This film was the big one that put Seattle on the map as a destination for film production. With the star power of Elvis, it also was a boon for the Century 21 Exposition (aka 1962 World's Fair), as it brought out scores of people who just wanted to catch a glance of The King.
Surprisingly, much of the film was actually shot in studios in Los Angeles - where the main actors were combined via "process" shots with footage shot in Seattle. Some entire locations were built as sets, including the mobile home park where Elvis' character Mike temporarily lives in the film. Still, this film is a great time capsule of Seattle in the 1960s - especially since much of the fairgrounds (now the Seattle Center) has changed greatly over the years.
Mike and his buddy Danny (Gary Lockwood) hop a ride into town with a small girl named Sue-Lin (Vicky Tiu) in the back of her uncle's truck. In one memorable shot, they are seen driving north on 284th Avenue SE (just south of SE 464th St.) near Enumclaw with Mount Rainier towering in the distance (thanks to Mike H).
In one shot, they are seen passing under a distinctive wooden railroad trestle. Despite local folklore, this is NOT the Wilburton Trestle in Bellevue but instead the old Northern Pacific Railway Bridge over the White River between Enumclaw and Buckley. Unfortunately, this giant landmark has since been demolished, but you can still find the road they traveled - Southeast Mud Mountain Road near where it meets Enumclaw Buckley Road/Highway 410 (thanks to Arthur A. for the correction!).
The truck ride comes to an end outside what is now the Gap store at 1520 5th Ave.
The monorail station is at 5th & Pine, between Nordstrom's & Westlake Mall. Back then, there was an outdoor ramp going up there but today you must go into the mall.
Mike & Sue-Lin get off the monorail at the Seattle Center Station and walk down the ramp on the south side.
They look down at the rides in "Gayway," most recently the Fun Forest Pavilion. Today, all of these rides have been removed.
Mike then takes Sue-Lin on a stroll through Gayway where they eat enough junk food to make her sick.
Mike & Sue-Lin visit the "World of Century 21" exhibit in the Coliseum (now Key Arena). The car on display is GM's Firebird III prototype, which is still shown in car shows. The exterior of the arena is seen later, when Mike returns at night to find Sue-Lin hiding in the car.
Mike & Sue-Lin head to the front entrance of the Federal Science Pavilion, now the Pacific Science Center.
Here they view the Water Works fountain in the central courtyard. This area is still nearly unchanged today. Later, they return in a chase with the policemen.
Once Elvis meets his love interest for the film, Diane (Joan O'Brien), she takes him on a pedicycle ride past the Mural Theater (which is still there) and the Bell Pavilion (which is not).
Diane then suggests a trip to the Space Needle's restaurant to get Mike something to drink (what, there's nothing on the ground?), so they take the elevator up (the shot inside the elevator is another process shot).
Once up there, Mike uses the opportunity to try to seduce her one more time by singing. The restaurant interiors were all built as a set - almost convincing until you realize the background is not moving, just the windows!
The big climax of the film where Mike sings "Happy Ending" while walking with Diane & a marching band was filmed in front of the Coliseum (now Key Arena) and the International Fountain in Seattle Center.
Researching the locations for this film made me curious about the history of Century 21 and which buildings from the fair still exist. Check out the sister-site I created for this project!
Google Map
(see attachment below)