Battle of the Mainee Idols: Elvis versus Bing, crooning "Blue Hawaii"

In 1961, Elvis Presley recorded the title song from the film "Blue Hawaii."

The song was a hit, as was the movie. In the trailer, we see Elvis, shirtless or in floral shirt and swim trunks, wowing the women with his dulcet tones. 

 

But a fully-clothed Bing Crosby in 1935's "Waikiki Wedding" may have outstripped (as it were) the rock and roll superstar. "Blue Hawaii," along with "Sweet Leilani," was from the soundtrack of "Waikiki Wedding."

In the 1930s movie, Bing, accompanied by a good friend and a crew of local musicians, has crept outside the window of the woman he loves, in order to serenade her. 

An audience of island folk think Bing's love song is okay, but nothing to get excited about. 

Bing, having only seen the silhouette of a woman crossing a room, doesn't realize he's accidentally wooing comic actress Martha Raye, who's working late. As the gentle Hawaiian breezes waft Bing's melodious voice through the windows, Raye's character quickly loses her focus. She drops her paperwork, fumbles her way into a chair by sitting on the arm first, then dropping into the seat, and is then transported.

When Bing really begins pouring it on, Raye more or less liquifies. 

In his 1961 surfboarding movie, Elvis Presley could entice a bevy of beauties to crowd into a convertible with him and take surfing lessons up close and personal, but could he cause a human being to melt into her chair just by singing "Blue Hawaii?

Here's Bing Crosby performing the song on a 1954 LP. See what it does for you. 

Before we close for today, here's a clip of Martha Raye (who got bigger billing than Bing, actually) singing and dancing in "Waikiki Wedding."

This arts blog has a nice overview of "Waikiki Wedding," and was the source for the movie poster image.