Category: Muscle Beach Party

Rock n’ roll (and La Jolla) folklore

SALLI’S RIDE: Meet Salli Sachse, part of rock n’ roll (and La Jolla) folklore by Corey Levitan, La Jolla Light, May 22, 2019. What was filming those beach films like? “It was so much fun. Don Rickles was in a couple of the films, so he would come when they were changing the lights and…

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Don Rickles, 1929 – 2017

Don Rickles, Legendary Comic With a Gift for the Insult, Dies at 90 The Hollywood Reporter 4/6/2017 by Mike Barnes, Duane Byrge Don Rickles, the rapid-fire insult machine who for six decades earned quite a living making fun of people of all creeds and colors and everyone from poor slobs to Frank Sinatra, has died….

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Starlet In Green Bay

Starlet in Green Bay — Blonde and vivacious Darlene Lucht was in Green Bay Thursday for a whirlwind tour of local radio and televisions stations to publicize “Muscle Beach Party.” Miss Lucht, a former Miss Milwaukee, is featured in the movie.

Swinging Twisting Surfing

Muscle Beach Party (1964) novelization by Elsie Lee quotations: Her hand caught warmly in Frankie’s, Dee Dee wandered where he led, across the sands and away from the sounds of civilization, If you can call it that, she thought vaguely. … “Like maybe brains do count for more than brawn?” Dee Dee suggested.  “Like maybe…

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Guys are swinging with their Dolls

Muscle Beach Party (1964) synopsis: Surfers Frankie and Dee Dee and their friends become uneasy when muscleman Flex Martian and his friends from Jack Fanny‘s gym invade their section of the beach. On a yacht offshore, a wealthy contessa named Julie is arranging for her business manager S. Z. Matts to obtain Flex as the…

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diverting and zany

Critical reaction to Muscle Beach Party was, not surprisingly, harsh. The New York Post branded the outing “abysmal.” Photoplay was kinder, daring to suggest that Muscle Beach Party was superior to Beach Party while Seventeen went out on a limb to declare it “diverting” and “zany.” Star Annette Funicello received a Golden Laurel Award nomination…

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teenage-geared romantic farce with songs

Muscle Beach Party is American International‘s followup to Beach Party, its click of a year earlier. The novelty of surfing has worn off, leaving in its wake little more than a conventional teenage-geared romantic farce with songs. December 31, 1963, Variety review.

a twitch-and-twist musical

The second feature on the program is a twitch-and-twist musical film entitled “Muscle Beach Party,” which stars Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon and a tangle of vigorous young people with beautiful bodies and empty heads. If you can last through “A Distant Trumpet” and then this, you’re a double-dyed stoic. BOSLEY CROWTHER, May 28, 1964, The…

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Muscle Girl Flo

Amadee Chabot (born 1945): Miss USA 1962, muscle girl ‘Flo’ in Muscle Beach Party 1964, a movie star in Mexico 1966-69, then a realtor in Merced, California.  

Deadhead and dumbells

Jody McCrea in a publicity photo for Muscle Beach Party (1964), the second Beach Party movie, the second time McCrea’s character was named ‘Deadhead’.

Amadee has property to sell

Amadee Chabot (born 1945): Miss USA 1962, muscle girl ‘Flo’ in Muscle Beach Party 1964, a movie star in Mexico 1966-69, then a realtor in Merced, California.

Flex Martian autograph

Peter Lupus-signed Muscle Beach Party (1964) souvenir card. American bodybuilder Peter Lupus (born 1932 Indianapolis USA) appeared in the film under the stage name  Rock Stevens, playing”Mr Galaxy Flex Martian.” In his real life bodybuilding career, he was Mr. Indianapolis, Mr. Indiana, Mr. International Health and Mr. Hercules. 1968 Interview from The Peter Lupus Shrine:…

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Alberta and Amadée lifting weights

Goober Pyle’s girlfriend Alberta Nelson, Miss World 1962 Amadee Chabot and comedian Don Rickles in Muscle Beach Party (1964). Alberta Nelson appeared in every Beach Party Gang movie except Ski Party; Amadee Chabot became an action movie star in Mexico; Rickles returned for cameos in Bikini Beach (1964) ‘Big Drag’, Pajama Party (1964) ‘Big Bang…

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Luciana Paluzzi

Luciana Paluzzi (born 10 June 1937) Italian actress in Hollywood: “Return To Peyton Place” 1962, “Muscle Beach Party” 1964, “Thunderball” 1965, “The Green Slime” 1968. Turner Classic Movies –  Richard Harland Smith: “… Shot under the working title ‘Muscle Beach’, “Muscle Beach Party” (1964) deviated not a wit from the first [“Beach Party”]. The sacrosanct…

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Flex Martian – Mister Galaxy

Amadee Chabot as Flo, Alberta Nelson as Lisa, and Rock Stevens (a.k.a. Peter Lupus) as Flex Martian. Q: How did you get the lead muscleman part in “Muscle Beach Party“? PETER LUPUS: I was very lucky. I was visiting my good friend Jody McCrea on the set of one of his pictures when I was…

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Hear 7 New Surfing Hits!

American International Pictures’ Muscle Beach Party (released 25 March 1964), the second Beach Party movie. “A wealthy Italian countess descends on the beach to ensnare Flex Martian, winner of a Mr. Galaxy contest. But when she transfers her affections to Frankie Avalon, Annette is disgusted and war is ignited between the muscles and the surfers….

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When 10,000 Biceps go around 5,000 Bikinis…

Muscle Beach Party (1964), the second Beach Party movie. “A twitch-and-twist musical film entitled “Muscle Beach Party,” which stars Frankie Avalon and a tangle of vigorous young people with beautiful bodies and empty heads.” BOSLEY CROWTHER, New York Times, published: May 28, 1964.

When 10,000 Biceps go around 5,000 Bikinis…

American International Pictures’ Muscle Beach Party (released 25 March 1964), the second Beach Party movie. “A wealthy Italian countess descends on the beach to ensnare Flex Martian, winner of a Mr. Galaxy contest. But when she transfers her affections to Frankie Avalon, Annette is disgusted and war is ignited between the muscles and the surfers….

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Beautiful bodies and empty heads

Luciana Paluzzi and Peter Lupus watch Don Rickles confront Buddy Hackett in Muscle Beach Party (1964), the second Beach Party movie. “A twitch-and-twist musical film entitled “Muscle Beach Party,” which stars Frankie Avalon and a tangle of vigorous young people with beautiful bodies and empty heads.” BOSLEY CROWTHER, New York Times, published: May 28, 1964.

A surfer girl in a wild bikini

Mary Hughes (born Mary Cecilia Hughes, 25 Feb 1944 Hollywood, California; died 13 Dec 2007 Malibu, California) Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) surfer girl Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) beach girl Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) pyjama girl Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) beach girl Ski Party (30-Jun-1965) Mary How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (14-Jul-1965) beach…

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Luciana Paluzzi dancing with Francisco Avallone

Luciana Paluzzi and Frankie Avalon in Muscle Beach Party (1964), the first Beach Party sequel. Luciana Paluzzi (born 1937) later played SPECTRE agent Fiona Volpe in the James Bond film Thunderball (1965).

Jody McCrea (1934 – 2009) Twentieth Century Fox player

Jody McCrea: his presence as a lovable bonehead defined the canonical six Beach Party movies: Beach Party (1963), Muscle Beach Party, Bikini Beach, Pajama Party (1964), Beach Blanket Bingo and How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965).  

Muscle Beach Party (1964) original one sheet poster

Muscle Beach Party (1964) – the second Beach Party movie, the only one featuring a dramatic sub-plot: the relationship between European millionaire Julie (Luciana Paluzzi) and her devoted business manager, S.Z. Matts (Buddy Hackett).

Muscle Beach Party (1964) novelisation

Muscle Beach Party (1964) adapted by Elsie Lee, featuring Frankie Avalon and simply “Annette” on the cover. This was the third adaption for AIP by romance novelist Elsie Lee (1912 – 1987), following The Comedy of Terrors and The Masque of the Red Death.

Don Rickles

Little Stevie Wonder, Don Rickles and a member of ‘The Pyramids’ in Bikini Beach (1964) Don Rickles: born Donald Jay Rickles, 8 May 1926, New York City New York. First screen credit: Stage 7 (TV 1955) ‘A Note of Fear’ Announcer First screen appearance: Run Silent Run Deep (1958) Quartermaster Ruby Muscle Beach Party (1964)…

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Patti Chandler

Patti Chandler (born Patricia Ann Lauderback, 8 December 1943 Culver City, California). Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) beach girl Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) pyjama girl Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) Patti Ski Party (30-Jun-1965) Janet How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (14-Jul-1965) Patti Sergeant Deadhead (18-Aug-1965) Patti Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (6-Nov-1965) robot The Ghost…

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Charles Van Artsdalen

Charles Van Artsdalen a.k.a. Butch Van Artsdalen, born 31 January 1941; died 18 July 1979 from alcoholism. Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) surfer boy

Larry Shaw

Larry King: born circa 1945. Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) surfer boy

Guy Hemric

Guy Hemric: born Guy Bonson Hemric, 30 June 1931, North Carolina; died 10 January 1993 Florida) Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) beach boy Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) surfer Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) pyjama boy Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) beach boy How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (14-Jul-1965)  Ad Man Thunder Alley (22-Mar-1967)

Amadee Chabot

Amedee Chabot (aka Amedée Chabot aka Amadee Chabot – born Joy Chabot, 1945, Chicago, Illinois). Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Flo – muscle girl For Those Who Think Young (1 Jun 1964) beach girl – uncredited

Linda Bent

Linda Bent (born Linda Jean Opie, 30 Mar 1939 Los Angeles, California) Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) surfer girl – as Linda Opie Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) beach girl Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) pajama girl as Lind Opie Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) beach girl Ski Party (30-Jun-1965) How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (14-Jul-1965)…

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Linda Benson

Linda Benson (born Linda Rae Benson, 24 May 1944 Encinitas, California Gidget (1959) stunt double Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) stunt double Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) surfer girl Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) beach girl Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) pajama girl Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) beach girl

Kathy Kessler

Kathy Kessler (right) with Mary Hughes in a publicity photo for Muscle Beach Party (1964). In sharp contrast to Mary Hughes was an equally beautiful surfer girl, Kathy Kessler. “If Mary was the Brigitte Bardot of Malibu, then Kathy Kessler was the Edie Sedgwick,” says Jacqueline. (The guys, to a man, liken Kathy to Marilyn…

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Darlene Lucht

Darlene Lucht (born Darlene 17 Mar 1938 Franklin, Wisconsin; died 5 Mar 2011, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) The Haunted Palace (1963) Miss Fitch Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) beach girl Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) beach girl Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) beach girl – uncredited Final credit: Five Bloody Graves (1969) Althea Richards – as Tara Ashton

Mary Hughes

Mary Hughes (born Mary Cecilia Hughes, 25 Feb 1944 Hollywood, California; died 13 Dec 2007 Malibu, California) Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) surfer girl Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) beach girl Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) pyjama girl Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) beach girl Ski Party (30-Jun-1965) Mary How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (14-Jul-1965) beach…

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Gary Usher

Gary Usher (born Gary Lee Usher, 14 Dec 1938 LA County, California; died 25 May 1990 Los Angeles, California) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) beach boy – uncredited Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) – beach boy Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) beach boy

Roger Christian

Roger Christian aka “Hot Dog Rog” (3 Jul 1934 – 11 Jul 1991) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) beach boy – uncredited Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) beach boy Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) surfer The Swinging Set (1964) newscaster – uncredited

Duane Ament

Duane Ament (born Duane Shelby Ament 18 Mar 1935 Chicago, IL). Father Don Ament was an Art Director in Hollywood until 1965. The Three Stooges in Orbit (1962) Personnel Clerk Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Beach Boy Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Beach Boy Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965)Big Boy – uncredited

Dick Dale

Dick Dale (born Richard Anthony Monsour on 4 May 1937, Boston Massachusetts) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964)

William Asher

William Asher (born William Milton Asher, 8 Aug 1921 Manhattan, New York; died 16 Jul 2012 Palm Desert, California) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (14-Jul-1965) Gidget (TV 1965-66) 7 episodes Fireball 500 (07-Jun-1965)

Ed Garner

Above: Ed Garner and Patti Chandler in a promotional photo for Pajama Party (1964) Ed Garner (born 1944 Los Angeles) Complete credits: Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) surfer – as Eddie Garner Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) surfer boy Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) surfer Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) pajama boy Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) beach boy…

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Johnny Fain

Johnny Fain (born 7 July 1943 in Los Angeles, California; died 6 March 2022, Malibu California) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) surfer – as John FainSurf Party (30 Jan 1963) – as John FainMuscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) surfer boy – as John FainBikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) surferPajama Party (11 Nov 1964) pajama boyBeach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965)…

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Laura Lynn aka Ashlyn Martin

Laura Lynn (born Laura Lynn Hale, 20 Mar 1946 Ohio – suicide 24 Oct 1991) Complete credits: Blood Feast (1963) Marcy, girl on beach Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) beach girl (uncredited) Burke’s Law (TV 25-Oct-1963) ‘Who Killed Alex Debbs?’ – 2nd Deb Girl (as Laura Lynn Hale) The Joey Bishop Show (TV 9–Nov-1963) ‘Joey’s Surprise for…

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Lorie Summers

Lorie Summers (aka Lorrie Summers aka Marilee Summers) All credits: The Real McCoy (TV 1963) Donna Oliver The Man with the X Ray Eyes (1963) dancer – uncredited Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) The Beverly Hillbillies (TV 1965) 4th beach girl – as Marilee Summers

Luree Holmes

Above: Ski Party, featuring [unknown], Luree Holmes, Frankie Avalon, Salli Sachse Luree Holmes (born Luree Nicholson 24 April 1942) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) as Luree Nicholson Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) Ski Party (30-Jun-1965) How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (14-Jul-1965) Sergeant Deadhead…

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Candy Johnson

Above: Donna Loren, Jody McCrea, Harvey Lembeck, Candy Johnson Candy Johnson (born Victoria Jean Hulstead 8 Feb 1944 – 20 Oct 2012) Four screen credits: Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Perpetual Motion Dancer Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Candy Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Candy Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) Candy

Donna Loren

Donna Loren (born Donna Zukor 7 Mar 1947) Dr Pepper Girl 1963 – 1968 Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Donna Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Donna Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) Vikki Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) Donna Sergeant Deadhead (18-Aug-1965) Susan Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (6-Nov-1965) Final credit: Gomer Pyle (TV 1968) Save Save…

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Delores Wells

Delores Wells (born 17 Oct 1937) Playboy Playmate of the Month June 1960, later secreatry to Linda Lovelace Four film credits: Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Sue Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Sniffles Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Sniffles The Time Travellers (1964) Reena plus A Guide for the Married Man (1967) a very attractive woman (uncredited) Banning…

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John Ashley

John Ashley (born John Atchley 25 Dec 1934– 3 Oct 1997) Married to Deborah Walley, 28 April 1962 – 1966 First screen credit: Dragstrip Girl (1957) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Ken Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Johnny Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Johnny Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) Steve Gordon Young Dillinger (1965) ‘Baby Face’ Nelson How to…

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Alberta Nelson

Above: Alberta Nelson, Harvey Lembeck and Linda Rogers Alberta Nelson (14 Aug 1937 – 29 Apr 2006) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) The Mice Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Lisa, Muscle Girl Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Rat Pack Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) Rat Pack Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) Rat Pack How to Stuff a Wild Bikini…

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Jody McCrea

Jody McCrea (born Joel Dee McCrea 6 Sep 1934 – 4 Apr 2009) Son of Joel McCrea (The Virginian and other westerns) and Frances Dee (Little Women, retired 1954) First screen credit: The First Texan (1956) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Deadhead Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Deadhead Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Deadhead Pajama Party (11 Nov…

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Valora Noland, 1941 – 2022

Valora Noland (born Valor Baum 8 Dec 1941 Seattle Washington; died Valora Tree 27 March 2022 Sebastopol California) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Rhonda – *film debut Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Animal Sex and the College Girl (shot 1964 – released 1970) Vickie Summer Children (29 Oct 1965) Diana Star Trek (TV 16 Feb 1968)…

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Frankie Avalon

Frankie Avalon (born Francis Thomas Avallone 18 September 1939) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) Socum – guest cameo Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) I’ll Take Sweden (United Artists 18 Jun 1965) Kenny Klinger Ski Party (30-Jun-1965) Todd Armstrong How to Stuff a Wild Bikini…

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Annette Funicello

Annette Funicello (22 Oct 1942 – 8 April 2013) Beach Party (7-Aug-1963) Dolores Muscle Beach Party (25 Mar 1964) Dee Dee Bikini Beach (22-Jul-1964) Dee Dee Pajama Party (11 Nov 1964) Connie Beach Blanket Bingo (14-Apr-1965) Dee Dee The Monkey’s Uncle (Disney 18 Aug 1965) Jennifer Ski Party (30-Jun-1965) Prof. Sony Roberts – uncredited How…

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Salli Sachse

Salli Sachse: born Sally Irene Rogers, 25 June 1943, San Diego Muscle Beach Party (1964) Bikini Beach (1964) Pajama Party (1965) – uncredited Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) Ski Party (1965) – Indian (as a name) *has dialogue How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965) Sergeant Dead Head (1965) – Sue Ellen Dr. Goldfoot and the…

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Mike Nader

Mike Nader (born 19-Feb 1945; died 23 August 2021) Beach Party (1963) – Beach Boy Muscle Beach Party (1964) – Surfer Boy For Those Who Think Young (1964) – College Boy Bikini Beach (1964) – Surfer Pajama Party (1965) – Pajama Boy Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) – Butch Ski Party (1965) – Bobby How to…

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