WAYNE'S WORLD OF CINEMA: 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.