The 10 Aug 1964 DV reported that the upcoming Allied Artists Pictures Corporation (AA) production would take place at Paramount Studios in Oct 1964, with possible location shooting in Arizona. Star Elvis Presley, who signed a “one-picture deal” with AA, was expected to perform as many as twelve songs in the film. Principal photography began 12 Oct 1964, as reported two days later in Var.
       The 8 Oct 1964 LAT attributed the title to Presley’s manager, “Colonel” Tom Parker, who reportedly had a stake in the production. The article also claimed that producer Ben Schwalb cast model Jocelyn Lane after seeing her photograph in a magazine. According to the 11 Nov 1964 Var, Tickle Me was Schwalb’s fiftieth and final picture for AA. He went into independent production the following year.
       A news item in the 22 Sep 1964 DV noted that choreographer David Winters was dividing his working hours between the film and his weekly television show, Shindig! (ABC, 16 Sep 1964--8 Jan 1966). On 21 Oct 1964, however, DV stated that Winters quit the program to devote his attention to the film.
       The 6 Nov 1964 DV reported that production was completed three days earlier, in keeping with the planned twenty-two-day shooting schedule. Composer Walter Scharf began recording the musical score with a fifty-piece orchestra on 31 Dec 1964, as noted in that day’s DV.
       According to the 19 May 1965 Var, AA publicist Harry Goldstein was planning a “saturation” campaign for the 3 Jun 1965 premiere in Atlanta, GA. Tickle Me opened 23 Jun 1965 in New York City, and on 14 Jul 1965 in Los Angeles, CA. Reviews were not enthusiastic, although the 16 Jul 1965 LAT commended Norman Taurog for his ability to overcome “low budget and trite material.”
       The 23 Jun 1965 Var revealed that AA, which had suffered recent losses of $1,512,000 and a $4 million reduction in gross income, was gambling on the film to remedy its financial troubles. On 28 Jul 1965, Var reported earnings of $1,028,000, with anticipated rentals of at least $3 million, and projected gross receipts of nearly $5 million, making Tickle Me the third most successful release in the company’s history. Months later, the 4 Mar 1966 LAT reported that readers of the trade magazine, Independent Film Journal, included the picture among the ten most profitable releases of 1965. Presley’s performance won him a 1966 Laurel Award.
       A news brief in the 11 Nov 1964 DV noted that the soundtrack album contained no new material, but was instead comprised of nine songs recorded by Presley over the previous three years. An additional track, “Blue Christmas,” was recorded in 1957.