This double feature showcases two of the best and most beloved of those relics of 1960s teenage decadence that are the Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello beach movies. In BEACH BLANKET BINGO (1965), Bonehead (Jody McCrea) falls in love with a mermaid; not-so-threatening biker Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) terrorizes the beach; Frankie skydives, surfs, and sings some songs; and Annette looks simply smashing in a two-piece. It's more beach party fun with HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI (1965). When Frankie goes on reserve duty, he fears his rival Ricky (Dwayne Hickman) will steal Annette away from him and so sends in the beautiful Cassandra (Beverly Adams), who immediately turns the whole beach town upside down. With supporting turns from Linda Evans, Don Rickles, and Paul Lynde--as well as cameos by screen legends Buster Keaton and Mickey Rooney--the two films provide a can't-miss time capsule from a simpler, and possibly better, time.
