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Deborah Walley
1941-2001
Updated 1/22/2010 with a new Photos Available section!
biography
Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on August 12, 1941, to parents who were professional ice skaters in Icecapades, as a child Deborah Walley was more interested in dramatics rather than skating, so her parents enrolled her in drama classes. In her teenage years she began getting good notices in off-Broadway stage productions, but her acting career took off when she was cast in the starring role in her first film, Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961; with James Darren). After her stint as Gidget, Walley then made a few Disney films, such as Bon Voyage! (1962; with Fred MacMurray and Tommy Kirk). However, she soon returned to beach party and youth-oriented films, most notably at American International (AIP), where she acted in a number of beach party genre movies. Walley starred in such films as Ski Party (1965; with Frankie Avalon and Yvonne Craig), Beach Blanket Bingo (1965; with Annette Funicello and John Ashley), The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966; with Tommy Kirk and Boris Karloff), and It's a Bikini World (1967; with Tommy Kirk). In addition, she also dabbled in singing, first doing numbers for Sergeant Deadhead (1965; with Frankie Avalon and Eve Arden) and Ski Party, which showcased her pleasant voice, and she eventually released a few singles.
LEFT: Campy Halloween promotional photo from 1965. RIGHT: Early 1970s photo
Walley married fellow AIP actor/director John Ashley on April 28, 1962, and their son, Anthony, was born on May 4, 1963. Walley and Ashley acted in a few pictures together, including Beach Blanket Bingo and Sergeant Deadhead, before they parted company in 1966. Walley remarried in November 1968 to drummer Chet McCracken, but this union lasted little more than a year.
the films of deborah walley
Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961)
From Columbia's Gidget Goes Hawaiian, Deborah Walley's first film. LEFT: With Michael Callan as Eddie. RIGHT: With James Darren, Michael Callan, and Vickie Trickett
Bon Voyage! (1962)
From the cute Disney movie Bon Voyage!. LEFT: With Tommy Kirk, Fred MacMurray, Kevin Corcoran, and Jane Wyman as the Willard family. RIGHT: With Michael Callan
The Young Lovers (1964)
With Nick Adams and Peter Fonda in the MGM college student drama The Young Lovers
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
Ski Party (1965)
The Bubble (1966)
From Arch Oboler's 3-D science fiction flick The Bubble with Michael Cole
Spinout (1966)
Walley portrays a drummer in Elvis Presley's band in MGM's musical Spinout. LEFT: Drummer Les cozies up to Elvis. RIGHT: With Jack Hawkins, Elvis Presley, and Jack Mullaney
It's a Bikini World (1967)
Benji (1974)
Walley with Christopher Connelly in the children's film Benji
later years
After making several more films and landing a starring role in the NBC sitcom series The Mothers-in-Law (1967-1969; with Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard), Walley remarried and cooled her acting career. However, on occasion she resurfaced in such films as The Severed Arm (1973; with Paul Carr and Marvin Kaplan) and Benji (1974; with Peter Breck); in addition, she did some TV guest shots in the 1980s. In 1993, Walley published the children's book Grandfather's Good Medicine, which is available from Amazon.com.
Walley looks remarkably youthful in this photo taken in Australia in 2000
In the late 1990s, Walley renewed her acting career and signed many photos at autograph conventions. Tragically, in late 2000 Walley was diagnosed with cancer and passed away on May 10, 2001, at the age of 59. She was survived by two sons.
Route 66: Complete First Season [DVD](1960) DVD
All 30 episodes from the series's debut season--including "Black November," "The Quick and the Dead," "An Absence of Tears," "Don't Count Stars," and "Incident on a Bridge"--are presented in an eight-disc set. 27 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English; featurette; TV spots. **30 episodes on 8 discs. 27 hrs.**
Route 66: Season One, Vol. 2 [DVD](1961) DVD
The final 15 episodes from the first season--including the two-part "Fly Away Home," "An Absence of Tears," "Don't Count Stars," "A Skill for Hunting," and "Incident on a Bridge"--are presented in a four-disc set. 14 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. **15 episodes on 4 discs. 14 hrs.**
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: The Third Season [DVD](1966) DVD
All 30 episodes from season three--including "Lies, Lies, Lies," "Gomer and the Little Men from Outer Space," "Go Blow Your Horn," "Lost, The Colonel's Daughter," and "Lou Ann Poovie Sings No More"--are collected in a five-disc set. 12 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. **30 episodes on 5 discs. 12 1/2 hrs.**
The Complete Gidget Collection [DVD] DVD
First, "Gidget" (1959) stars Sandra Dee as the young beach bunny who must choose between surfer boyfriends Cliff Robertson and James Darren. Arthur O'Connell, Doug McClure, Yvonne Craig co-star. Next, everyone's favorite surfin' girl (Deborah Walley) heads to Waikiki and finds fun and romance in "Gidget Goes Hawaiian" (1961). With James Darren, Michael Callan, Peggy Cass. And, finally, when the bubbly blonde prima donna of the ocean waves (Cindy Carol) takes the Eternal City by storm, it seems Moondoggie's got some competition from a suave Italian charmer, in the fluffy romantic misadventure "Gidget Goes to Rome" (1963). James Darren, Cesare Danova co-star. 299 min. total on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.
Bon Voyage! [DVD](1962) DVD
Harry Willard's (Fred MacMurray) dream vacation with his family in France was everything he expected and then some: he didn't count on his wife (Jane Wyman) having to dodge a relentless Hungarian admirer, his daughter (Deborah Walley) taking up with a young playboy, and his being lost in the Paris sewer system. 132 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish.
Summer Magic [DVD](1963) DVD
Delightful Disney family film, based on the book "Mother Carey's Chickens," about widow Dorothy McGuire and her children working to keep their family together in a small town in turn-of-the-century Maine. Hayley Mills, Eddie Hodges, Deborah Walley, and Burl Ives also star. 109 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono.
Muscle Beach Party (1964)/Ski Party [DVD](1965) DVD
Surf's up! Frankie and Annette sure have their hands full at a "Muscle Beach Party," as gym owner Don Rickles and his strongmen try to take over the beach, lovesick heiress Luciana Paluzzi tries to snare Frankie, and Little Stevie Wonder stops by to perform "Happy Street." With Morey Amsterdam, Buddy Hackett, Peter Lorre. Next, Frankie trades in his board for some slats and hits the slopes with Dwayne Hickman to find why their gals are swooning over ski bum Aron Kincaid. ..with the guys resorting to dressing up as girls! "Ski Party" also stars Deborah Walley, Yvonne Craig, Robert Q. Lewis, and musical guests James Brown and Lesley Gore. 186 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; theatrical trailers.
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)/How To Stuff A Wild Bikini [DVD](1965) DVD
The "Beach Party" gang is back in a double bill that's packed with more fun than a two-piece bathing suit. "Beach Blanket Bingo," a wild mix about a missing singing star, a mermaid, and biker Eric Von Zipper's gang, features guest stars Don Rickles, Paul Lynde, Buster Keaton, and Linda Evans joining series regulars Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon and Harvey Lembeck. Then, while Frankie is away on Army Reserve duty, he gets witch doctor Keaton to send a bikini-clad beauty to keep rival Dwayne Hickman away from Annette, in "How to Stuff a Wild Bikini." Beverly Adams, Mickey Rooney, and The Kingsmen also star. 192 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; theatrical trailers.
Frankie & Annette: M-G-M Movie Legends Collection [DVD] DVD
"Surf's up" in this four-disc boxed set saluting AIP's teen comedy series and seaside sweethearts Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. Anthropologist Bob Cummings uses the pair as part of a study of modern mating habits in the original "Beach Party" (1963), with Morey Amsterdam, Dorothy Malone, and Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper. Annette has her hands full when the Potato Bug, a British pop star who's Frankie's double, arrives at "Bikini Beach" (1964). Don Rickles and Little Stevie Wonder guest star. Gym owner Rickles wants to take over the kids' surf spot, and heiress Luciana Paluzzi wants to woo Frankie from Annette, in "Muscle Beach Party" (1964). Avalon trades his board for slats and joins Dwayne Hickman, Deborah Walley and James Brown for a "Ski Party" (1965). "Beach Blanket Bingo" (1965) boasts a missing singer, a mermaid, and skydiving surfdogs. Avalon wants to keep pal Hickman away from Funicello while he's on military duty in "How to Stuff a Wild Bikini" (1965), with Buster Keaton. Frankie's a moonshine-running hot rodder competing with racer Fabian for Annette's hand in "Fireball 500" (1966). And Fabian and Funicello burn rubber together in "Thunder Alley" (1967). 12 1/2 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English mono.
Spinout (1966)/Double Trouble [DVD](1967) DVD
With three women (a spoiled rich girl, a man-hungry author, and his band's drummer) out to snare him, racecar driver/singer Elvis Presley sure has his hands full in "Spinout." With Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, Deborah Walley, Carl Betz. 90 min. And, the "Double Trouble" that follows singer Presley around Europe in this breezy musical are a beautiful young heiress and some jewel thieves after both of them, but there's still plenty of time for him to do such songs as "Long-Legged Girl," "Could I Fall in Love?" and even "Old MacDonald"! With Annette Day, John Williams. 185 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; theatrical trailers.
Benji [DVD](1975) DVD
America's most huggable hero makes his screen debut, as marvelous mutt Benji finds a family to call his own, fights kidnappers, and even finds true love. Deborah Walley, Edgar Buchanan, and Higgins as Benji star; Charlie Rich sings the theme song. 87 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; scene access.
Benji Two-Pack [DVD] DVD
Two-disc boxed set includes "Benji" and "For the Love of Benji."
Good Against Evil (1977)/The Severed Arm [DVD](1973) DVD
A writer teams up with an exorcist priest to battle a heretical holy man and some devil-worshipping cultists who may be in league with Satan's daughter in "Good Against Evil," a pilot for an unmade TV series. Dack Rambo, Dan O'Herlihy, and, in an early role, Kim Cattrall star. Then, in "The Severed Arm," a group of men trapped in a cave must face the deadly consequences when they amputate and eat the limb of one of their comrades in order to survive. Deborah Walley, Paul Carr, David G. Cannon star. 173 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Great Cannibal Classics 3 On 1 [DVD] DVD
Includes "I Eat Your Skin," "The Severed Arm" starring Deborah Walley, and "The Undertaker and His Pals."
deborah walley dvds available from amazon.com
filmography
FILM
Benji (1974) with Peter Breck, Frances Bavier, Terry Carter, Edgar Buchanan, and Tom Lester
The Severed Arm (1973) with Paul Carr and Marvin Kaplan
Drag Racer (1971) with Jeremy Slate and Preston Pierce
The Bubble (1967) with Michael Cole
It's a Bikini World (1967) with Tommy Kirk, Sid Haig, and Suzie Kaye
Spinout (1966) with Elvis Presley, Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, Dodie Marshall, Jack Mullaney, and Will Hutchins
The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini (1966) with Tommy Kirk, Aron Kincaid, Quinn O'Hara, Patsy Kelly, Basil Rathbone, and Boris Karloff
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) with Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, John Ashley and Linda Evans
Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965) with Frankie Avalon, Dwayne Hickman, and Vincent Price
Sergeant Deadhead (1965) with Frankie Avalon, Eve Arden, Cesar Romero, John Ashley, and Donna Loren
Ski Party (1965) with Aron Kincaid, Frankie Avalon, Dwayne Hickman, Yvonne Craig, and Robert Q. Lewis
The Young Lovers (1964) with Peter Fonda and Nick Adams
Summer Magic (1963) with Hayley Mills, Burl Ives, Dorothy McGuire, Eddie Hodges, Michael J. Pollard, Peter Brown, and James Stacy
Bon Voyage! (1962) with Fred MacMurray, Tommy Kirk, Michael Callan, and Jane Wyman
Gidget Goes Hawaiian (1961) with James Darren, Michael Callen, Peggy Cass, and Vicki Trickett
TELEVISION SERIES
Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, 1989-1992 Walt Disney animated TV series. Walley provided the voice for various characters
The Mothers-In-Law, 1967-1969 NBC TV series. Walley portrayed Suzie Hubbard Buell. Also starring in the series were Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard.
TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
Baywatch, episode Baywatch Grand Prix, originally aired February 8, 1999
Simon & Simon, episode The Last Big Break, originally aired October 30, 1986
The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries, episode Mystery of the Avalanche Express, originally aired February 26, 1978
Love, American Style, episode Love and the Anxious Mama/Love and the Boomerang/Love and the Private Eye, originally aired January 28, 1972
The Virginian, episode With Love, Bullets and Valentines, originally aired October 7, 1970
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., episode Lies, Lies, Lies, originally aired June 24, 1966
Wagon Train, episode The Nancy Styles Story, originally aired November 22, 1964
The Greatest Show on Earth, episode This Train Don't Stop Till It Gets There, originally aired April 14, 1964
Burke's Law, episode Who Killed Andy Zygmunt?, originally aired March 13, 1964
Route 66, episode Ten Drops of Water, originally aired November 11, 1960
Naked City, episode To Walk In Silence, originally aired November 9, 1960
deborah walley links
Elvis' Women
Greg Altenberger's site is amazing! Click on the link above to go to his Elvis' Women site for more photographs and information regarding Deborah Walley, Julie Parrish, Debra Paget, and many more.
Elvis! The King and his Court features information not only about Elvis Presley and his films; it also covers Elvis' co-stars.
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This page premiered March 3, 1998.
Counter reset March 1, 2001.
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