Bikini Beach (1964)

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.

Director:

William Asher

Writers:

William Asher, Leo Townsend,

Stars:

Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Martha Hyer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frankie Avalon	...	Frankie / Potato Bug
Annette Funicello	...	Dee Dee
Martha Hyer	...	Vivien 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 (as Dolores Wells)
Paul Smith	...	Cop #1
James Westerfield	...	Cop #2
Donna Loren	...	Donna
Stevie Wonder	...	Himself (as Little Stevie Wonder)

Storyline

Millionaire Harvey Huntington Honeywagon III tries to prove to his colleague Vivian Clements that his chimp, Clyde, is more intelligent than American teenagers. Meanwhile Dee Dee is torn between Frankie and British recording star, the Potato Bug. Eric Von Zipper shows up to aid Harvey's anti-teen campaign. Big Drag shows up with others in a gag bit part.

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Plot Keywords:

millionaire | beach | chimpanzee | black stockings | police | 

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Taglines:

It's where the girls are BARE-ing... the guys are DAR-ing and the surf's RARE-ing to GO-GO-GO

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 July 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Praia dos Biquínis

Box Office

Budget:

$600,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American International Pictures (AIP)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Boris Karloff stepped in to replace his late friend Peter Lorre, who had passed away in March 1964, with production wrapped up in May for July release.

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Goofs

Shadow of boom mic can be seen on Potato Bug's tent as Dee Dee is talking with him.

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Quotes

[after seeing the Potato Bug's tent]
Candy: Holy hot curls!

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Crazy Credits

Love Slaves to Mr. Barquet ... See Sex Puppet List

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Connections

Followed by Ski Party (1965)

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Soundtracks

"Gotcha Where I Wantcha"
by Jack Merrill and Red Gilson
Performed by The Exciters Band (uncredited)

User Reviews

Finally! Annette is Smart, Sexy and Slightly Dangerous.

We red-blooded males who followed Annette Funicello's career from the time she was a nubile Mousketeer will be especially enamored of "Bikini Beach," a superior entry in the, admittedly, mediocre "Beach Party" series. For once, Annette gets to play smart, sexy and slightly dangerous, possessing more than a passing interest in sex. Gone, thank goodness, is her usual "Doris Day with mild PMS" persona. I have a strong suspicion this is closer to the "real" Annette, here. I certainly hope so. Even Annette's singing is very good. I wish AIP would've sprung for the bucks to give "Bikini" better choreography. Annette, a trained dancer would have impressed even more. Annette's swimsuit is even more revealing than usual, about as close to a bikini as "Papa Disney" would allow her to wear.

While the script, as usual, plays as if it were cribbed from the back of a cereal box, the gentle ribbing of British rock stars, modern art and drag racing are a welcome change from the usual "Beach Party" dross. Martha Hyer is along and provides some classy, mature-sexy glamor. "Bikini" even has a cameo by a very young Stevie Wonder. While Frankie Avalon won't win any acting awards, his alter-ego, "Potato Bug" is certainly a less annoying character than Mike Meyers' execrable "Austin Powers". Even Don Rickles is along, playing a character named "Big Drag," a gentle pun on Don "Big Daddy" Garlits, a well-known drag racer and auto customizer of the era. Too bad, Rickles doesn't get to cut lose with his usual wise guy humor. Guess AIP was too cheap to spring for that.

While no work of art, "Bikini Beach" is more than just watchable. It's actually, at times, enjoyable. I give "Bikini Beach" a weak "6".