I watched this first of AIP's Beach Party movies in tribute to Annette Funicello. I forget just how painfully dopey these teen comedies from the era can be. No offense meant to Funicello - she's pretty charming here. She's almost an afterthought, though. Robert Cummings, playing an anthropologist studying surfing culture, is the film's star. He's pretty much the only one who lands any of his jokes - he comes off as a pretty talented comedian surrounded by hackiness. Frankie's here, too, of course, and also doesn't have too much to do. Dorothy Malone, as Cummings assistant and the gal who he'll end up with (he has a phony romance with Funicello which we know from the start won't go anywhere), also has nothing to do. And, poor girl, she looks hopelessly ancient next to Funicello, Eva Six and the rest of the young women. There are several good songs. Whenever they're singing, the film's worthwhile.