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List Price: $14.95 | | Label: MGM (Video & DVD)
Salesrank: 81311
Released: September 5, 2000 |
| Our Price: $6.98 |
| Used Price: $1.50 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello's third summer at the beach reunites the old gang (Jody McCrea, John Ashley, Candy Johnson--who once again shimmies through the credits--and Harvey Lembeck as the buffoonish motorcycle gang leader Eric von Zipper) for more summer sun antics. Frankie plays two roles: the sex mad surfer still chasing comely Annette (renamed Dee Dee in this film) and a British singing sensation named Potato Bug, who moves the gang from the beach to the blacktop for a little drag-strip action. The goofy, gap-toothed rocker is supposed to be a spoof of The Beatles but more resembles Terry-Thomas with his pith helmet and "jolly good!" exclamations. While Annette sidles next to Potato Bug to instill the necessary undercurrent of jealousy to set the mood, Keenan Wynn provides the slimmest excuse of a plot as a rest home tycoon with a pet ape that surfs, twists, and drives dragsters with the best of them. It's even sillier than the first two, with a plot that dissolves halfway through and a slapstick fueled, pie-fight finale. It shows every sign of having been quickly cobbled together and loses some of the energy and charm of Beach Party, but it's still a giddy little slice of 1960s surf and sex innocence. "Little" Stevie Wonder makes a late appearance and Boris Karloff drops by for a cameo. --Sean Axmaker
Bikini Beach Reviews:
bikini beach 
2009-10-05 - it is great watching some of the old movies you grew up with,sure they are low tech and low budget but still fun to watch
Unexpectedly Good! 
2009-08-09 - Excellent soundtrack, Broadway quality choreography, nice location shooting, very witty script make this one a cut above. Frankie Avalon sings and acts well, and plays two parts, one which I can help thinking is the basis for the Austin Powers character (well, somewhat).
Something about Keenan Wynn's attempt to undermine the Beach partiers, so as to take over their turf and expand an Old Folks home (today called a retirement community). But in the end, the old folks join the young folks in the crazy finale at Don Rickles sports bar. (Only beer and soda).
Of course, there are the awkward period references which can drag down the happy feeling, but...that was Hollywood.
Best of the Series
2007-06-07 - One tends to regard all the Frankie and Annette beach movies as interchangeable, but current viewers should find a lot more substance in "Bikini Beach" (1964) than in the others. And not just because the film holds up reasonably well and performs the time capsule function.
Most of the credit goes to the writers who probably realized this thing (as a sequel of sorts) was pre-sold and took a few chances with social commentary and satire that you normally don't see in an American International exploitation film. And "Bikini Beach" features a genuinely good soundtrack; with an absolute minimum of performances by Annette. In the satire and parody department there are a number of nice self-reflexive elements. The best of these being a parody of the Beatles "I Want To Hold Your Hand", performed by Frankie who doubles as a mop-headed British import named "The Potato Bug". Those who recall the British invasion remember that for every two screaming teenage fans there was at least one sulking boy who just didn't get it.
Then there is the "Wild Ones" parody including Harvey Lembeck's entrance on a motorcycle complete with a trophy tied to the handlebars. Finally there is a tribute to "The Hustler's" Minnesota Fats, a pool hall scene with a player named South Dakota Slim.
There are even social commentary themes. Keenan Wynn's "Harvey Honeywagon" drops his crusade against the partying surfer crowd once he starts getting it on with Martha Hyer. The idea being that uptight people are just frustrated at not getting any action. Of course the writers don't let the surfer off completely, as their surfing-dancing-drag racing lifestyle offers so little challenge that a trained ape can beat them at their own games.
As to the soundtrack, highlights include a great title song with the opening credits, the earliest Stevie Wonder performance you are likely to see, some nice stuff by the great Donna Loren (including another parody element-this time a secret agent spoof), and the Beatles parody already mentioned.
The real beauty of the Potato Bug character is that he replaces about half the Frankie/Annette stuff usually found in these movies. It's still Frankie and Annette but this time the scenes have some actual entertainment value.
Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.
Come On, It's Great, Let's Go To Bikini Beach 
2005-08-09 - Franke and Annette are back, in this terrific '64 Beach Classic Bikini Beach. Are sharing the beach with "Potato Bug," a wacked out British singer who is just out of place, on the bikini filled beach. After the Potato Bug pitches his tent on the beach, he sends the girls swooning, including Annette. When Frankie gets jealous over this Potato Bug, he decides to win Annette back, and challengs the English mop head singer to a drag race. Setting the party into high gear, and a crazy drag race, at the end as usual Frankie And Avalon get back together, and have a great time. This is a great beach flick with surfing, speed, and romantic fun.
It`s good/ okay
2005-07-04 - They make this movie intresting by having a monkey in it. I mean I watched this movie a bunch of times it was kind of unintresting though. Lots of people will like this movie and lots won't. It depends who you are.
