Bottom

Directed: Gene Nelson
Writing Credits: Gerald Drayson Adams,Gene Nelson
Producer: Sam Katzman
Music Supervised and conducted by: Fred Karger
Choreographer: Hal Belfer
Assistant Director: Eli Dunn
Recording Supervisor: Franklin Milton
Technical Advisor: Colonel Tom Parker
Hair Styles: Sydney Guilaroff
Panavision and Metrocolor




Cast overview:
Elvis Presley .... Josh Morgan & Jodie Tatum, Arthur O'Connell .... Pappy Tatum, Glenda Farrell .... Ma Tatum, Jack Albertson .... Captain Robert Jason Salbo, Pamela Austin .... Selena Tatum, Cynthia Pepper .... Corporal Midge Riley, Yvonne Craig .... Azalea Tatum, Donald Woods .... General Alvin Donford, Tommy Farrell .... Master Sergeant William George Bailey, Beverly Powers .... Trudy, Hortense Petra .... Dixie Cate, Robert Stone .... General's Aide, Rest of cast listed alphabetically Teri Garr, Beverly Hills, Maureen Reagan

Kissin' Cousins has Elvis appearing in a dual role as a soldier (Josh Morgan) and a hillbilly (Jodie Tatum.)
The story revolves around the armed forces attempts to take ownership of a backwoods mountain in order to build a military base, but the Tatum family who own and live on the mountain have resisted all previous attempts. The forces send in Josh Morgan (Elvis) when they discover he is a distant relative of the Tatum's. The film includes exciting fist-fights, surrealistically phony mountain and forest studio sets, hapless choreography, and gorgeous Yvonne Craig as one of the backwoods spitfires who tries to capture E's heart. Musical highlight of the film is the second version of the song Kissin' Cousins which is more upbeat with better lyrics than the first version which is heard over the opening and closing titles.

"KISSIN' COUSINS"
Written by Fred Wise & Randy Star, Performed by Elvis Presley
The first version of the song is a rocker with a good beat, sax break and wailing guitars. Released as a single with It Hurts Me on the flip side (1964). Later on the LP Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol.1 (1970). The second version is heard over the titles of the film. Speeded up with inferior lyrics. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Kissin' Cousins/Clambake/Stay Away Joe (1993).

"SMOKEY MOUNTAIN BOY"
Written by Lenore Rosenblatt & Victor Millrose, Performed by Elvis Presley
A marching song with banjo. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Kissin' Cousins/Clambake/Stay Away Joe (1993).

"ONE BOY, TWO LITTLE GIRLS"
Written by Bill Grant, Bernie Baum & Florence Kaye, Performed by Elvis Presley
A quiet track without much substance despite chorus, piano etc. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Kissin' Cousins/Clambake/Stay Away Joe (1993).

"CATCHIN' ON FAST"
Written by Bill Grant, Bernie Baum & Florence Kaye, Performed by Elvis Presley
A quick dance number with Elvis singing about being taught how to kiss. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Kissin' Cousins/Clambake/Stay Away Joe (1993).

"TENDER FEELING"
Written by Bernie Baum & Florence Kaye, Performed by Elvis Presley
The melody of Shenandoah, acoustic guitars, mandolins with backing from the Jordanaires. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Kissin' Cousins/Clambake/Stay Away Joe (1993).

"BAREFOOT BALLAD"
Written by Dolores Fuller & Lee Morris, Performed by Elvis Presley
Hillbilly number. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Kissin' Cousins/Clambake/Stay Away Joe (1993).

"ONCE IS ENOUGH"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
Cornball rocker. Released on the soundtrack LP (1964). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Kissin' Cousins/Clambake/Stay Away Joe (1993).

Recorded at:
RCA Studios, 17th Avenue, South Nashville. October 1963

Musicians:
Elvis Presley (vocals), Scotty Moore, Grady Martin, Jerry Kennedy, Harold Bradley (guitars), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Buddy Harman (drums), Floyd Cramer (piano), Boots Randolph, Bill Justis (sax), the Jordanaires (vocals).

Trivia

Yvonne Craig also appeared as Dorothy Johnson in It Happened At The Worlds Fair 1963.

The filming of "Kissin' Cousins" was completed in a record time of seventeen days. Production cost was $1.3 million.

Top