Clambake

Clambake

Year: 1967

Runtime: 99 mins

Language: English

Director: Arthur H. Nadel

RomanceMusicComedySong and danceCatchy songs and hilarious musical comedy

Elvis Presley plays an oil heir who, tired of being pursued for his family’s wealth, switches places with a charismatic water‑ski instructor at a swanky Florida resort. The resulting comedy has him racing on a bike, causing bikini‑clad mayhem, and belting out wild numbers while trying to win a girl’s affection on his own merits.

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Timeline & Setting – Clambake (1967)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Clambake (1967). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

The story unfolds in the 1960s, an era of bright fashion, celebrity culture, and coastal leisure. Its lighthearted tone mirrors the era's preference for spectacle and easygoing hustles. The presence of luxury cars and resort settings reinforces the period's mood.

Location

Florida, Miami

Florida serves as a sun-drenched playground for the film, with beaches and hotels shaping the characters' escape from ordinary life. The action centers around a Miami hotel and the Orange Bowl Race, anchoring the story in a resort atmosphere. The setting's warm climate and coastal culture invite leisure, schemes, and quick identity swaps.

🏖️ Beach city 🚤 Water sports 🌞 Sunny climate

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:20

Main Characters – Clambake (1967)

Meet the key characters of Clambake (1967), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Scott Hayward (Elvis Presley)

Scott Hayward is a wealthy heir who longs to escape his father's expectations. He disguises himself by taking on the identity of an ordinary water-skiing instructor, seeking authenticity beyond wealth. His charm and daring mask a deeper curiosity about who he is when not defined by money.

🎭 Identity 💼 Wealth 🌟 Charisma

Dianne Carter (Shelley Fabares)

Dianne Carter is a hotel guest who pursues a wealthy match, presenting herself as a gold-digger to secure Jamison's fortune. Her schemes reveal a blend of savvy ambition and conflicted feelings as she weighs authenticity against social climbing. Her evolving attraction to Scott complicates her original plan.

💘 Romance 🪙 Wealth 🎭 Deception

Tom Wilson (Will Hutchins)

Tom Wilson is a water-skier instructor heading to a Miami hotel, who becomes the vehicle for Scott's disguise. He enjoys the experience of playing the role of a wealthy guest and helps advance the plan, all while staying pragmatic and friendly.

🏄‍♂️ Water sports 🤝 Friendship 🎭 Identity

James J. Jamison III (Bill Bixby)

James J. Jamison III is a wealthy young playboy who aims to win both a race and a bride. Arrogant and confident, he believes he will secure victory and the heart of Dianne. His persona contrasts with Scott's disguised humility, highlighting the hollowness of wealth without depth.

💎 Wealth 🎯 Ambition 🤵 Elite

Duster Hayward (James Gregory)

Duster Hayward is a billionaire oil tycoon who is proud of his son's pursuits and ultimately supports his ventures. His presence anchors the family wealth dynamic and reveals a complicated pride in his heir's experiments.

💼 Wealth 👨‍👦 Family 🤝 Pride

Sam Burton (Gary Merrill)

Sam Burton is a boat builder who lets Scott borrow Rawhide and helps with the boat's reconstruction, enabling the Orange Bowl Race. He embodies practical craft and collaboration, bridging ambition with real-world know-how.

🛠️ Craftsmanship 🚤 Boats 🤝 Collaboration

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:20

Major Themes – Clambake (1967)

Explore the central themes of Clambake (1967), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🪪 Identity

Scott Hayward disguises himself as a working- class man named Tom Wilson to see how people respond to him without wealth. The switch challenges assumptions about status and exposes how appearances shape relationships. The journey explores authenticity, personal growth, and the difference between surface image and true self.

💘 Romance

Scott's deception leads to a blossoming romance with Dianne Carter, who initially pursues wealth as a gold-digging plan. The relationship tests trust and honesty, revealing genuine feeling behind flirtation and schemes. The resolution shows love emerging when truth is finally revealed.

🧪 Innovation

The goop coating on the Rawhide boat represents risky, high-stakes innovation as a last-minute fix for performance. The story frames ingenuity as a bold push forward that can pay off, but also risks failure if not properly tested or trusted. Family pride and ambition intersect with technical ambition.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:20

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Clambake Summary

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Clambake Summary

Clambake Timeline

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Clambake Timeline

More About Clambake

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Clambake (1967) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Clambake (1967) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Clambake (1967) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow