59 years ago, Elvis Presley starred in the film Fun in Acapulco, a time when the Mexican tourist destination was experiencing international fervor. This movie, featuring the “King of Rock & Roll,” also starred Mexican actress Elsa Cárdenas. Cárdenas, now 89, has shared that she had a romance with Presley during the filming of this iconic movie.
Despite the film’s title, it was not shot on the beaches of Guerrero, Mexico, but rather in a Hollywood studio. It is believed that Elvis Presley never set foot in Mexico due to a rumor that circulated in 1957. The rumor falsely attributed a statement to Presley, suggesting he preferred “kissing three black women over one Mexican woman.” This alleged comment, though repeatedly denied, caused discontent in Mexico, leading to a temporary ban on his music and films.
Recounting her time with Presley, Elsa Cárdenas shared in an NBC documentary about the 1963 film, directed by Richard Thorpe: “The first thing he told me was that I was a very pretty girl, and I loved it. ‘You too,’ I replied.”
Elsa Cárdenas, born in Tijuana in 1935, had a notable career in both the Mexican and American film industries. She explained that during their rumored romance, Presley had not yet married Priscilla Beaulieu, who is considered the great love of his life. “We all knew about it, and there was no problem because there was nothing [serious] yet; he wasn’t married or anything… You know, you’re young and beautiful, and you’re chosen for a film with one of the biggest teen idols of that time. Imagine!” the actress explained.
Cárdenas, who was part of Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema as well as classic Hollywood, had a secret romance with the rock and roll superstar. Presley was reportedly captivated by her beauty and even attempted to speak Spanish to foster a closer connection.
“He was famous all over the world, and in Latin America, he had so many fans. So they decided to spread this little rumor (about racism) so that he wouldn’t have as many, and so that he wouldn’t be as loved in Latin America as he was everywhere else. But we made this film, Fun in Acapulco, and he told me that he would never do that, that it was the opposite, and I truly believe it was true,” Cárdenas told Raúl Velasco in the 1980s on his program Siempre en domingo.
Cárdenas confessed that she fell in love with the singer and detailed how Elvis tried to speak Spanish. She described Elvis as a chivalrous, attentive, and playful person who even bought ice cream for the entire production crew during filming.
Fun in Acapulco was filmed on a soundstage at Hollywood 55. “He loved Mexican music. He spoke broken Spanish, choppy, as best he could, but he tried very hard, and he loved everything Mexican. So I was lucky to be with him,” said the actress, who also shared the screen with stars like James Dean, Rock Hudson, and Elizabeth Taylor.
The actress recalled, “When I met him, he was a very nice person. I think he changed later. He was a very healthy person; he took great care of himself. He was always telling jokes, playing with everyone, with his co-workers, the staff, the makeup artists. He would send us gifts, he would always send us ice cream cones for everyone. For example, we’d finish lunch, and suddenly one of the guys who helped him would arrive… with ice cream cones. We ate ice cream almost every day, but he really watched his figure. I think he didn’t eat [food] and just ate the ice cream cone.”
Elvis Presley’s involvement in Fun in Acapulco, alongside his interactions with Elsa Cárdenas, offers a glimpse into the singer’s life beyond the stage. Cárdenas’s recollections provide a personal perspective on Presley’s charm and his genuine interest in Mexican culture, despite the controversies that sometimes surrounded him. The enduring appeal of “Oldies music” like that featured in Fun in Acapulco continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, offering a nostalgic connection to a bygone era of music and film. Explore more of these timeless melodies and discover the rich cultural tapestry they represent.