Speedway (1968)

A NASCAR racing driver (Elvis Presley) bails friends and acquaintances out of financial hardship. Unfortunately, his business manager (Bill Bixby) is a compulsive gambler and has mismanaged the driver's income. Enter the Internal Revenue Service in the form of an agent (Nancy Sinatra). Directed by Norman Taurog (BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940). After KID GALAHAD (1962), Presley pretty much gave up on dramatic acting and SPEEDWAY remains a typical example of the Elvis formulaic movies that followed. It's the usual mixture of pretty girls, inane comedy, a handful of songs whipped together and presto! An Elvis movie! Outside of GRAND PRIX (1966), racing movies hold no interest for me so I found the movie on the tedious side. On the plus side, the choreography by Alex Romero is lively and Presley lets his leading lady (Sinatra) do a song of her own as well as a duet with him. With Gale Gordon and William Schallert.