Frankie Avalon may or may not, but damn Skippy Annette Funicello would, so you know what we're going with:
Wow, how I love this movie! I mean, look at that cast alone! I mean - EARL WILSON!
I kid. I'm a kidder. But really. Harvey Lembeck. Don Rickles. Paul Lynde. And BUSTER KEATON! The poster does miss Timothy Carey, so I'll namecheck him and mention he plays South Dakota Slim: "The name of the game is pool, boobie!" One missing subject is Candy Johnson, who pops up in most of these pictures in fringe covered outfits which she can make move in the most interesting ways. I wish she was in this one. *sigh*
I became a fan of all of the Frankie and Annette flicks when channel KPLR 11 out of St. Louis Missouri would show five of them Monday - Friday during Beach Movie week each summer late night in my youth. I also got to see this one projected (in 16mm, but still) when the local high school rented it to show as a fundraiser. And it remains my fave of the bunch. It's a cinematic slice of life as it never was, and it is certainly a time capsule of its era.
In fact, despite the fact that it repeats some footage - and it could possibly stick the theme song in your head for days - here's a clip of the first few minutes of the movie - I think it actually gives a better idea of the fun and energy in the movie than the trailer does. It also doesn't neglect to mention Timothy Carey.
Several of the Beach Movies reside in the video vault, available to watch anytime. If you happen to come by tonight, though, I'm going to push for this one. You know. Bingo.
Until next time, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!
I love it! I remember watching the Frankie and Annette beach movies on TV. I had forgotten that Paul Lynde and Don Rickles were in the cast. Those guys are hilarious. And Buster Keaton? What a shocker. When I watched it I had no idea who he was.
ReplyDeleteI always thought it was ironic that Annette could never really go swimming because she'd mess up her perfect hair do.
Harvey Lembeck ftw!
ReplyDeleteInteresting choice. I've never seen it, but as a "time capsule" of the 60's, I should check it out. It's almost summer time and I'm in desperate need of some good ol' beach movies!
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