It Happened at the World's Fair

1963
Approved
1h 45m

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

3.2K

YOUR RATING

Elvis Presley and Joan O'Brien in It Happened at the World's Fair (1963)

Play trailer2:39

1 Video

65 Photos

Comedy Musical Romance

Mike and Danny hitch a ride to the World's Fair in Seattle after the sheriff seizes their crop duster biplane to cover Danny's gambling debts. Mike looks after the driver's 7 y.o. niece at t... Read allMike and Danny hitch a ride to the World's Fair in Seattle after the sheriff seizes their crop duster biplane to cover Danny's gambling debts. Mike looks after the driver's 7 y.o. niece at the fair, where he meets a cute nurse.Mike and Danny hitch a ride to the World's Fair in Seattle after the sheriff seizes their crop duster biplane to cover Danny's gambling debts. Mike looks after the driver's 7 y.o. niece at the fair, where he meets a cute nurse.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

3.2K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Dice Player
(uncredited)

George Cisar

Craps Shooter
(uncredited)

Bill Cole

The Mellomen
(uncredited)

Oliver Cross

Elevator Passenger
(uncredited)

Max Cutler

Cab Driver
(uncredited)

John Daheim

Tough Poker Player
(uncredited)

Director
- Norman Taurog
Writers
- Si Rose
- Seaman Jacobs
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Kurt Russell, in his film debut, plays the boy who kicks Elvis Presley's shins. Recalling the scene years later, Russell says that he didn't want to do it, as Elvis was such a huge star and Russell was a fan of his. He says that finally Elvis paid him $5 to do it. Russell would later go on to play Elvis in Elvis (1979) and voice him in Forrest Gump (1994).

Goofs
Upon arrival at the World's Fair, Elvis goes to store his luggage and guitar in a station locker. They don't show the guitar being stowed away as it is actually far too long to fit into the small sized locker.

Quotes
Mike Edwards: Hey kid, how would you like to kick me in the shin?
Boy: How would I like to kick you in the shin?
Mike Edwards: Uhum.
Boy: Mister are you drunk?
Mike Edwards: No. I'll tell you what, if you kick me in the shin I'll give you a quarter, here.
[Gives the boy a quarter and the boy kicks him]
Mike Edwards: [in pain] Yeoww! That's good! Thanks kid.
[limps off]
Boy: [shaking his head] Adults, they're all nuts!

Connections
Edited into Elvis (2022)

Soundtracks
Beyond the Bend
(uncredited)
Written by Ben Weisman, Fred Wise, Dolores Fuller
Performed by Elvis Presley

User reviews47

Review

Featured review

6/10

Formula Presley film with interesting fair backgrounds...

ELVIS PRESLEY gets to sing several non-memorable songs, the best of which is "One Broken Heart for Sale", but IT HAPPENED AT THE WORLD'S FAIR is strictly standard Presley stuff wherein the guy has his eye on a pretty gal (JOAN O'BRIEN) and makes a pitch, the sort that turns her off at first. Predictably, after a few misunderstandings involving a small girl abandoned at the fair, a happy ending is soon in sight.

The music by Leith Stevens is pleasant enough and the fair grounds at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair make colorful backgrounds for the slight story. GARY LOCKWOOD is Elvis' pilot pal, both of them down on their luck but seeming to spend plenty of money on the fair and decent lodgings. The sub-plot involving both bachelors entrusted with the care of a seven year-old by a complete stranger is more than a little improbable, especially given today's public awareness of children being taken advantage of by adults with criminal behavior.

Presley shares some effective scenes with the little girl but has his standard "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy wins girl" routine with leading lady O'Brien, a pert blonde who plays a nurse who suspects him of feigning illness as a part of his wolf routine. Naturally, the little girl is responsible for bringing them together again after a few silly misunderstandings keep them apart.

Nothing special, but passes the time pleasantly whenever Elvis sings, which is pretty often.