An anthropologist (Robert Cummings) surreptitiously studies the mores and behaviours of the southern California teen-age surf party-culture, focusing primarily on the 'mating rituals' of such nubile couples as Frankie (Frankie Avalon) and Dolores (Annette Funicello) and their various scantily clad compatriots. This was the first of the 60s 'beach' movies and introduced most of the standard elements: surfing, bikinis, dancing, rock'n'roll, true love vs. Strategic flirting, and silly, sometimes slapstick, comedy (notably goofy biker Eric von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) and his gang of Rats). The film seems slightly less 'innocent' that its sequels - the word 'sex' is bandied about, contrary to popular myth Annette wears a bikini and exposes her navel, her character refers to Frankie's plans for a private tryst being 'like they were married', and there is a passing reference to the 1962 film, Lolita, which is about a young girl named Delores involved in a sexual relationship with a much older professor. I doubt anyone choosing to watch this near-60 year old proto-teenage-sex comedy would expect any more than the film delivers - harmless, light-weight fun, sexy youth, and some great surfing footage.
Review of Beach Party
