Pajama Party is a 1964 beach party film starring Tommy Kirk and Annette Funicello. This is the fourth in a series of seven beach films produced by American International Pictures. The other films in this series are Beach Party (1963), Muscle Beach Party (1964), Bikini Beach (1964), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965), and The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966).
This fourth entry has not always been considered a follow-up to the three films that preceded it, however, several sources have noted that, while not a proper sequel, it is indeed a part of what is now termed AIP’s ‘Beach Party series.’ Moreover, AIP marketed it as a sequel in its trailer, stating “The Bikini Beach Party Gang is Warming Up! – For the ‘Party’ that Takes Off – Where others Poop Out!” and “All the ‘Beach Party’ Fun … in Pajamas!” Additional links that tie this film to the others are the fact that Eric von Zipper and his Rat Pack (who previously appeared in Beach Party and Bikini Beach) are featured, as well as Candy Johnson playing the role of Candy for the fourth time in as many films. Regulars Frankie Avalon, Don Rickles, Annette Funicello, Jody McCrea and Donna Loren all appear (albeit with character name changes - not the first time this happens in the series, nor the last); Susan Hart makes the first of three appearances in the AIP brand of the genre, Buster Keaton makes the first of four appearances, and Bobbi Shaw makes the first appearance of five. In addition, several background players in this film (Patti Chandler, Mary Hughes, Johnny Fain, Mike Nader, Salli Sachse, Luree Holmes, Ronnie Dayton, Ed Garner, Ray Atkinson, Linda Benson, and Laura Nicholson) also appear in three or more films in the AIP brand of the genre.
Plot
A Martian teenager named Gogo (Tommy Kirk) is sent to Earth in an usher's uniform to prepare the way for an invasion from Mars. The first Earthling he meets, one Aunt Wendy, is an eccentric rich widow who runs a dress shop. She immediately decks out Gogo - now known as George - in a swimsuit and sends him out to the beach. Her nephew, Big Lunk (Jody McCrea), is a volleyball-loving guy with little interest in romance, which causes frustration for his girlfriend Connie (Annette Funicello).
Meanwhile, Aunt Wendy's shady neighbor J. Sinister Hulk (Jesse White) and his gang (including Buster Keaton as Chief Rotten Eagle and Bobbi Shaw as Swedish bombshell Helga) concoct a scheme to part Aunt Wendy from her cash. In addition, Eric von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck) and his Rat Pack, the local motorcycle gang, want revenge on the teenagers. George and Connie began to fall for each other, Big Lunk falls for Helga, and, for the fourth time in as many movies, a giant fight breaks out at the end.
Production notes
Director
Pajama Party is one of only two Beach Party films not directed by William Asher. Pajama Party and The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini were both directed by Don Weis.
Cast
Teri Garr (aka "Teri Hope") and Toni Basil both can be seen in the film - they are listed in the end credits as "Pajama Girls". Frankie Avalon appears in the film in all the scenes with Don Rickles, but only the back of Avalon's head is seen until the final moments. During the entire Beach Party Series, this was the one and only time Donna Loren was seen in a speaking role. Celebrity Dorothy Kilgallen's son, Kerry Kolmar, had a recurring role throughout the film as a little boy who declares disgustedly "Mush!" whenever he spies romance in action. Kilgallen herself has a tiny cameo as a woman who falls on J.D.'s motorcycle during the car chase sequence - she introduces herself saying, "My name is Dorothy - what's yours?" Cheryl Sweeten, who was the 1963 Miss Colorado and played "Francine" in this film, only made this one movie, yet received prominent billing in the end credits.
Locations
The studio backlot used for the car chase sequence is the Warner Bros. Ranch Facility in Burbank - the same one used for the car chase sequence in Bikini Beach. The beach used for the volleyball scenes and Donna Loren's "Among the Young" song is Surfrider Beach in Malibu.
Music
Guy Hemric and Jerry Styner wrote all the songs heard in the film, and several melodies were picked up and used for the the film’s score by composer Les Baxter. The music supervisor was Al Simms.
Annette Funicello performs "It's That Kind of Day," with the cast; and also sings “Stuffed Animal” as well as the title track.
Funicello and Tommy Kirk sing “There Has to Be a Reason; " Dorothy Lamour sings "Where Did I Go Wrong;" and Donna Loren sings “Among the Young.”
The Los Angeles-based band The Nooney Rickett 4 (who appeared in Columbia's beach party knock-off, Winter A Go-Go the following year) play backup for “Among the Young,” and are shown playing backup for “Pajama Party.” The band also performs an instrumental version of “Among the Young” in the film, titled "Beach Ball," and are shown performing an instrumental of "It's That Kind of Day."
Cast
External links
