The production was not without its behind-the-scenes friction, particularly regarding director George Sidney. Elvis was reportedly unhappy with Sidney’s directing style, believing that the camera angles and editing were intentionally skewed to favor Ann-Margret’s performance and physical presence over his own. At just 22 years old, Ann-Margret’s star power was so immense that several theaters actually billed her above Elvis, an almost unheard-of occurrence during the peak of his cinematic fame. This competitive tension fueled the movie’s energy, creating a dynamic where both stars were forced to deliver their most charismatic performances to date.
Long after the cameras stopped rolling, the legacy of Viva Las Vegas was preserved through the enduring friendship of its leads. While their romance was complicated by Elvis’s commitment to Priscilla, Ann-Margret later shared that Elvis had expressed a desire to marry her during their time together. Despite the end of their romantic involvement, they remained close confidantes until Elvis’s death in 1977. Ann-Margret was notably the only female co-star to attend his funeral, a final testament to a bond formed among the now-vanished landmarks of 1960s Las Vegas.
