The 14 Jul 1965 DV announced singer Elvis Presley’s next film as Hawaiian Paradise, to be filmed on location in Honolulu, Oahu, HI. On 23 Jul 1965 DV reported that principal photography would begin 27 Jul 1965, with members of the cast and crew arriving on location over the next ten days. According to the 27 Jul 1965 DV, Presley began recording ten songs for the film the previous day, accompanied by The Jordanaires, a vocal group comprised of Gordon Stoker, Neal Matthews, Ray Sanders, and Hoyt Hawkins.
       As reported in the 3 Aug 1965 DV, production manager Robert Goodstein won a concession from the Hawaiian Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, allowing the company to count only the hours child actors appeared on set, while discounting those spent waiting for a “camera call.” The same concession was given to the producers of Hawaii (1966, see entry), which was filming elsewhere on the island. Both productions reportedly encountered difficulty hiring child actors due to state labor laws that restricted working hours for juveniles.
       The 9 Aug 1965 LAT claimed that veteran character actor Grady Sutton was disappointed over having to remain in Los Angeles, CA, while a stand-in played his scenes on location. Sutton completed his role later that month at Paramount Studios. Later that week, the 13 Aug 1965 DV reported that composer Joseph J. Lilley arrived on Oahu to supervise two production numbers featuring Presley and “200 native dancers.”
       As stated in the 18 Aug 1965 LAT, several scenes were also filmed at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, HI, on the northwest side of the island. According to the 26 Aug 1965 LAT, production in Laie lasted two weeks, during which Presley was ensconced in a guarded hotel suite. After location shooting was completed, Presley’s manager, Col. Tom Parker, allowed 500 fans to file through the suite for the singer’s autograph. A private event was held later that day, during which Presley was given a personal farewell by 150 young women representing the Maori, Tonga, Fiji, Samoan, Tahitian, and Hawaiian cultures. All had reportedly appeared in scenes filmed at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The 24 Aug 1965 DV announced the 22 Aug 1965 completion of location filming. Production later resumed in Los Angeles.
       On 8 Sep 1965, DV announced Paradise, Hawaiian Style as the new title. Associate producer Paul Nathan was returning to the set following a week in the hospital for treatment of a “muscle spasm.” The 22 Sep 1965 DV stated that actress Julie Parrish was also hospitalized, although her condition was not disclosed. Seven days later, production ended with a party sponsored by producer Hal Wallis, as reported in the 30 Sep 1965 DV.
       On 29 Nov 1965, DV noted that Joseph J. Lilley would begin recording the film’s score with his forty-five-piece orchestra.
       Paradise—Hawaiian Style opened 15 Jun 1966 in New York City. Critical response was lukewarm, with the 16 Jun 1966 NYT comparing it to formulaic 1930s program films starring Bing Crosby. Regardless, Seventeen magazine declared it “Picture of the Month,” and the 6 Jul 1966 DV projected earnings of $120,000 for its opening week at twenty-nine Los Angeles theaters. By the end of 1966, the film made $2.5 million in rentals, with projected earning of $3.2 million, as noted in the 4 Jan 1967 Var.
       Casting announcements during the course of production included Playboy magazine model China Lee (1 Sep 1965 DV), Anne Morell (27 Aug 1965 DV), and Lisa Seagram (7 Sep 1965 DV). A news item in the 8 Sep 1965 LAT noted that the picture marked the singing debut of actress Marianna Hill.
       “Film Assignments” in the 30 Jul 1965 DV listed the following crewmembers: Nat Holt and Robert Templeton , assistant directors; Lennie South , camera operator; Gene Liggett and Dewey Wrigley, assistants; Richard Cook, recorder; Bud Parman, boom; Bob McCrillis, props; Herb Welts, and Douglas Cook, grips; Loren Netten , gaffer; Bud Kirkpatrick, best boy; Grace Harris and John Anderson: wardrobe; Gary Morris, makeup; Sherri Wilson, hairdresser; Marvin Weldon, script supervisor.