Beach Party - Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello

My favorite Annette song is Pineapple Princess but i couldn't find a clip of it. I never saw any of these beach movies at the cinema as they weren't such a big deal in this country. The fact that Britain had only just ditched rationing and post war austerity was still in the air in the early 60's meant that British teens failed to equate with the Californian sun, sea and surf scene. Televisions hunger for material meant that they turned up as cheap filler on wet bank holidays and, although i know i shouldn't, i bloody love 'em.
Annette Funicello was the Britney of her day as she had been one of Walt Disney's mouseketeers. The song Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen is a tribute to her from her friend Neil Sedaka. Unfortunately in later life she suffered from m.s.and her last appearance - in the final reel of her own made for t.v. life story - she appears in a wheelchair.