Annette Funicello in Bikini Beach (1964)

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Review

Bikini Beach (1964) is the third of the Funicello/Avalon pictures, and probably the second best. A wealthy retirement home owner/newspaper publisher (Keenan Wynn) is out to prove that the surf kids are acting as primitive as his pet ape in an effort to have Bikini Beach closed so he can expand his retirement home. Avalon plays a dual role as Annette's steady, and as British rock sensation Potato Bug (in 1964, the Beatles had started their invasion). Most of the film takes place at a drag strip, and at a club owned by Big Drag (Don Rickles). Boris Karloff had a cameo appearance. Lots of music and slapstick in this one too (part of the formula) including an appearance by a then unknown singer named Stevie Wonder, and a minor hot rod music band called the Pyramids. For those not familiar with the early 60's music scene, it was very fragmented. Classic Rock and Roll, Motown and R & B were on their last legs. Hot Rod Music, Surf Music, Folk Music, and The Beatles were all competing for the teen audience. There was also a small jazz movement, which was kind of a continuation of the 50's Beatniks, who were sort of a predecessor to the hippies of the mid to late 60's and 70's. Within two years, The Beatles were on top, and acid rock was huge. Country was becoming cool in some circles, and Gospel gained in popularity. 1963 through 1968 must be one of the most dynamic periods ever in the popular music scene.

Candy Johnson, who appeared in all 4 of the Beach Party series, accepted a role in the 1972 Mitchell Brothers pioneering porn classic Behind the Green Door. This proved to be a career ending move on her part. This film is not great movie-making, but is a wonderful look at the pre Viet Nam carefree early 60's. Annette shows a little more cleavage here than in Beach party.

Written by: Tuna...courtesy of Scoopy.net