A family from rural Georgia finds themselves stranded without gas on the northwest coast of the Florida peninsula and decides to start a homestead there. They encounter frustrating government officials and gangsters who operate an illegal gambling operation out of a mobile setup. Elvis Presley, Anne Helm, Arthur O'Connell, Simon Oakland, and Joanna Moore appear in the film. “Follow That Dream,” made in 1962, was the ninth of the thirty-one movies Elvis Presley starred in. I initially disliked it because the story seemed ridiculous. However, after revisiting it years later, I found myself appreciating it more, mainly because (1) it wasn’t meant to be taken seriously and (2) despite its farcical nature, the movie offers some insights into homesteading and how civilization, government, laws, and criminal activity develop alongside it. The film also provides an interesting look at the innocence and kindness of people living in rural areas compared to the corruption found in larger cities. Though “Deliverance” (1972) would later significantly alter this viewpoint, "Follow That Dream" feels more accurate to life. Anne Helm is easily among the best female co-stars Elvis ever had, alongside Ann-Margret in “Viva Las Vegas” (1964) and Michele Carey in “Live a Little, Love a Little” (1968). She’s charming overall and looks great in jeans. Although the movie runs long at an hour and forty-nine minutes, I didn't find it bothersome. It was filmed entirely in Florida, in locations like Crystal River, Inverness, Yankeetown, and Ocala. GRADE: B-/B

Source on TMDB