies goes this one is a hum dinger!!! Elvis, very uncharacteristically plays a laid back dumbo, backwoods buffoon who naively sails along in life while feasting on the public welfare trough. Elvis and his homemade family of unadopted brethren scoot along a highway in Florida and set up a camp in the middle of nowhere.....along the way an very obnoxious social dept leader tries to get Elvis and his homemade family to vacate the area..... This film has Elvis battling the state welfare establishment while setting up a very lucrative over the pier fishing business, either legally or illegally - you make the choice. Some hilarious scenes with Elvis unintentionally trying to make amends and friends with some local gangsters and their hoods......Elvis seems so naive and goofy the gangsters are in disbelief. The gangsters are very hilariously tricked by Elvis into running off and away from Elvis's encampment. Great job by the character actor Arthur O'connell as Elvis dad.....he is about as goofy and aloof as Elvis in the film with some hilarious commentary. The scene in the bank where Elvis and his girlfriend (Anne Helm) attempt to borrow money is downright hilarious. All in all this is one of the Pelvis's best films....very lighthearted and you will find yourself laughing on more than one occasion in this movie. Film fans will like it since the state establishment is defeated and the little guys win with their day in court. All in all this and "Kid Galahad" two of Elvis's best overall films.
Stephen Morse
"Moonspinner" (previous reviewer) must have had his/her head in a spin. First of all, I'm an Elvis fan, so I'm biased; and I acknowledge that about 10 of his 31 films were pretty poor. But for people to imply that Follow That Dream was one of them is ridiculous.Elvis' performance in this film is not simply good - it's outstanding. He plays an "idiot savant" type of role, and plays it to perfection. His speaking voice, his body language, his timing : they're all spot on for this characterisation.The fact that the film lasts for 1 Hr 45 min proves that some integrity went into its making, in order to get the whole story across; and make no mistake, it's a good story with a number of good episodes. OK, we're all so sophisticated and know-it-all these days, and can say the story is unbelievable, but it is set the best part of 50 years ago.Again, contrary to some other comments, the location filming is beautifully done and in the few instances where they have done back-projections, it is not at all obvious.It's easy to pick fault with any film, if you set your mind on it, but my only criticisms of Follow That Dream are (i) that Joanna Moore's diction is very poor and difficult to follow and (ii) that the recording studio echo on the song Follow That Dream does not fit the simplicity of the scene where it's sung - yet it still has a charm to it.Elvis's performance in this film deserved/deserves some wider recognition. There's no question that he was a competent actor. Contrast his role here, as Toby Kwimper, against the dramatic role as Pacer Burton in the superb Flaming Star, only a year earlier, and you can only express admiration.One final word of praise for Anne Helm, who plays her part as Holly to perfection.
