How to Stuff a Wild Bikini

Synopsis

Frankie (Frankie Avalon) goes to Tahiti on Naval Reserve duty. While cavorting with local girls, Frankie realizes that Dee Dee (Annette Funicello) might be disloyal to him. When Frankie seeks help from a witch doctor (Buster Keaton), the witch doctor sends a sea beauty, Cassandra (Beverly Adams), to lure Ricky (Dwayne Hickman), an advertising exec, away from Dee Dee.

Upon Cassandra's arrival, the beach turns upside down, as all the surfers fall for her, an executive wants to make her a model, and Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) and his motorcycle gang add to the trouble.

Cast

Annette Funicello as Dee Dee

Dwayne Hickman as Ricky

Brian Donlevy as B. D. (Big Deal) McPherson

Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper

Beverly Adams as Cassandra

John Ashley as Johnny

Jody McCrea as Bonehead

Marianne Gaba as Animal

Len Lesser as North Dakota Pete

Irene Tsu as Native Girl

Arthur Julian as Dr. Melamed

Bobbi Shaw as Khola Koku

The Kingsmen as Themselves

Alberta Nelson as Puss

Buster Keaton as Bwana

Mickey Rooney as Peachy (J. Peachmont) Keane

Frankie Avalon as Frankie

Michele Carey as Michele

Elizabeth Montgomery as Bwana's daughter

Production

How to Stuff a Wild Bikini was the last "beach party" film to feature Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.

Avalon appears on-screen for about six minutes; his small role was attributed to the fact that he was filming another AIP production, 1965's Sergeant Deadhead.

Tommy Kirk was originally announced as the male lead but shortly before filming he was arrested for possession of marijuana. He was dropped from the movie and was replaced by Dwayne Hickman. Mickey Rooney agreed to play a supporting role at $5,000 for one week's work in order to pay off some tax debts.

Filming started in April 1965 and took 15 days. Annette Funicello was pregnant during shooting and was shot mostly wearing blousy tunics or with a prop in front of her (e.g., a bowl of popcorn, a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken).

The film features the only big screen appearance by The Kingsmen, who performed "Give Her Lovin' ".

Elizabeth Montgomery made a cameo appearance as Bwana's daughter who is known as 'The Witches Witch' at the end of the film. Montgomery appeared in a parody of the character she played in Bewitched, which was also directed by her then-husband, William Asher, who also served as director on the film.

The opening credits were done using clay animation done by Art Clokey, the creator of Gumby.

Reception

Variety called it a "lightweight affair lacking the breeziness and substance of earlier entries." The critic from the Los Angeles Times called the movie a "breezy number". The New York Times said it was "the answer to a moron's prayer".

Soundtrack

How To Stuff A Wild Bikini, the soundtrack for the film, was released in 1965. Most of the songs are performed by various cast members, with two numbers by The Kingsmen. The album was released in both mono (WDM 671) and stereo (WDS 671) versions, with the latter being very scarce. The stereo release was reissued on CD by Real Gone Music in July, 2014.

Track listing

All songs written by Guy Hemric & Jerry Styner except "Give Her Lovin' " by Lynn Easton. Songs are in slightly different order from the movie.

Production credits

Producer: American International

Publisher: DiJon Music

Liner notes: Joe Bogart and Frank Costa (WMCA Music Department)

DVD release

In 2001, How to Stuff a Wild Bikini was released by MGM on Region 1 DVD. Since its initial DVD release, the film has been included in two box sets, Frankie & Annette MGM Movie Legends Collection and Midnite Movies Double Feature, along with selected Beach Party films.