When Elvis Presley lit up the screen with his famous hip movements, audiences were mesmerized. But when Ursula Andress joined him in Fun in Acapulco, fresh from her star-making role in Dr. No, things got even more electric. Their chemistry on screen was obvious—but what really happened when the cameras weren’t rolling?
Fun in Acapulco was the highest-earning musical of 1963, and with good reason. Elvis brought his usual charisma and musical magic, while Ursula was the epitome of elegance and allure. The film was released just after the tragic assassination of President John F. Kennedy, offering a bit of escapism during a dark time. With songs like “Bossa Nova Baby” climbing the charts, the movie cemented itself as a fan favorite. While the storyline wasn’t groundbreaking, Elvis’ presence and voice made it unforgettable—and the connection between him and Ursula sparked plenty of behind-the-scenes whispers.
Ursula Andress was the definition of a rising star at the time, playing Marguerita Dauphin in the movie. At first, she was cautious around Elvis due to his tabloid reputation. But that soon changed. She later confessed to being completely charmed by him from the moment they met, describing Elvis as surprisingly gentle, kind, and full of warmth—a far cry from the cocky rocker she expected.
Usually, Elvis was the one doing the chasing on set, but not this time. According to Sonny West, a close member of Elvis’ inner circle, Ursula was the one making moves. “She went after him. She wanted him bad,” West revealed, suggesting their closeness was no secret.
So, did sparks fly off-screen too? While there were plenty of rumors swirling about a potential romance, those close to Elvis say nothing actually happened. Surprisingly, he wasn’t as taken with Ursula’s looks as the public might have guessed. Some said he wasn’t drawn to her because she didn’t fit his usual type—Elvis liked petite women, and Ursula’s athletic frame didn’t appeal to him. Still, he was curious about her, partly because she had once dated James Dean, someone Elvis greatly admired.
But it wasn’t just personal taste that held Elvis back. He had a strict rule: never get involved with married women. Ursula was still tied to actor John Derek, and Elvis was hoping to rekindle his relationship with Priscilla Presley. To make things even more awkward, John Derek was known to hover around set, keeping a watchful eye on his wife. Elvis, trying to steer clear of drama, even asked his friends not to leave him alone with her. “Not with John Derek glaring at me,” he reportedly said. “I’d be crazy to even start a conversation.”
In her memoir Elvis and Me, Priscilla Presley recalled Elvis mocking Ursula’s appearance. He told her Ursula had a body like a man and broad shoulders that made him feel insecure. “I was embarrassed to take my shirt off next to her,” he joked. For someone considered one of the most beautiful women in the world, that was quite a statement.
Despite her bombshell status, Ursula had to tone things down for the film. She complained that she wasn’t allowed to wear a proper bikini and was instead given a frilly swimsuit and a hair ribbon to appear more modest—likely to protect Elvis’ image with his younger fans. It was a far cry from her iconic beach scene in Dr. No.
What many don’t realize is that Elvis never set foot in Acapulco during filming. All of his scenes were shot at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. The reason? He wasn’t allowed into Mexico. A rumor that he had insulted Mexican women years earlier made him persona non grata in the country, though that story was likely made up by a politician angry over Elvis refusing a private concert request. Regardless, the ban stuck, and a stunt double handled all the location shots.
Even his outfits in the film caused some fuss. Elvis hated the casual short-sleeved shirt he wore during the “Marguerita” number, saying it wasn’t his style. But since his double had already worn it in an earlier scene, he had no choice. Still, he did love the more dramatic costumes and asked to keep some of the flamenco-style pieces, including a red and navy cummerbund and silk shirts.
There’s a fun little moment in the film when Elvis’ character tries to order margaritas and clearly has no idea what they are. He plays it off smoothly, but the drinks they’re served don’t resemble margaritas at all—just coupe glasses filled with clear liquid, with salt on the rim and a straw. Not exactly what we’d expect today.
One of the movie’s big stunts—the daring cliff dive—wasn’t performed by Elvis either. A professional stuntman took the plunge from 136 feet, while Elvis did handle some of his own trapeze work. That particular scene was saved for the last day of filming, just in case something went wrong. There was also a humorous moment during filming when, after the dive scene, Elvis was lifted onto the shoulders of locals—and one of them got a little too handsy. After several retakes and growing discomfort, the overexcited extra was finally replaced.
And, of course, Elvis’ hair stayed perfect through all the water scenes. Not a strand out of place—just one of those little bits of Hollywood magic.
Several familiar faces popped up in the movie too. Darlene Tompkins, who played a teenage girl in Blue Hawaii, returned for a small role. Linda Rivera, seen briefly in Loving You, played a hotel clerk. Howard McNear made yet another Elvis film appearance. And a young Teri Garr, who would later have a successful acting career, appeared as an extra. Sadly, she passed away in 2024 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.
One photo from the set has sparked plenty of speculation. It shows Elvis dressed head-to-toe in black—long sleeves, long pants—on a sunny beach in Mexico. Only Elvis could pull that off and still look cool. It doesn’t confirm any romance rumors, but it definitely adds to the mystique.
Fun in Acapulco marked the end of an era. It was Elvis’ final movie before the Beatles exploded onto the American music scene. Interestingly, the Beatles themselves were fans of the film, even catching it at a Florida drive-in theater after their first U.S. tour. It was a symbolic crossover, showing how pop culture was shifting, with new stars rising while legends like Elvis still held their ground.
So, the next time you watch Fun in Acapulco, remember that it’s more than just a fun musical. It’s a snapshot of a unique moment in history—where Elvis, Ursula, and even the Beatles collided, and where Hollywood glamour, hidden romances, and cultural shifts all danced under the sun.
