Muscle Beach Party (1964)

Local beach-goers find that their beach has been taken over by a businessman training a stable of body builders.

Director:

William Asher

Writers:

William Asher (story), Robert Dillon (screenplay),

Stars:

Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Luciana Paluzzi

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frankie Avalon	...	Frankie
Annette Funicello	...	Dee Dee
Luciana Paluzzi	...	Julie
John Ashley	...	Johnny
Don Rickles	...	Jack Fanny
Peter Turgeon	...	Theodore
Jody McCrea	...	Deadhead
Dick Dale	...	Himself
Candy Johnson	...	Candy
Peter Lupus	...	Flex Martian (as Rock Stevens)
Valora Noland	...	Animal
Delores Wells	...	Sniffles
Donna Loren	...	Donna
Morey Amsterdam	...	Cappy
Stevie Wonder	...	Himself (as Little Stevie Wonder)

Storyline

Julie, a wealthy contessa managed by S.Z. Matts, wants muscle-man Flex Martin, trained by Jack Fanny, for her own - until she meets Frankie. Frankie's girl Dee Dee gets rightfully jealous and plans to avenge the Frankie-stealing contessa. Mr. Strangdour appears briefly as the king of the strongmen.

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Plot Keywords:

beach | muscle | party | beach party | bodybuilder | 

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Taglines:

SPREAD THOSE BEACH BLANKETS!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 March 1964 (USA)

Also Known As:

Koritsia, koritsia

Filming Locations:

Paradise Cove - 28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alta Vista Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Don Rickles plays Jack Fanny, a character whose name is a spoof of Vic Tanny, the owner of a chain of health clubs in the 1950s and 1960s who relied on a lot of TV ads for promotion.

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Goofs

A helicopter is hovering over the beach. It is shown equipped with pontoons but its shadow clearly and repeatedly shows a helicopter with metal rails for landing gear.

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Quotes

Julie: [after being introduced to Flex Martian] You are so strong!
Flex Martian: I'm the strongest!
Julie: And so handsome!
Flex Martian: I'm the handsomest!
Julie: [admiring his big muscles] And so big!
Flex Martian: [smiles] Yes, ma'am!

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Connections

References La Dolce Vita (1960)

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Soundtracks

"A Girl Needs a Boy"
Lyrics and Music by Guy Hemric and Jerry Styner
Performed by Annette Funicello

User Reviews

If there were only three movies ever made -- say, "Muscle Beach Party," "Problem Child," and "Teen Wolf 2" -- this film would definitely be the greatest film of all time.

Perhaps unappreciated in its time, William Asher's 1964 saga about the tribulations of living jobless and care-free on California's sunny coast, surfing whenever "Surf's up," and dancing for no apparent reason at all (whether it be on the beach or in some restaurant), really captures teen angst during the sixties. Frankie Avalon shines as "Frankie," the glossy-haired, young, ambitious, and maybe a little naive, leader of the beach gang. His counterpart, "Dee Dee," played by Annette Funicello, gave an Oscar-caliber performance. Through a heartbreaking scene that opens with Frankie surfing at night, Dee Dee loses Frankie to an older, richer woman. During the entire film, when I wasn't laughing hysterically at the shear absurdity or chuckling over the image of a producer actually signing on to such golden garbage, I was cheering for Annette. Why Frankie ever decided to ditch his one true love is a mystery. Also noteworthy is Don Rickles' performance as a man-breeder, Buddy Hackett's role as the sensible accountant, and an introductory appearance by "Little" Stevie Wonder. This film comes highly recommended.