Lately, the universe has been nudging me in a very specific direction: Elvis. I don’t know if it’s cosmic coincidence, cultural nostalgia, or simply the fact that I’ve been spotting his face and music everywhere I turn—but I’ve taken the hint. These past few weeks I’ve been on an Elvis deep dive: watching his films, flipping through biographies, and revisiting the music that made him both an icon and a mystery.
It’s impossible not to be drawn to Elvis’s magnetism. He wasn’t just talented—he was beautiful. Stylish, impossibly confident, and able to wear clothes in a way that no other rock star really could. The man had a gift for turning a pastel western shirt into a moment. And while his movies often get side-eyed for their thin plots, they’re pure gold when it comes to visual inspiration. Gorgeous women in glamorous outfits, wild set designs, and Elvis in costumes that straddle the line between campy and chic—it’s a treasure trove for fashion lovers.
Which brings me to Tickle Me (1965), one of Elvis’s stranger and yet most delightful films.
A Cowboy, a Weight Loss Ranch, and Too Many Bikinis to Count
I stumbled across the trailer for Tickle Me while scrolling through Elvis’s filmography, and the set-up alone made me laugh out loud. The marketing pitches Elvis as a rodeo champion who moonlights as a saloon crooner—a rugged cowboy by day, smoldering singer by night. In reality, he barely rides a horse or a bull at all. Instead, the bulk of the movie takes place at… wait for it… a women’s weight loss ranch.
Yes, you read that correctly. Elvis, surrounded by models and starlets in swimsuits, all of whom are supposedly at this remote desert retreat to shed pounds they very clearly don’t need to lose. It’s explained away as a “celebrity-only” health ranch, but let’s be honest: the premise exists entirely to justify Elvis being the lone rooster in a henhouse of perfect 10s.
And somehow, it works.
Haunted Hotels and Scooby-Doo Shenanigans
Of course, it wouldn’t be a mid-60s Elvis film without some over-the-top plot twists. In Tickle Me, there’s not just romance and ranch hijinks but also a subplot involving buried treasure and a haunted hotel. Picture a dusty Scooby-Doo episode with beautiful extras, and you’re not far off.
It’s campy, it’s nonsensical, and it’s wonderful. Watching Elvis navigate this world of bikini-clad women, spectral apparitions, and treasure hunts is peak guilty-pleasure viewing.
The Fashion (Because Let’s Be Honest, That’s Half the Fun)
If Tickle Me has one enduring legacy, it’s the wardrobe.
- Elvis’s Looks: Throughout the film, he wears pastel western shirts and slim-cut pants in soft shades of peach, mint, and powder blue. These outfits sound costume-y in theory, but Elvis wore them with such ease that they become undeniably stylish. No one has ever made sherbet-colored cowboy clothes look this good.
- Jocelyn Lane’s Wardrobe: Lane, who plays Elvis’s love interest, is as charming as she is fashionable. Two of her standout looks include a pair of chic pajama sets (yes, glamorous sleepwear counts as a style moment here) and a split orange-and-yellow dress that is pure mid-60s magic. That dress alone could inspire a whole mood board.
- Accessories & Extras: Even the Jeeps at the ranch get in on the pastel action, painted in candy colors that match the wardrobe. It’s all so aesthetically consistent that you can’t help but appreciate the accidental artistry.
The fashion in Tickle Me isn’t subtle—it’s playful, kitschy, and completely of its era. But that’s exactly what makes it so inspiring.
A Quick Production Note
Part of the film’s backstory adds another layer of intrigue. Elvis made Tickle Me in a hurry to help cover some tax debts to the IRS. And yes, it shows—this isn’t the most polished or ambitious film in his catalog. But in some ways, that looseness adds to its charm. It feels unpretentious, made with the simple goal of delivering some music, some laughs, and plenty of pretty things to look at. Mission accomplished.
Musical Highlights
No Elvis film would be complete without the music, and while Tickle Me is light on plot, it’s rich in performance. One of the most memorable moments comes early on when Elvis sings in a saloon, sending every woman in the room into a frenzy while their male companions fume with jealousy. It’s classic Presley: charismatic, confident, and irresistible. Every musical interlude feels like a reminder that, even in a fluffy comedy, he was still a once-in-a-lifetime performer.
Why Tickle Me Works
So why does this film, which by all accounts was a quick cash-grab, still feel so fun? Because it doesn’t try too hard. The premise is absurd in the best possible way, the fashion is top-notch, and Elvis fully leans into his persona as the heartthrob who can’t walk into a room without turning heads.
Sometimes, that’s all a movie needs to be.
Where to Watch
If you’re curious (and you should be), Tickle Me is available to rent on iTunes or Amazon. Grab a bowl of popcorn, embrace the absurdity, and prepare to be charmed.
Because honestly, what could be more delightful than Elvis Presley running a weight loss ranch for models, dodging ghosts, hunting treasure, and looking flawless in pastel western wear?
