For Those Who Think Young (film)

Plot

Rich kid and party animal Gardner Pruitt III (James Darren), known as “Ding” to his friends, is on the prowl for a new conquest in the form of teenager Sandy Palmer (Pamela Tiffin). In the meantime, Ding’s influential grandfather, B.S. Cronin (Robert Middleton) wants to curtail the romance and shut down a popular local college teen hangout.

Sandy’s guardians Sid Hoyt (Paul Lynde) and Woody Woodbury (playing himself) get mixed up in the proceedings, with Woody becoming the college kid’s hero at the hangout. That sends up a red flag to the college administration, which sends in Dr. Pauline Swenson to investigate allegations of underage drinking.

When the clever kids discover that ex-gangster Grandpa Cronin used to be a bootlegger, they blackmail him into keeping the club open.

Cast

James Darren ... Gardner 'Ding' Pruitt III
Pamela Tiffin ... Sandy Palmer
Paul Lynde... Uncle Sid Hoyt
Tina Louise ... Topaz McQueen
Bob Denver ... Kelp
Nancy Sinatra ... Karen Cross
Robert Middleton ... Burford B. Sanford 'Nifty' Cronin
Claudia Martin ... Sue Lewis
Ellen Burstyn ... Dr. Pauline Swenson (billed as Ellen McRae)
Woody Woodbury ... Uncle Woody Woodbury
Louis Quinn ... Gus Kestler
Sammee Tong ... Clyde
Jimmy Griffin ... Singer
George Raft ... Detective Lieutenant
Roger Smith ... Smitty the Detective
Addison Richards ... Dean Watkins
Paul 'Mousie' Garner ... Mousie
Benny Baker ... Lou
Anna Lee ... Laura Pruitt
Jack La Rue ... Cronin's Business Associate
Allen Jenkins ... Col. Leslie Jenkins
Robert Armstrong ... Norman Armstrong

Production

The film was made by Frank Sinatra's Essex Productions with director Leslie H. Martinson chosen for his fast-paced work on Warner Bros. Television as the film's production was just 18 days. All the beach scenes were shot at Mailbu Beach in one day. It featured the film debuts of Nancy Sinatra and Claudia Martin (daughter of Dean Martin) as well as a leading role for nightclub comedian Woody Woodbury, then the host of television's Who Do You Trust?.

Ellen Burstyn, who plays the part of Dr. Pauline Swenson, is listed in the credits as Ellen McRae, and famous surfer Mickey Dora is a college boy extra.

The white semi-convertible that James Darren's character drives is a radically styled stock $18,000 1963 Buick Riviera, designed by Burbank customizer George Barris originally to be his personal car.

The film was notable for extensive product placement for Pepsi Cola and several other companies, the title of the film being a Pepsi marketing slogan of the time.

Music

Jerry Fielding, later famous for his television themes, composed the score for the film.

Mack David and Jerry Livingston wrote "For Those Who Think Love," sung by James Darren over the opening credits.

Bob Denver sings "Ho Daddy, Surf's Up" and "Ho Daddy, Surf's Up (Reprise)."

Jimmy Griffin (later founder member of the 1970s band Bread), performs the song "I'm Gonna Walk All Over This Land," accompanied by Paul Johnson (of The Bel-Airs), Glen Grey and Richard Delvy (both of The Challengers).