Ski Party (1965)

Director:

Alan Rafkin

Writer:

Robert Kaufman (written by)

Release Date:

30 June 1965 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Tagline:

The COOLEST way to keep warm at 20 degrees below!

Plot:

On a college ski weekend, Todd and Craig pretend to be Jane and Nora, a pair of English girls. Their reasons...

Plot Keywords:

Ski Resort | Talking To The Audience | Cross Dressing | Skiing | Men In Drag

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Frankie Avalon	...	Todd Armstrong
Dwayne Hickman	...	Craig Gamble
Deborah Walley	...	Linda Hughes
Yvonne Craig	...	Barbara Norris
Robert Q. Lewis	...	Mr. Pevney
Bobbie Shaw Chance	...	Nita Elksberg (as Bobbi Shaw)
Aron Kincaid	...	Freddie Carter
The Hondells	...	Themselves
Steven Rogers	...	Gene (as Steve Rogers)
Patti Chandler	...	Janet
Michael Nader	...	Bobby (as Mike Nader)
Salli Sachse	...	Indian
John Boyer	...	John
Mikki Jamison	...	Mikki
Mickey Dora	...	Mickey
Mary Hughes	...	Mary
Bill Sampson	...	Arthur
Luree Holmes	...	Luree
James Brown	...	Himself (as James Brown and The Famous Flames)
Lesley Gore	...	Herself
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jo Collins	...	Jo (uncredited)
Semi Engl	...	Ski Instructor (uncredited)
Annette Funicello	...	Prof. Sonya Roberts (uncredited)
Ed Garner	...	Skier (uncredited)
Marvin Hamlisch	...	(uncredited)
Dick Miller	...	Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Christopher Riordan	...	Skier (uncredited)
Astrid Schultz	...	Astrid (uncredited)

Directed by
Alan Rafkin

Writing credits
Robert Kaufman		(written by)

Produced by
Gene Corman	....	producer
Samuel Z. Arkoff	....	co-executive producer (uncredited)
James H. Nicholson	....	co-executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Gary Usher

Cinematography by
Arthur E. Arling

Film Editing by
Morton Tubor

Art Direction by
Howard Campbell

Set Decoration by
George R. Nelson		(as George Nelson)

Makeup Department
Ted Coodley	....	makeup artist
Ray Forman	....	hair stylist (uncredited)

Production Management
Jack Bohrer	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Dale Hutchinson	....	assistant director

Art Department
Ted Cooper	....	property master
Ross Hahn	....	construction coordinator

Sound Department
Robert Post	....	sound (as Bob Post)
Tom Stevens	....	sound editor
James Nelson	....	supervising sound editor (uncredited)

Stunts
Ronnie Dayton	....	stunts (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
John M. Stephens	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Richard Bruno	....	costume supervisor

Music Department
Ed Norton	....	music editor (as Edwin Norton)
Al Simms	....	music supervisor

Other crew
Samuel Z. Arkoff	....	presenter
John Dutton	....	script supervisor
James H. Nicholson	....	presenter
Christopher Riordan	....	assistant choreographer (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Alta Vista Productions

Distributors

• American International Pictures (AIP) (1965) (USA) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1967) (USA) (TV) (original airing) (pan/scan)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (USA) (DVD)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Pathécolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Idaho, USA

Company:

Alta Vista Productions

Trivia:

Frequently referred to as an entry in the "Beach Party" movie series, lead actor Frankie Avalon, producing studio American-International, and a similar style plot targeting the same young target audience are all that this film has in common with the others. Avalon's character has a completely different name (Todd Armstrong instead of Frankie with no last name, not even in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965), which had the character serving in the military), working against the connection. Series leading lady Annette Funicello does have an uncredited cameo, but clearly not in her regular role of Dolores/Dee Dee.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: About 30 minutes into the movie, when they are on the ski lift, the shadow of the cameraman is visible on the ground below them.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Full House: Joey Goes Hollywood (#4.23)" (1991)

Soundtrack:

Ski Party

Mindless Fun

Todd Armstrong and his buddy Craig Gamble (Frankie Avalon & Dwayne Hickman) aren't having any luck whatsoever with their lady friends Linda & Barbara (Deborah Walley & Yvonne Craig). When they learn the ladies are going to be going on a ski trip, our two pathetic heroes decide to follow in fear of permanently losing their gals should they not. Despite their inability to ski, Todd and Craig head off on and find Lesley Gore singing on the bus trip. They finally arrive at the lodge and still find themselves having no luck with Linda & Barbara. Finally the two decide to dress up as women (Jane and Nora) in order to learn how to ski from a sexy Swedish ski instructor but also inadvertently end up getting to learn much more about Linda & Barbara, and other women, than they ever knew or understood before. James Brown and the Fabulous Flames also show up at the lodge and perform "I Feel Good".

This Beach Party comedy movie isn't quite what one expects given enough experience with the previous films (for one thing neither the Eric Von Zipper nor Bonehead appear in this one) but it's nevertheless mindless and innocent fun. Its plot owes more than a little to SOME LIKE IT HOT but this does have its fun moments..my favorites included:

the public service announcement hiding Linda's explanation to Nora the secret that should be known only to women.

the character of Freddy, one of the greatest Beach Party villains ever, who falls in love with Nora

What happens to Todd, who despite a broken leg, after journeying a long distance in the snow to be with the Swedish ski instructor Nita...