Bikini Beach (1964)

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

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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:

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

Movie Connections:

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

Soundtrack:

Record Run

Beatle Over a Potato Bug

It's a colorful southern California summer of 1964.

Frankie Avalon (as Frankie) hears nature calling him to Annette Funicello (as Dee Dee); but, she hears only wedding bells. In short order, the "Beach Party" gang goes ga-ga over popular English superstar Frankie Avalon (in a dual role, as "The Potato Bug"), arriving to fill out a romantic triangle for Mr. Avalon and Ms. Funicello. Newspaperman Keenan Wynn (as Harvey Huntington Honeywagon III) is also on hand; accompanied by his ape "Clyde" (Janos Prohaska); Mr. Wynn sets out to prove the "sexually preoccupied" teenagers are akin to monkeys. Adult beauty Martha Hyer (as Vivian Clements) thinks Avalon and company are just having a good time. Don Rickles (as Big Drag) and Harvey Lembeck (as Eric Von Zipper) help add drag racing and motorcycle fun.

Returning more to the initial entry's "Beach Party" formula makes "Bikini Beach" an improvement over the series' recent dip into "Muscle Beach Party". The script is relatively snappy, and amusing. "Clyde" and "Frieda" have a great scene together; for example, when "Clyde" plays with Rickles' bird, in the dragster's beer joint (strictly for kids, Rickles explains, as he serves only beer and soda). Avalon's dual role is nicely played; and it is a timely, welcome nod to the mid-sixties musical "British invasion". Funicello, with a decent amount of navel displayed, is always charming; however, the added hair was unnecessary. The regular "teenagers" are attractive, and Ms. Hyer performs exceptionally well.

Director William Asher uses bewitching wife Elizabeth Montgomery well; she reads the beginning of a newspaper article, and voices the French "Lady Bug". Despite the presence of Stevie Wonder, the Pyramids, and the Exciters; performing songs by the usual writers, the soundtrack is derivative, and unmemorable. Look for Gary Usher, Roger Christian, and Mike Nader among the "Beach Boys". Mr. Nader told once me he was in these movies, and now I see him.

***** Bikini Beach (1964) William Asher ~ Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Martha Hyer, Don Rickles