Bikini Beach (1964)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

William Asher

Writers:

William Asher (writer)
Robert Dillon (writer)

Release Date:

22 July 1964 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

It's where every torso is more so, and bare-as-you-dare is the rule!

Plot:

A millionaire sets out to prove his theory that his pet chimpanzee is as intelligent as the teenagers who hang out on the local beach, where he is intending to build a retirement home.

Plot Keywords:

Millionaire | Beach | Motorcycle | Motorcycle Gang | Chase

Cast

Frankie Avalon	...	Frankie / Potato Bug
Annette Funicello	...	Dee Dee
Martha Hyer	...	Vivian Clements
Don Rickles	...	Big Drag
Harvey Lembeck	...	Eric Von Zipper
John Ashley	...	Johnny
Jody McCrea	...	Deadhead
Candy Johnson	...	Candy
Danielle Aubry	...	Lady Bug
Meredith MacRae	...	Animal
Delores Wells	...	Sniffles
Paul Smith	...	Cop #1
James Westerfield	...	Cop #2
Donna Loren	...	Donna
Stevie Wonder	...	Himself (as Little Stevie Wonder)

Runtime:

99 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G

Company:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Trivia:

Danielle Aubry's voice was dubbed by director 'William Asher (I)''s wife Elizabeth Montgomery

Quotes:

[Eric Von Zipper's motorcycle once again runs away and crashes]
J.D.: You did it again, boss.
Eric Von Zipper: You stupid, fix it!
J.D.: [to another rat pack member] Hey, stupid! Fix it!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies (2001)

Soundtrack:

This Time It's Love

Bikini Beach was my first intro to Frankie and Annette at the beach

This movie, Bikini Beach, is the first time I've actually seen these Frankie Avalon-Annette Funicello Beach movies in their entirety. Avalon is highly amusing in playing another role as Potato Bug, a British rock singer obviously inspired by The Beatles' invasion of America as evident by Bug's two numbers that spoof many of the Fab Four's early hits with the "oooohs" especially noticeable. There's also some amusing stuff from blond dancer Candy Johnson and Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Keenan Wynn as a crusading newspaper publisher (and why is the paper called Bikini Bugle, why ask why?) or especially Don Rickles as a painter/bar owner/drag racing announcer as they have no real punchlines. I also didn't find the gorilla stuff or the chase at the climax amusing either. I did like the songs and instrumentals, the latter of which was provided by a guitar band called The Pyramids. Frankie and Annette have a nice duet at the beach while Ms. Funicello provides a nice solo. Brunette teen Donna Loren also sings an enjoyably catchy song at the beginning here and then there's Little Stevie Wonder providing his number at the end which, while not memorable, is all right. Like I said, the comedy mostly falls flat after about 30 minutes but that said, Bikini Beach remains mostly harmless fun as an introduction to me of the series. Trivia: the director's wife, Elizabeth Montgomery, provides the voice of Lady Bug. Oh, and there's a cameo by a famous horror star near the end...