Stay Away, Joe (1968)

SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Having watched all of Elvis's movies, towards the end you tend to know the quality of what you're getting into. For the most part, even the bad ones tend to fall into the 'So bad they're good' category. However, I didn't feel that way about 'Double Trouble', and then got an even worse dose of bad with Stay Away Joe.This film is, frankly, god awful. This is a film that should only be shared on movie night with your worst enemy. The first 40 minutes seem to be full of people told to 'project' how much fun their having by screaming and shouting extra loudly as much as they can, especially during the never-ending party scene, which drags on and on. If you appreciate your hearing, turn to movie down for the first half of the movie, you won't be missing much, but your ears will thank you.I'm not even going to get into Burgress Meredith in dark makeup grinning creepily as one of the supposed American Indians. I get that this is a product of it's time, but it's all done in an incredibly awkward and cringe inducing way. If you happen to be Native American, don't watch this, it's offensive on at least 546 levels.By all means watch most of Elvis's films. Some are really good, with classic songs. Some are so bad, they're good. Stay Away Joe is sadly, quite possibly one of the worst films made...ever.

When movie makers film a comedy, it is imperative that the audience is laughing at the jokes, not at the movie. That is what happens here in this outlandish farce where the performers of a rodeo unwittingly slaughter and barbecue their prize bull at a drunken fiesta. If you can swallow that, then try the bull of Elvis Presley as a Native American. Burgess Meredith adds another bizarre performance to his many, especially those directed by Otto Preminger. Katy Jurado takes Bette Davis's wig from "Beyond the Forest", and includes some of her mannerisms as well (with a Mexican accent), but there are some generally amusing moments with Joan Blondell as a gun-toting diner owner intent on keeping Elvis's pelvis off of her daughter unless a wedding ring is included. A bizarre musical number chooses a chicken coop as its location, and comedy montages seem straight off of Saturday morning cartoons. This tries to have a hip feeling to it (minus the LSD) but this hip needs some cortisone.

A squashy slapstick mess posing as a comedy. Elvis Presley plays an Indian bull-riding champ who leaves the rodeo for a stay at home on his folks' desert-spread in Arizona, where government suits have just invested in the family's herd of cattle (which is in dire need of a stud). What director Peter Tewksbury is in dire need of is some narrative skills, though what he lacks in assessment he makes up for in sloppy comedic montages (his social commentary isn't exactly pointed, but Tewksbury does have a satiric bend to his outlandishness and there are some funny scenes). Despite colorful supporting turns by Katy Jurado and Joan Blondell, the general wackiness gets way out of hand, and there's too much hoopin' and hollerin' to sustain much interest. As for Elvis, he's loose and frisky throughout--and while it's nice to see him having fun on-screen, one has to wonder if he had just given up on movies at this point. This shambles of a picture has a distinct what-the-hell feel to it, and though spirits are high, the returns are mostly low. *1/2 from ****

Elvis Presley plays a "half-breed" Native American ("Indian") who has to defend his reservation from nasty business tycoons. Everyone likes to get drunk, fight, and make children. Fighting, wrestling, and "punching out" each other replace the stereotypical hand-raised expression "How"?Although he does have make-up on, it's obvious Elvis is healthier than he appeared in prior films; possibly, he was getting ready for his famous "comeback". It couldn't have been because this movie's script was anything to get excited about. Joan Blondell trying to seduce Elvis, and Burgess Meredith in "war paint", should be ashamed.The best song is "Stay Away" (actually, "Green Sleeves" with different lyrics). The most embarrassing song is Elvis' love song to the bull "Dominic". There are some surreal scenes, but it never becomes trippy enough to succeed in that genre; though, "Stay Away, Joe" might provide some laughs if you're in the right "mood".Otherwise, stay away. ** Stay Away, Joe (3/8/68) Peter Tewksbury ~ Elvis Presley, Burgess Meredith, Joan Blondell