Lucas notes that the plot of Beach Party is remarkable for its ".enlightened sense of fair play: it not only (lightly) criticizes juvenile irresponsibility, but also the critics of juvenile irresponsibility, who are depicted as well-meaning people who, in getting older, have grown so alienated from life that they can only understand the concept of fun by abstracting it into cold, dead, analytical text." Into this diverse mix of characters drives a motorcycle gang calling themselves The Rats and Mice, led by the pompous Brando-wannabe Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck). For his part, Sutwell decides that it may be better - and more enlightening - to be a participant in this youth culture rather than just an observer. Sutwell (or "Old Pig Bristles" as he is called by the kids). Amidst much surfing, dancing, and merrymaking, the principals become entangled in a variety of romantic misunderstandings: Frankie attempts to make Dolores jealous, for example, by flirting with Ava (Eva Six), a waitress at Big Daddy's, while Dolores, in turn, considers taking up with Prof.
Away from the beach, the main hangout is Big Daddy's, a beatnik club presided over by Cappy (Morey Amsterdam) in the absence of the mysterious Big Daddy. Sutwell is writing a book called The Behavior Pattern of the Young Adult and Its Relation to Primitive Tribes, and is accompanied by his romantically frustrated colleague Marianne (Dorothy Malone). At a nearby beachhouse, anthropologist R.O Sutwell (Robert "Bob" Cummings, complete with beard) has set up a telescope and listening device designed to observe the language and mating habits of the beach-going teenagers. Frankie's plan to have some private time with Dolores is spoiled, though she has already invited dozens of their friends to meet them at the getaway.
As Tim Lucas notes in the magazine Video Watchdog, "the 'Beach Party' movies.spoke the secret cultural language of their day, providing a unique interface between such timely interests as rock 'n' roll, skimpy swimwear, surfing, other surfing movies ( Ride the Wild Surf, the 'Gidget' series), drag racing, motorcycles, MAD magazine, Ed 'Big Daddy' Roth and CAR TOONS magazine, Don Post horror masks, and of course, American International Pictures itself." Beach Party and its successors in the series managed to simultaneously chronicle and be a part of a particularly vibrant moment in American popular culture.īeach Party opens as Frankie (Frankie Avalon) drives his girlfriend Dolores (Annette Funicello) - in a beat-up jalopy loaded down with surfboards - to a beachhouse on the Southern California coast. A pie-throwing brawl ensues which finally clears up the misunderstandings Frankie and Dolores are reconciled, while Professor Sutwell realizes that Marianne is the woman for him.Īmerican International Pictures' Beach Party (1963) initiated one of the shortest film series on record - seven movies in just over two years - but these films mirrored a specific "fad" in American pop culture in a surprisingly freewheeling and self-reflexive manner. At the beer hall, Professor Sutwell is confronted by the irate youngsters and the cyclists. As the apparent romances develop, the teenagers discover the professor's research papers and realize what he is doing. When the professor rescues Dolores from the unwelcome attentions of Eric Von Zipper, a leather-jacketed motorcyclist, they become friends, and Frankie becomes jealous. Meanwhile, Frankie has become angry with Dolores and plans to avenge himself by feigning a romance with voluptuous Ava, a waitress at the local beer and rock and roll establishment. From an adjoining house, their beach antics are observed by anthropology professor Sutwell and his secretary, Marianne, who are doing research on the sex play of teenagers.
Upon arrival, he is dismayed to find a crowd of their friends there, invited by Dolores. Frankie takes his girl friend, Dolores, to a beach house in southern California for a surfing vacation.