Elvis Presley’s iconic hip thrusts were legendary, but Ursula Andress, fresh from Dr. No, took things to another level in Fun in Acapulco. The chemistry between them was undeniable, but what happened behind the scenes? The answer might surprise you…
Top-grossing movie musical of 1963
Elvis Presley made everything fun, and Fun in Acapulco is no exception. With his smooth moves and jaw-dropping looks, he was basically a living, breathing work of art—like a marble statue that could sing. Add in Ursula Andress, the iconic Bond girl, and you’ve got a combo of talent and chemistry that’s impossible to ignore.
Sure, it’s your typical beachy musical, but Elvis makes it shine with his incredible voice and those catchy tunes, like “Bossa Nova Baby,” which hit Number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the top-grossing movie musical of 1963, and, believe it or not, it came out right after the heartbreaking news of JFK’s assassination.
While the script might’ve been a little basic, Elvis’ charm and that unforgettable voice made it a must-see. Watching this iconic film today, you can’t help but see it in a whole new light. There are plenty of forgotten facts and fun bloopers that most moviegoers never even noticed back in the day. But let’s be real—talking about Fun in Acapulco without mentioning the undeniable chemistry between the leads would be impossible. So, let’s start there…
Ursula Andress had her eyes set on Elvis
In 1963, Ursula Andress was the hottest woman on the planet, fresh off her breakout role in Dr. No. In Fun in Acapulco, Ursula Andress played Marguerita Dauphin, the hotel social director who’s interested in Elvis’ character, Mike.
While she initially kept her distance from Elvis Presley, thanks to some unflattering tabloid stories, their chemistry grew as filming went on. Later, Ursula admitted how surprised and overwhelmed she felt when she first met The King, a moment that left her in awe of Elvis Presley’s larger-than-life presence.
”The only way I knew him was from TV, this new idol, this hip-swinging lover with a guitar. The first day I went to work, he came over, this humble man, full of charm, love in his eyes, and kindness, and being so considerate and warm. I was so surprised,” she said.
Normally, it was Elvis who used his charm to chase after his co-stars, but according to his Memphis Mafia buddy Sonny West, this time the tables were turned. West shared, ”They were very close. She went after him. She wanted him bad.”
Did Elvis fall in love with Ursula Andress?
Rumors of a romance between Ursula and Elvis immediately began to swirl – and the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was obviously very impressed by his gorgeous co-star.
According to people close to Elvis, though, “nothing happened” between the two actors. In fact, Elvis actually didn’t seem that impressed by Ursula’s looks.
You’d think Elvis would be into Ursula just because she dated James Dean, but maybe he had moved on from that. However, Alan Fortas, one of Elvis’ Memphis Mafia friends who knew him well, said Elvis was actually intrigued by her because of the James Dean connection.
Still, Elvis didn’t go after her, explaining that she was too broad-shouldered for his taste — definitely not the petite type he usually liked.
Elvis had a rule when it came to relationships
Maybe Elvis’ comments about Ursula’s broad shoulders were just a defense mechanism. There’s a good chance he was doing everything he could to avoid any romance with with the Swiss sex bomb, especially since he was hoping to reunite with his first love, Priscilla Presley.
In fact, Elvis was so nervous about Ursula’s charms that he made sure his entourage never left him alone with her. As his friend Alan Fortas teased him about a potential flirtation, Elvis quickly shot back, “No way, son, not with John Derek lurking all over the place. I’d be goddamned if I’d start a conversation with her and see his possessive eyes glaring at me. You know he gave her a car, and on the steering wheel it said, ‘Baby, you’re indispensable.’ Head over heels in love with her. Never saw anything like it.”
Elvis had a rule when it came to his relationships: he never went for married women. His Memphis Mafia friend Sonny West recalled, “Elvis told us never to leave him alone with her.” That rule definitely played a part in keeping things strictly professional between Elvis and Ursula, even if the sparks were flying.
What did Priscilla say?
In Pricilla Presley’s book, Elvis and Me, she recalled what Elvis had to say about Ursula and his feelings towards her. Priscilla said that Elvis thought Ursula had a ”body like a man” with no hips, and shoulders broader than his.
”I was embarrassed to take my goddam shirt off next to her,” Elvis said.
“I was surprised to hear how Elvis was talking about Ursula Andress, the alluring sex goddess of Dr. No. ‘Wasn’t she pretty?’ I asked. ‘Pretty?’ he snickered. ‘Hell, she had a bone structure so sharp, it could cut you in half if you turned too fast,’ Priscilla shared.
Wasn’t allowed to be too sexy
Even though Ursula Andress was the ultimate sex symbol as the first Bond girl in Dr. No, Fun in Acapulco toned things way down for Elvis’ young audience.
Ursula wasn’t thrilled about it either, saying, “They wouldn’t let me wear a real bikini and put a ruffled thing on me. They even stuck on a hair ribbon, stupidly thinking this would please the innocent little girls in Elvis’ audiences.”
Elvis Presley didn’t film in Acapulco
I had no idea Elvis never actually filmed Fun in Acapulco in Acapulco! Turns out, a stunt double (Raul Garcia) was used for all the location shots because Elvis wasn’t even allowed in Mexico. He had been declared persona non grata by the Mexican government, and by 1963, the rumor that he had insulted Mexico was still widely believed. Even Hollywood columnist Sheilah Graham reported it as fact, writing in December 1962, “Elvis Presley made some derogatory remarks about Mexican women in a fan mag article about two years ago. In Mexico, they are only just now getting around to forgiving him.”
But Elvis never actually said anything like that. The rumor was allegedly started by a politician who was upset that Elvis refused to perform a private concert for his daughter and her friends. That didn’t stop the backlash, though—Elvis had already been on Mexico’s bad side for years.
Back in 1957, Mexico’s Education Minister banned him from performing in any government-owned venue, claiming that his rock ’n’ roll style “lacks esthetic values and is markedly pornographic.” A month later, a Hollywood columnist reported, “Elvis Presley was offered $12,000 for one TV performance in Mexico City but had turned it down because he’s too busy making movies in Hollywood.”
With all the controversy surrounding him, filming in Mexico was never an option. Presley’s worldwide fame alone would have made it impossible to go unnoticed, but with the negative press he had received, working undercover in Mexico was completely out of the question.
Elvis shot all of his scenes at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California.
Elvis was very uncomfortable in this outfit
According to the blog Deenas Days, Elvis wasn’t too thrilled about his outfit while filming the Marguerita song.
The scene itself is a classic, showcasing his incredible voice and reminding us why he’s considered one of the greatest vocalists ever. But there’s an interesting detail about his short-sleeved shirt that has since inspired many.
Elvis didn’t like the untucked, short-sleeved look, saying it wasn’t something he’d ever wear in real life. However, he had no choice — the outfit had already been worn by his double in an earlier shot.
That said, he did love most of his Latin-inspired costumes and even asked to keep his flamenco-style outfit (the navy blue and red cummerbund) along with two black silk shirts.
Elvis learns what a Margarita is… kind of.
Speaking of Marguerita, here’s a fun little detail that sharp-eyed viewers might have noticed! When Elvis Presley and Ursula Andress’s characters visit La Perla, they order two margaritas—but what they’re served looks nothing like the classic cocktail.
“Margarita, por favor,” Maggie orders, prompting Mike to cluelessly ask, “He’s asking your name?” She laughs and explains, “No, silly, a margarita is a drink made with tequila.” To which Mike, ever the charmer, replies, “Well, any drink named after you is good enough for me… two margaritas, please!”
For modern audiences, it’s hard to believe Mike wouldn’t know what a margarita is—but what’s even funnier is how the drink is portrayed in the scene. Instead of the familiar lime-infused cocktail, they’re handed what looks like straight tequila in coupe glasses, with a salted rim and a straw. Not quite the refreshing margarita we know today!
Cliff dives, trapeze tricks, and an awkward grab
Elvis Presley was all about putting on a show, but even he had his limits—especially when it came to a 136-foot cliff dive! While Fun in Acapulco made it seem like The King fearlessly leaped into the water, that daring stunt was actually performed by a professional. But that didn’t mean Elvis wasn’t up for some action. He was determined to do his own stunts, even swinging on the trapeze himself! Of course, they wisely saved that scene for the very last day of filming—just in case something went wrong.
One of the more amusing moments happened during the triumphant post-dive celebration. After his “victorious” jump, Elvis was hoisted onto the shoulders of cheering onlookers. But there was one small problem — one of the guys carrying him got a little too handsy. Elvis kept shifting uncomfortably, leading to multiple reshoots before the overenthusiastic grabber was quietly dismissed.
And here’s another fun little detail: Despite all the water action, Elvis’ hair somehow remained perfectly combed throughout. He dives in, he swims, he climbs out—and not a strand out of place. Now that’s movie magic!
Did you spot the familiar faces?
Three familiar faces from earlier Elvis movies make brief appearances in Fun in Acapulco. Darlene Tompkins, who plays one of the underage girls in a smoky Acapulco canteen, had previously been seen as Patsy, a teenage girl Elvis’ character guided around in Blue Hawaii.
Linda Rivera, who works at the hotel telegraph desk, had a small role as a squealing bobbysoxer in Loving You (1957). Howard McNear made his third appearance in an Elvis film.
And, of course, Teri Garr made her uncredited debut as an extra in Fun in Acapulco, eventually going on to appear in four more Elvis movies before launching her own acting career. Sadly, Teri passed away in 2024. The actress died of multiple sclerosis, a disease she had battled for over 20 years.
The truth behind the photo
Looking at behind-the-scenes photos of Elvis and Ursula from Fun in Acapulco is even more fascinating today, knowing what we do about their dynamic.
But one picture in particular caught my eye—not because it proves anything about the rumors of an affair, but for one simple reason: Who else but Elvis wears all black to the beach—long sleeves and long pants?! Only The King could make that look effortlessly cool under the Mexican sun!
The last cinematic hurrah
Fun in Acapulco was Elvis Presley’s last film release before the tidal wave of Beatlemania took over the world. The film’s lighthearted plot, Elvis’s charm, and catchy tunes offered a brief escape from the social shifts taking place.
But as the 1960s rolled on, the cultural landscape began to change. In a fun twist, The Beatles, fresh off their first American tour, made a point to visit a Florida drive-in theater to see Fun in Acapulco. It’s a fascinating snapshot of the changing entertainment scene.
If you’re a fan of both Elvis and The Beatles, this moment in time is a perfect example of how two iconic forces from different worlds were crossing paths, even if unknowingly. It’s also a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of pop culture. So, the next time you watch Fun in Acapulco, remember it wasn’t just another Elvis movie — it was the last cinematic hurrah before the world changed forever. Share your thoughts, and keep the conversation going!
