Classic Film Friday: Beach Blanket Bingo

So this is a typical beach party movie from 1965. It stars Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello but also has quite a few others as well including Buster Keaton. Surf, sky diving, even a side story with a real mermaid, this movie has it all.

You have to be willing to let a lot go, but it is supposed to be fun, right? A singer, Sugar Kane (Linda Evans), is unknowingly being used for publicity stunts for her latest album by her agent (Paul Lynde), for example, she didn't really do a sky diving stunt, actually performed by Bonnie (Deborah Walley). But it's all in fun right? Right. Frankie "saves" Sugar Kane and thus becomes entrapped in the publicity machine that is Sugar Kane... and her agent.

Add to it that Frankie gets an interest in sky diving, which sparks Annette to do the same. And Bonehead (Jody McCrea) falls in love with a mermaid. And Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) the leader of the motorcycle gang, Malibu Rat Pack falls in love with Sugar Kane, thinks that everyone else is out to get her, and kidnaps her. Yeah it is a little much. But a good ride all the same, and there is comedy, singing, dancing, fights, car chases, and some kissing too.