This teen-oriented film is not surfing-centric like many others, but it takes place around the beach, as the title suggests. It was released just after the Beatles stormed the U. S. and during the era when drive-ins were still in use. Teens in cars with their dates were probably not the most discerning audiences. And "Bikini Beach" asks little of viewers.
The action is very cartoonish, with pratfalls, chases and fights that are choreographed in a silly style. The humor is juvenile and many of the characters have silly names, like Eric Von Zipper, Big Drag, and Deadhead. This film's idea of funny is a chimp riding a scooter with a bird on its head.
Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello star. In this genre of film, they are iconic, but their performances are lackluster. Compare Annette's solos to Olivia Newton-John singing in "Grease", for example.
What the film does have are Don Rickles, a singer named Potato Bug to parody the Beatles, some frenetic frugging, drag racing, Little Stevie Wonder, Meredith MacRae appearing in her second film about the time she started on "My Three Sons", and an appearance by Boris Karloff. If you listen closely, you will hear director William Asher's future wife, Elizabeth Montgomery, voicing one character.
All of these things are mildly interesting, but the film in its entirety is an assemblage of elements where the plot is superfluous.
The action is very cartoonish, with pratfalls, chases and fights that are choreographed in a silly style. The humor is juvenile and many of the characters have silly names, like Eric Von Zipper, Big Drag, and Deadhead. This film's idea of funny is a chimp riding a scooter with a bird on its head.
Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello star. In this genre of film, they are iconic, but their performances are lackluster. Compare Annette's solos to Olivia Newton-John singing in "Grease", for example.
What the film does have are Don Rickles, a singer named Potato Bug to parody the Beatles, some frenetic frugging, drag racing, Little Stevie Wonder, Meredith MacRae appearing in her second film about the time she started on "My Three Sons", and an appearance by Boris Karloff. If you listen closely, you will hear director William Asher's future wife, Elizabeth Montgomery, voicing one character.
All of these things are mildly interesting, but the film in its entirety is an assemblage of elements where the plot is superfluous.