THE SLENDER THREAD (1965)

Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft shared top billing in THE SLENDER THREAD, but they never share any screen time together in the entire film. Instead, Poitier and Bancroft interacted on the screen through live phone conversations. Bancroft conversed from her dressing room to Poitier on the set.

PLOT SYNOPSIS (Spoilers Alert !!!!)

The film's opening sequence follows Allan Newell (Sidney Poitier), a college student studying PSYCHOLOGY dashing off by bicycle than by automobile to get to his next pressing engagement. It seems that Alan VOLUNTEERS once a week at a Crisis Call Center for Dr.Joe Coburn (Telly Savalas). Tonight is going to be Alan's first time alone at the Crisis Call Center.  Dr. Colburn has all the confidence in Alan to man the phones by himself. If a crisis occurs, Dr. Colburn can be reached at home, where he is spending quality time with his family.

As soon as everyone had left the Seattle Crisis Clinic, all hell breaks loose. Alan receives a PHONE CALL from a MYSTERIOUS CALLER (Anne Bancroft) who needs to speak to someone. The Caller sounds LONELY  and DESPERATE and on brink of doing something DRASTIC. Alan tries to coax the MYSTERIOUS  CALLER into revealing her name.  As the conversation progresses, Alan learns that the MYSTERIOUS CALLER has taken a handful of BARBITUATES and is CHECKING OUT.

Alan becomes ANXIOUS that he may not be able to handle such a GRAVE CRISIS. Just before the MYSTERIOUS CALLER attempts to sign off, Alan turns the tables informing her that he needs to talk. Alan INFORMS the MYSTERIOUS CALLER  that he is NOT a PSYCHARTRIST, he's a College Student that volunteers at the crisis center once a week. He expresses his regret that she had to choose him in the most important of her life.

Now, that the SITUATION has become DIRE, Alan makes a pretense to the MYSTERIOUS CALLER about getting some coffee. Keeping the line open, Alan goes on another line to have the call TRACED by the phone company and to alert the police of SUICIDE. Alan also INFORMS the operator that he needs Dr. Colburn to come back to the clinic.

The MYSTERIOUS CALLER accidentally reveals her name as Inga when she began to confess what drove to the point to take her own life. Inga starts to unfold the events that led to her HOPELESS situation. It all began when Inga returned home from grocery shopping, finding her husband Mark in despair. Inga learns that Mark opened a letter that was addressed to their son Chris. Inside the letter was a check for $250.00 from Chris's biological father who had passed away. Inga tries to explain that AFFAIR happened before they were MARRIED. Mark became outraged for being lied to all these years, raising another man's baby as his own for 12 years.

After her husband leaves her, Inga heads to the OCEAN  to DROWN herself. Fortunately, she wasn't alone on the beach, a young couple spotted her walking into the surf. Inga treaded further and further until she SUBMERGED herself underwater. Inga wakes up in the hospital still alive to face her problems once again. Mark shows up at her bedside but still hasn't forgiven her. Inga tries to explain that nobody need knows that Mark is not Chris's real father not even Chris.

At last, Dr. Coburn arrives at the Crisis Clinic to assist Alan with Inga. Keeping Inga on the line is the main objective for the phone company can TRACE her call. Alan is informed that Inga's respiration is going down. He begins to implore Inga to tell him her whereabouts for she will be DEAD in 30 minutes. Inga still refuses and delighted with the news.

Inga once again began to UNLOAD her BURDEN. She continued to add that Mark did make an attempt to save their marriage. But once in the BEDROOM, Mark was unable to become INTIMATE. Inga knew right then, that her marriage may not recover. Not even, Inga's new sexy nightgown could bring out the BEAST in Mark. This was the final straw, Inga could not live with herself any longer.

Inga continues revealing the incidents that led to her to SPIRAL down the rabbit hole. Inga claims that she went back to the same hospital that treated for her first suicide attempt. She DESPERATELY needed someone to help her understand what was happening to her. But Inga was told by the On-Call Psychian that she may have to be COMMITTED  to receive the proper treatment. Inga wasn't sure if she wanted to be around CRAZY PEOPLE so she opts to leave the emergency room.

Later, Inga finds herself in a hotel room SWALLOWING a HANDFUL of PILLS. Afterward, she finds an advertisement in the newspaper about the Crisis Center and decides to call. Finally, Inga reaches someone that she can talk to.

After Inga finished her BACKSTORY, Alan decides to use the TOUGH LOVE tactic by yelling at her "GO ahead baby, go ahead and die!!"Dr. Colburn was BEWILDERED by Alan's unorthodox approach that could ALIENATE Inga. Alan then went a bit further by THREATENING to HANG UP the phone. Dr. Coburn quickly INTERVENES trying to grab the phone from Alan. Suddenly on the other end of the receiver, Inga begs Alan to stay on the phone. 

Good News has arrived, the whereabouts of Mrs. Inga Dyson has been established. She is at the Hyatt House Hotel, but the problem is the hotel has 200 rooms. And apparently, Inga REGISTERED under ASSUMED NAME. The countdown begins Inga has only 8 minutes to live. Alan tries DESPERATELY to find the name Inga registered under and room number. Sadly, Inga doesn't remember the ASSUMED NAME but tries to UTTER the room, but FALLS off the bed onto the floor UNCONSCIOUS.

Mark Dyson arrives at the Crisis Center and tries to get his wife to RESPOND to his VOICE on the phone. No response, apparently Inga has CHECKED OUT.  Afterward, the Crisis Center was filled with DEAD silence. Then a voice from one of the responding Police Officers came over the receiver saying that they found Mrs. Dyson and she is STILL BREATHING. A sigh of relief came over everyone at the Crisis Clinic including Mark Dyson.

Dr. Coburn PRAISED Alan for saving Inga's life. He also added that Alan is more than capable manning the Crisis Center alone when he was away. Before leaving to go to the hospital to check on Mrs. Dyson, Dr. Colburn asks Alan if he wanted to meet his MYSTERIOUS CALLER. Alan grins and says NO. As the finale closing in, Alan BANGS on his CHEST let lose a TARZAN YELL in TRIUMPH.
 

FILM FACTS :

 THE SLENDER THREAD (1965) was originally called CROSS MY HEART AND HOPE TO DIE with Elizabeth Ashley as Inga Dyson. Due to a contract dispute, Ashley was forced to drop out of the project and Ms. Bancroft was cast to replace her.

Edith Head was nominated for Academy Award for her Costume Design for Anne Bancroft in THE SLENDER THREAD (1965).

THE SLENDER THREAD (1965) performed poorly at the box office and received mediocre reviews upon its release.

 THE SLENDER THREAD (1965) was Sydney Pollack 's first Big Screen Fim debut. 

 THE SLENDER THREAD (1964) is based on a short story based on a real incident called "Decision to Die"  from the May 29,1964 issue of LIFE Magazine.

Quincy Jones composed the music to the soundtrack to THE SLENDER THREAD (1965)

IMMORTAL DIALOGUE : 

" I want to TALK to you. I meant I need to TALK to you."

                     "Look, I'm not going to judge you, Inga."

                    "It happened before we were MARRIED."

  "Do you THINK getting CAUGHT in a LIE is the same as TELLING the TRUTH?"

                    "Go ahead Baby, Go ahead and DIE !!!"

                                       "I love you, Inga ."

 THE CAST:
Sidney Poitier (Alan Newell), Anne Bancroft (Inga Dyson), Telly Savalas ( Dr. Coburn), Steven Hill ( Mark Dyson), Ed Asner (Det. Judd Ridley), Indus Arthur ( Marian), Paul Newlan (Sgt. Harry Ward), Dabney Coleman (Charlie), Greg Jarvis (Chris Dyson),
H.M. Wynant (Dr. Morris), Robert Hay (Patrolman Steve Peters), Jason Wingreen (Med Technician), Lane Bradford (Al McCardle), Steve Marlo (Arthur Fuss), Jo Helton (Registered Nurse), Charlotte Stewart(Telephone Operator), Viola Harris ( Telephone Supervisor).

MY BOTTOM LINE :

Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft, both give outstanding performances in THE SLENDER THREAD (1965). Poitier plays a sympathetic Crisis Volunteer who shows great compassion and empathy to a woman who is on the brink of impending doom.

Poitier is quite believable as his character goes beyond his work experience to try to save a life. With his effortless style of acting, Poitier creates a likable character who becomes a true champion of Community Service.

Bancroft is superb as the ill-fated damsel in the distress who decides to end her life with a handful of pills. Bancroft's soothing voice adds another layer to a  would-be one-dimensional role. Even though her character acts cavalier about her impending fate, Bancroft manages to have depression seep through.

I found THE SLENDER THREAD (1964) to be a tense and riveting film. However, the film played out at times like a TV Movie of the Week. I think the problem lied in the editing. There were too many padded scenes that did not compel the story forward like the discotheque scene, the dead birdie on the beach scene, and some of the endless tedious scenes with the phone company. I think by eliminating those scenes the film who have flowed more fluidly instead of being disjointed. Thankfully the film had great actors like Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft to keep the film afloat, instead of sinking to oblivion.

                                      

                                                                                                   

   

                                                      

BEACH PARTY (1963)

Design to be an emulation of the Elvis Presley musicals, instead, BEACH PARTY (1963) created a genre of its own called The Beach Party Film genre. American International Pictures (AIP) wanted FABIAN for the male lead in BEACH PARTY, but Fabian was already committed to another picture. AIP settles with FRANKIE AVALON, who already had done a picture for them the year before called PANIC IN THE YEAR ZERO (1962).

As for the female lead in BEACH PARTY, AIP  always wanted ANNETTE FUNICELLO from the start. The problem was Funicello was a groomed star from the WALT DISNEY's stable of the perfect youth. Disney was apprehensive about loaning out his well-bred princess, who was still under contract to the likes of AIP. Despite Disney's request to have Funicello wear only MODEST bathing suits, not baring her navel. Nonetheless, Annette wears a pink two-piece that bears her navel in BEACH PARTY (1963). Funicello would follow that tradition with the following beach romps.

PLOT SYNOPSIS ( Spoilers Alert !!!)

Our beach romp begins with Frankie (Frankie Avalon) and Dolores (aka Dee Dee ) are heading to the BEACH with their SURFBOARDS in tow. Immediately our teen couple breaks out into song: the theme song no less. After singing about summer vacation and surfing, Frankie and Dee Dee arrive at their destination. A beach house just for two, at least that 's what Frankie thinks. But Dee Dee has something else planned. 

Hastily Frankie and Dee Dee race up to the beach house. Before entering the beach house.
Dee Dee: " Just you and me. All alone."
Frankie:" Exactly."
Dee Dee: " It's just like we are MARRIED."
Frankie: "Exactly."

Frankie insists on carrying Dee Dee over the threshold to their LOVE NEST. Once inside, Frankie stumbles over his friend Dead Head (Jody McCrea) knocking Dee Dee and himself into a cluster of young men sleeping on the floor.

Frankie finds out that Dee Dee invited the whole gang,  not only the guys but the gals as well. This doesn't quite go along with the plans Frankie had in mind. Dee Dee tells Frankie that she had to invite them because she doesn't trust herself being alone with him. As long as there chaperones her VIRTUE will remain INTACT. That 's a new one a group of teenagers being chaperones.

Dee Dee and Frankie 's relationship hit an ICEBERG and like the TITANIC is SINKING fast. Frankie would rather be with Dee Dee with SEXUAL BENEFITS without COMMITMENT   and MARRIAGE. Nonetheless, Dee Dee intends to be SHACKLED to her CHASITY BELT until she is MARRIED.

Later at the beach, Dee Dee CONFESSES to her girlfriend Rhonda (Valora Holand)  that she wants to be with Frankie but not until they are MARRIED. Meanwhile, Frankie FREEZES Dee Dee out giving her the COLDEST cold shoulder that not even the California Sun could MELT. Frankie, Dead Head, and the rest of the gang HANG TEN on their surfboards, while Dee Dee watches from the shore.

 But Dee Dee is NOT the only one WATCHING. In fact, there's a ROVING EYE is watching Dee Dee, Frankie, and the whole gang for SEX study. It sounds like a PERVERT to me, but its none other than Professor Robert Sutwell ( Bob Cummings) who RESEARCHING the MATING habitat of the local teenagers at the beach for his latest book. This MIDDLE-AGED Anthropologist not only WATCHING but EAVESDROPS with his cutting edge equipment for his new book titles THE BEHAVIOR PATTERNS OF YOUNG ADULTS and ITS RELATIONS TO PRIMITIVE TRIBES.

Without warning,  The Professor is joined by his assistant Marianne ( Dorothy Malone) who catches in the act of PEEPING at the HOT BLOODED teens. The Professor defends his action stating that he concentrates on the developmental biology of human beings. Marianne agrees to help the Professor with his book on TEENAGE SEX if he promises to read it. Marianne has been PINNING away her YOUTH for BOSS for years.

Back at the beach, DICK DALE, The KING OF THE SURF GUITAR burst onto the scene with his ELECTRIC GUITAR ( unplugged) with some surfer rock. Immediately these HOT BLOODED teens are shaking it to SECRET  SURFIN' SPOT where the GREMMIES and HODADS never go.

After SURFING THE CURLS, Frankie and his gang collapse on the beach. Frankie reveals his disappointment with Dee Dee with his friends, which they propose to DUMP her. Unfortunately, Frankie ADMITS he LOVES Dee Dee and DUMPING her is out of the question. Instead, Frankie has a better idea and plots to make Dee Dee JEALOUS. The scheme involves a VOLUPTUOUS Bar Maid name Ava (Eva Six) who works at BIG DADDY'S.

That evening at BIG DADDY'S, Frankie sets Operation Dee Dee into motion. Nothing seems to stop Frankie as he SHAKES IT and SINGS " DON'T STOP NOW". Not only does Frankie FLIRTS with Ava, but he's also SWINGIN it with Candy, the PERPETUAL DANCER (Candy Johnson). It appears that Operation Dee Dee is a success. Dee Dee is so JEALOUS that she BOLTS towards the exit after seeing Frankie SHIMMING with other girls.

Before she could leave BIG DADDY'S, Dee Dee runs into the INEPT motorcycle gang known as The Ratz. The INCOMPETENT Leader Eric Von Zipper immediately makes his move on the BEACH PARTY VIRGIN with his usual line: "I like you  and what Eric Von Zipper wants likes, he gets."

 Fortunately,  The Professor happens to be at BIG DADDY'S to get a closer look at his subjects for his teen sex book, when he overhears Von Zipper unwanted advances toward Dee Dee. The Professor instantly comes to Dee Dee's aide. Using the "Himalayan Time Suspension Technique" which consists of The Professor pushes his index finger on the INEPT GANG LEADER'S temple. Instantly, Von Zipper 's body completely freezes. The Professor assures his gang members that their leader will return to normal in a few hours.

After being ESCORTED back to the beach house, Dee Dee thanks The Professor for rescuing her from the STORMTROOPER. The Professor then asks Dee Dee to be his first contact for a sex book. In turn, Dee Dee decides to use The Professor to make Frankie jealous. However, it proves not to be an easy task with The Professor looking like an OLD BILLY GOAT with his pig bristle beard.

The Professor decides to take Dee Dee's advice and shave off his pig bristle beard. Following the MAKEOVER, Dee Dee finds herself falling in love with him. But The Professor is not interested in being in love with his CASE STUDY. Instead, he decides to plant a KISS on Maryann to drive Dee Dee away. After seeing  The Professor in the CLINCH with Maryann, Dee Dee runs back to the beach house.

Frankie and the gang decide to pay The Professor a visit, only to find him still in the CLINCH with Mary Ann. Frankie immediately demands The Professor to MARRY Dee Dee. Suddenly the gang  DISCOVERS  that The Professor has been SPYING  on them on the beach. Before the gang could ask any questions The Professor and Mary Ann made their escape to BIG DADDY'S.

Frankie and the gang find The Professor and MaryAnn at BIG DADDY'S demanding answers. The Professor admits to Frankie and the others that he used them for his SEX BOOK. Frankie learns that Dee Dee was NOT in love with The Professor and that she still loves him.

Without warning, Eric Von Zipper and the RATZ crash the party. It seems Von Zipper still holds a GRUDGE with The Professor for FREEZING him. But before Von Zipper and the RATZ could get their hands on The Professor. Frankie and the gang surround The Professor and Mary Ann playing RING AROUND THE ROSEY to keep The Professor COZY.

Then all HELL breaks LOOSE with Von Zipper and his RATZ causing a RIOT. The Professor defends himself using against the RATZ with the HIMALAYAN TIME SUSPENSION TECHNIQUE. Unfortunately, Deadhead becomes FROOZE amidst all the chaos.

 Suddenly Everybody is SLAMMED with a PIE in the FACE even Frankie and Dee Dee. After the pie-throwing ceased, Von Zipper declares a truce and wants to learn the HIMALAYAN TIME SUSPENSION TECHNIQUE. But before The Professor could show Von Zipper the technique. Von Zipper FROZE himself alongside Deadhead.

As our Beach Romp concludes Big Daddy (Vincent Price) unexpectedly wakes up and gives the WORD of the Day:" THE PIT. Bring me my PENDULUM, kiddies, I feel like SWINGING." Then Big Daddy nods off once again.  Also, Frankie and Dee Dee have RECONCILED taking a long walk on the beach in the MOONLIGHT.  The Professor and Maryann FLY off to a new adventure. As for, Deadhead, well he is FROZEN like a statue, propped on the beach being MOCKED by his friends.

FILM FACTS:

BEACH PARTY (1963) was the FIRST of the SEVEN Beach Party movies produced by American International Pictures.

Fabian was the FIRST choice for the role of " Frankie" in BEACH PARTY (1963) but was committed to a picture for 20th Century Fox.

Vincent Price has a cameo role appearance as Big Daddy in BEACH PARTY (1963). American International Pictures took full advantage of Price 's appearance in Beach Party (1963) cross-promoting his newest AIP horror film THE HAUNTED PALACE (1963) in the title credits.

Unlike the character Professor Sutwell, Bob Cummings was a competent surfer in younger years. However, Cummings did have a stunt surfer for his long shots.

BEACH PARTY (1963) was one of Dorothy Malone's last films on the big screen. During the 1960s, Dorothy Malone made the transition from the BIG screen to the SMALL screen, by becoming a  guest star in many TV programs, until she became the star of the television nighttime drama series: PEYTON PLACE (1964-1968).

Hungarian born Actress Eva Six rose to fame as a Zsa Zsa Gabor prototype. Six signed to American International Pictures making three films: OPEARTION BIKINI (1963), BEACH PARTY (1963), and FOUR FOR TEXAS (1963) before retiring.

Gordon MacRae's daughter Meredith Macrae has a minor role as a Beach Girl in BEACH PARTY (1963).  In the third entry of the Beach Party series from AIP, BIKINI BEACH (1964), Macrae took over the role of Animal from Valora Noland. Macrae later moved to television doing MY THREE SON (1963 -65) and becoming the final Bobbie Jo Spencer in PETTICOAT JUNCTION (1966-1970).

Walt Disney was not keen on the idea of Annette Funicello involvement with American International Pictures for various reasons. Disney did finally succumb to having his wholesome star wallow in these teen sex beach romps. Disney stood behind Funicello promoting her off Disney venture on his record label with ANNETTE'S BEACH PARTY. The album covered all the songs in BEACH PARTY (1963) with a couple of Annette's Disney recording like PINEAPPLE PRINCESS thrown in for good measure.. All the songs were sung by Annette, even the songs that were sung by Frankie Avalon like DON'T STOP NOW in the film.

 Joel McCrea and Frances Dee 's son Jody McCrea plays the dimwitted comic relief Deadhead in BEACH PARTY (1963), MUSCLE BEACH PARTY (1965), and BIKINI BEACH (1964). McCrea's character's name would change from Deadhead to Bonehead in BEACH BLANKET BINGO (1965) and HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI (1965), but is vertically the same person.

Scream Queen Yvette Vickers has a UNCREDITED ROLE in BEACH PARTY (1963) as a Blonde Yoga Girl. 

Morey Amsterdam played Nightclub Owner Cappy in BEACH PARTY (1964), he was also Vice President of American International Pictures which distributed the film.

Eric Von Zipper is the spoof version of Marlon Brando in THE WILD ONE (1953). Brando's Motorcycle Gang Leader is turned into an ungrateful, incompetent buffoon in BEACH PARTY (1963).

IMMORTAL DIALOGUE:                                                                  

Professor: " Marianne, This book will be my Triumph."

       Marianne: " And you'll never get it through the mail. But hang on to this picture rights, I'm sure American International Pictures will snap it up in a minute.

" How would you like to have plans with a girl and end up with a SURFBOARD ?"

" A poem dedicated to BIG DADDY. D is for DALLAS I may not go there. A is for AH ! AH, AH. D is for Nicolas. Long may he wave. D is for D DAY or maybe AD. Y is for Why Not? Put them all together, they spell DADDY. He's been a MUTHER  to us all."

             "Look, nobody tells Eric Von Zipper nothin' !"

         " He done it with his FINGER. One LOUSY finger, ZAP !"

" You SHAVED off a RED BEARD to become a BLUEBEARD !"

"As for their SEX LIFE....nonexistent? Limited to horizontal necking? We will never know for sure."

" The Pit! Bring me, my PENDULUM, kiddies. 

I feel like SWINGING !!!"

 FABRICATED DIALOGUE:                                 

" Who says a MOUSEKETEER from the MICKEY MOUSE CLUB can't wear a TWO-PIECE bathing suit !!"

" I told you, the only GIRL I can KISS in this movie is ANNETTE FUNICELLO. It's in my CONTRACT."

" I've only learned to SURF an hour  ago and  I'm already a BETTER SURFER than FRANKIE AVALON,"

   THE CAST:
 Bob Cummings (Profesor Sutwell), Dorothy Malone (Marianne), Frankie Avalon (Frankie), Annette Funicello (Dolores),
             Morey Amsterdam (Cappy), Harvey Lembeck (Eric Von Zipper), Eva Six (Ava), John Ashley (Ken), Jody McCrea (Deadhead), Valora Noland (Rhonda), Andy Ramon (JD), Jerry Butsche (The Ratz), Bob Harvey (The Ratz), John Macchina (The Ratz), Alberta Nelson (The Mice), Linda Rogers ( The Mice), Meredith MacRae (Beach Girl), Michael Nader (Beach Boy), Vincent Price (Big Daddy), Candy Johnson (Perpetual Motion Dancer), Yvette Vickers (Blonde Yoga Girl).
           

 MY BOTTOM LINE IS :        
Surfin' all day and swingin' all night is the life of a California teenager in BEACH PARTY (1963). This Guilty Pleasure never disappoints conveying the message that teens are COOL  and the older generation is just OLD. Even though BEACH PARTY (1963) was marketed towards the teenage drive- in set, Bob Cummings and Dorothy Malone got top billing. American International wanted to also appeal to the older generation.

Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello were the teen prototype of Rock Hudson and Doris Day. Having Frankie always hinting at lovemaking with mild sexual innuendos. And of course,  Annette never complying with her own primal urges. Instead, she double locks her chastity belt sending out the message to her fellow sisterhood no sex before marriage.

BEACH  PARTY (1963) may be the mother of the beach romps but doesn't set the bar high for its predecessors. Far from being the best of the beach movies of the '60s, BEACH PARTY (1963) still entertains us with its silly storyline, great music, corny humor, and of course, with the King and Queen of Teen, Sand, and Surf Films: Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.

              Annette Funicello in a publicity photo for 

               BEACH PARTY (1963).

                            Frankie Avalon in a publicity photo for 

                            BEACH PARTY (1963).

           Candy Johnson as the Perpetual Motion Dancer.