Film Review: Speedway - Elvis vs. The IRS

Wouldn’t life be great if it were an Elvis movie?
Elvis made 31 films, now not all of them were cinematic gems but you are pretty much guaranteed some or all of the following:

(1) An attractive female co-star (blond, brunette, redhead, take your pick)
(2) A reason to breakout into song either because you are a musician or
(3) Rock n’ roll music seems to follow you around and when it starts you are obligated to sing and sway your hips no matter where you are
(4) You’ll have a cool occupation, something involving horses or racing cars– but somehow you always play a mean guitar.

I haven’t seen all of his movies, but I have made my pilgrimage to Graceland, so I consider myself a fan.
Today on TCM I caught the last half of Speedway (1968).  Here Elvis plays a stock car driver whose business manager, played by Bill Bixby, gets him in trouble with the IRS.  The IRS in this film is staffed by Gail Gordon and a go-go boot wearing Nancy Sinatra.  Frankly, I’d welcome an audit from Nancy Sinatra.  The funniest bits of the film are the comedy stylings of Bill Bixby, I shouldn’t be surprised I know he did My Favorite Martian and The Courtship of Eddie’s Father way before becoming Dr. David “You won’t like me when I’m angry” Banner.  Another fun and off-the-wall bit is the all male dance number in the IRS office for the song,”He’s Your Uncle, Not Your Dad.”

Kinda weird making a song about it being patriotic to pay your taxes.

The race scenes are a mix of gearshift close-ups, soundstage backdrops, stock footage and actual track footage from the Charlotte now Lowe’s Motor Speedway.  One curious bit is the light blue 43 car that races against Elvis.  Its Richard Petty in the stock footage, but in close ups the driver is an actor named Ross Hagen.  All in all, I give it two and a half stars.  Not the best Elvis movie, but it packs in more laughs than most.