Beach Bums and Bunnies

In Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), we find ourselves amidst partying beach bums. To my mind, Beach Blanket Bingo, directed by William Asher, is where the beach party films peaked. The story itself stands up, which can't easily be said about later films, with a combination of skydiving, pop stars and mermaids. There are many great Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon moments. The relationship between Frankie and Dee Dee combines a sort of bickering old married couple vibe with a youthful competitiveness and jealousy that makes them charming.      

The social context understood, there are a few moments that made the feminist inside cringe a little. Comments about the woman's place is in the kitchen and related things pop up here and there. On the beach, it's obvious that the focus is on the sexiness of the bikini clad girls. Of course, this is done in a playful and often comical manner and the watcher has to keep in mind the period in which this film came out.  However, it makes it kind of refreshing to see Funicello in a one piece swimsuit, even if it was for contract reasons.  

Dee Dee and Frankie are also surrounded by some entertaining characters. Paul Lynde and Don Rickles are hilarious, the latter even having a stand up-esque moment in the film. Some cameo apperances from Buster Keaton allow for an entertaining running gag, litterally. Harvey Lembeck appears as the extremely ridiculous leader of the leather clad gang of villains. His slapstick seeped appearances are extremely ludicrous and in some instances, don't actually make sens. However, this gang complements the tone of the film and they are forgiven for whatever randomness they bring. As a side note, I would like to bring to the attention the creepiness of the South Dakota Slim character. I don't even know what to make of him... All of these people pull together to give us the climactic, and thoroughly silly, chase and fight scene that seem to be a token in these films.

There is a special place in my heart for 60's dancing. Perhaps it's the lack of coordination and grace needed to do this style of dance, thus making it the only dance I can aspire to master. Nevertheless, it makes for a fantastic backdrop to some great songs. Most of the songs appearing in the film are charactirised by the pop/rock sound of the time. The song performed by Donna Loren always struck me as mildy inappropriately sad for such a lighthearted film, but it is beautiful and it allows her to explore a less bouncy upbeat song like we usually see her do in these beach party films. Eric Von Zipper's rendition of I am my own ideal is the only song that has a truly traditional musical sound and Lembeck manages to stay fully anchored in his character while doing it.   

As with many such films, the DVD is unfortunately bare bones. Some versions of the film include a Funicello song that was originally cut from the film. Nonetheless, this film remains a glimpse into a  particular time in Americain pop culture in a lighthearted and playful way. Generally, I think it's marvy!