Spinout (1966)

Freewheeling rock singer and racing driver Mike McCoy (Elvis Presley) loves living a carefree, swinging bachelor life, but has three beautiful women competing to get him down the aisle.

Cynthia Foxhugh (Shelly Fabares) is a spoiled rich kid used to getting her own way. Her millionaire father, Howard (Carl Betz), wants Presley to drive his new experimental ‘Fox Five’ racing car (actually a McLaren Elva) in the Santa Fe Road Race.

Les (Deborah Walley) is his tomboy drummer and gourmet cook who believes her musical inclinations may win Mike’s heart (and while Les struggles to get Mike’s attention in the film, Walley didn’t have this problem in real life. She and Elvis dated several times during filming).

Diana St Clair (Diane McBain) is a man-hungry bestselling author who is researching a book on the perfect American male. She believes she has found him. But Mike’s determination to drive the experimental new car poses a danger to the plans of all three women.

Meanwhile, Howard becomes enamoured of Diana; Foxhugh’s loyal but timid assistant Philip Short (Warren Berlinger) declares his love for Cynthia; and Officer Richards (Will Hutchins) has eyes for Les.

In the end, Mike manages to marry them all off to their different paramours and falls for his replacement drummer, Susan (Dodie Marshall).

The 12-song album of the same title included the fabulous All That I Am and featured a musical curiosity: a version of Bob Dylan‘s Tomorrow Is A Long Time. It was the only Dylan song Presley ever recorded.

The film was shot from 26 February to 6 April 1966, with the racing scenes filmed at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Hidden Valley in Thousand Oaks, and at Malibu Lake in California.

The race itself required 200 extras, 28 supporting actors, 50 cars, and twelve race cars.

The movie was released as California Holiday in some markets.

Mike McCoy
Elvis Presley
Cynthia Foxhugh
Shelley Fabares
Diana St Clair
Diane McBain
Susan
Dodie Marshall
Les
Deborah Walley
Curly
Jack Mullaney
Larry
Jimmy Hawkins
Howard Foxhugh
Carl Betz
Officer Tracy Richards
Will Hutchins
Philip Short
Warren Berlinger
Bernard Ranley
Cecil Kellaway
Violet Ranley
Una Merkel
Blodgett
Frederick Worlock
Harry
Dave Barry

Director
Norman Taurog