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Frankie Avalon
1940-
Updated 4/22/2008 with more films available on DVD!
biography
Born Francis Avallone in Philadelphia on September 18, 1940, Frankie Avalon first came to the attention of American Bandstand's Dick Clark while still in high school. He cut his first album in 1958 but had been making recordings for several years prior to that---primarily as a trumpeter, not a singer. Between 1958 and 1962, Frankie Avalon charted 13 singles in the Billboard Top 40, including two Number 1 hits: Venus was Number 1 for five weeks in early 1959, and Why shot to Number 1 in early 1960.
LEFT: Early 1960s publicity photo of Frankie Avalon. RIGHT Avalon with frequent co-star Annette Funicello
Avalon entered films while still a teenager in the Warner Bros. western Guns of the Timberland (1959; with Alan Ladd and Gilbert Roland). In the 1960s, Avalon put his singing career on the back burner in favor of his acting career. Some of his films from this period include Panic in Year Zero (1962; with Ray Milland and Jean Hagen), Beach Party (1963; with Annette Funicello and Dorothy Malone), and The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967; with George Nader and Shirley Eaton). Avalon is best known for the Beach Party series of films; he appeared in six of the seven AIP entries in this genre.
the films of frankie avalon
Panic in Year Zero! (1962)
From the AIP science fiction thriller Panic in Year Zero with Ray Milland
Drums of Africa (1963)
From the MGM adventure Drums of Africa with Lloyd Bochner
Frankie Avalon in his dual role in Bikini Beach
LEFT: Avalon in an ad for Muscle Beach Party. RIGHT: Avalon and Annette Funicello in a still from the film. The second of the seven beach party films, Muscle Beach Party finds the gang fighting for the right to cavort on the beach. Their adversary is a team of muscle men, led by Peter Lupus along with Larry Scott
Ski Party (1965)
From AIP's Ski Party with Bobbi Shaw, Dwayne Hickman, and Robert Q. Lewis. While this film has the feel and cast of a beach party film, but this one takes place at a ski resort. The cast also features Deborah Walley and Yvonne Craig as the love interests of Frankie and Dwayne Hickman
From AIP's Beach Blanket Bingo. LEFT: With Annette Funicello, Mike Nader, Jody McCrea, and Linda Evans. RIGHT: With Annette Funicello, John Ashley, and Deborah Walley. This marks the last beach party film in which Avalon has a major role, although he does appear briefly in How to Stuff a Wild Bikini
Sergeant Dead Head (1965)
From the AIP comedy Sergeant Dead Head with Harvey Lembeck and John Ashley
I'll Take Sweden (1965)
With Jeremy Slate in the United Artists comedy release I'll Take Sweden
The Patty Duke Show (1963-1966 ABC TV Series)
With Patty Duke in a 1965 episode of The Patty Duke Show
The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967)
Avalon is secret agent Tommy Carter in the AIP crime thriller The Million Eyes of Sumuru
Horror House (1970)
Avalon stars in the AIP horror flick Horror House
Back to the Beach (1987)
From the beach comedy Back to the Beach with Tommy Hinkley, Lori Loughlin, and Annette Funicello
frankie avalon today
Since 1962, Avalon has been married to wife Kay, and the Avalons have eight children. Today, Avalon tends to his health products business and occasionally makes film or television appearances. Visit the Frankie Avalon Products web site for more information.
The Frankie & Annette 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.
Groucho Marx: You Bet Your Life: The Best Episodes [DVD] DVD
Eighteen of the greatest episodes from Groucho's legendary game show--including the first appearance of the program's trademark duck--are highlighted in this three-disc set. Along with his timeless wit, this collection features guest stars Phyllis Diller, Edgar and Candice Bergen, Joe Louis, Johnny Weissmuller, Frankie Avalon, Harpo Marx, and Groucho's daughter, Melinda. Also included are three rare pilots starring Marx, including the never-before-seen "The Plot Thickens." 9 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English; bloopers; outtakes.
Jamboree [DVD](1957) DVD
"Boy pop singer meets girl pop singer" is the basic plot for this early rock 'n' roll musical, but the main reasons to watch are vintage performances by Fats Domino ("Wait and See"), Jerry Lee Lewis ("Great Balls of Fire"), Carl Perkins ("Glad All Over"), Philly's own Charlie Gracie, and even Count Basie and Slim Whitman! Bob Pastine and Kay Medford (whose singing voice was dubbed by Connie Francis) star. AKA: "Disc Jockey Jamboree." 86 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; theatrical trailer.
The Alamo [DVD](1960) DVD
Rousing battle scenes and some larger-than-life heroes highlight director/star John Wayne's thrilling salute to Texas' battle for independence from Mexico and the fateful last stand at the Alamo. Wayne plays Davy Crockett, with Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie, Laurence Harvey as William Travis, and Richard Boone as Sam Houston. 162 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; "making of" documentary; theatrical trailer.
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea (Global Warming Edition) [DVD](1961) DVD
When the Van Allen radiation belt that encircles the globe suddenly catches fire and threatens to destroy all life on Earth, the super-submarine Seaview embarks on a dangerous mission to extinguish the flames and save mankind from extinction. Travelling undersea in the nuclear-powered vessel, the brave crew must survive oceanic horrors--including a giant octopus!--and stop a saboteur in their midst before they can help avert certain doom. Walter Pidgeon, Joan Fontaine, Barbara Eden, and Frankie Avalon star in Irwin Allen's sci-fi epic. 106 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital Surround 4.0, Dolby Digital Surround, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; art gallery; audio commentary; featurettes; interview; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
Panic In Year Zero (1962)/The Last Man On Earth [DVD](1964) DVD
First, Ray Milland directed and stars in "Panic in Year Zero," a powerful "day after" drama about a Los Angeles family on vacation when a nuclear war begins. Taking refuge in a remote mountain cave, they must fight roving marauders to stay alive. Jean Hagen, Frankie Avalon, Mary Mitchel co-star. AKA: "End of the World." Then, Vincent Price stars as "The Last Man on Earth," the one human unaffected by a mysterious plague that has turned the world's population into diseased vampires. A frightening horror epic, based on Richard Matheson's "I Am Legend" and remade as "The Omega Man." With Franca Bettoia and Emma Danieli. 179 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; featurette.
Beach Party (1963)/Bikini Beach [DVD](1964) DVD
The first entry in A.I.P.'s surfside slapstick series, "Beach Party" stars Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello as fun-loving teens who become the subject of anthropologist Bob Cummings' research into adolescent mating rituals. With Morey Amsterdam, Dorothy Malone, Dick Dale and The Del-Tones, and Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper. Next, Frankie plays himself and mop-topped British pop idol the Potato Bug (get it?)--and both are vying for Annette's attention--in "Bikini Beach," co-starring Don Rickles, Keenan Wynn, Little Stevie Wonder, and Boris Karloff. 198 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; theatrical trailers.
Dr. Goldfoot And The Bikini Machine [DVD](1965) DVD
Mad scientist Vincent Price has constructed an army of beautiful bikini-clad robots as part of his scheme to control the world's richest men, and only bumbling secret agents Frankie Avalon and Dwayne Hickman can stop him in this wild sci-fi spy spoof. With a cameo by Annette Funicello and a title song by The Supremes. 89 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Spanish Dolby Digital mono; theatrical trailer. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
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.
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.
I'll Take Sweden [DVD](1965) DVD
Overprotective dad Bob Hope gets transferred to Sweden in order to stop the romance between daughter Tuesday Weld and rock-'n'-roller Frankie Avalon. But soon she's romanced by a suave playboy, so Bob invites Frankie overseas to stop the liaison. Lively, music-filled comedy co-stars Dina Merrill, Jeremy Slate, and The Vulcanes. 97 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
Fireball 500 (1966)/Thunder Alley [DVD](1967) DVD
Running moonshine through a small town on his way to Daytona, bootlegger Frankie Avalon competes with hot-headed local race car driver Fabian for the affections of Annette Funicello while evading a group of federal agents. The fast-paced comedic actioner "Fireball 500" also stars Chill Wills, Harvey Lembeck. Then, in "Thunder Alley," stock car racer Fabian is forced to retire after a blackout on the track leads to the death of another driver. Taking a job with Jan Murray's "thrill circus," he teaches Funicello and boyfriend Warren Berlinger to race, but when Fabian's old girlfriend causes friction between the trio, he must get back behind the wheel and overcome his affliction in this rubber-burning thriller from director Richard Rush ("The Stunt Man"). 181 min. total. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French.
Grease (Rockin' Rydell Edition) [DVD](1978) DVD
Get out your poodle skirts and penny loafers and get ready to rock 'n' roll with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the hit screen rendition of the Broadway musical look at '50s high school life. Songs include "Greased Lightning," "Summer Nights," "You're the One That I Want" and the title track; with Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Didi Conn, Eve Arden. 110 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo Surround, French Dolby Digital stereo Surround; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; featurettes; deleted scenes; extended scenes; interviews; photo gallery; theatrical trailers.
Pee-wee's Playhouse Christmas Special [DVD](1988) DVD
"Ho ho ho" is today's secret word, and you're all invited to the playhouse for a holiday funfest with Pee-wee Herman, his regular cast of crazies from his hit TV show, and such special guest stars as Little Richard, Joan Rivers, Charo, Dinah Shore, Frankie and Annette, k.d. lang, and even Santa himself. 49 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; audio commentary.
Troop Beverly Hills [DVD](1989) DVD
New den mother Shelley Long pampers her daughter's Wilderness Girls troop with shopping trips and expeditions in the L.A. lifestyle in this outrageous comedy. With Betty Thomas, Craig T. Nelson. 106 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English, French; theatrical trailers.
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frankie avalon cds available from amazon.com
filmography
FILM:
Casino (1995)
The Annette Funicello Story (1995)
The Stoned Age (1994)
Troop Beverly Hills (1989) with Shelley Long
Back to the Beach (1987) with Annette Funicello, Connie Stevens, Lori Loughlin, and Tommy Hinkley
Blood Song (1982) with Richard Jaeckel and Dane Clark
Grease (1978) with John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Dinah Manoff, and Eve Arden
The Take (1974) with Billy Dee Williams, Eddie Albert, Sorrell Brooke, Vic Morrow, and A Martinez
Horror House (1969) with Jill Haworth and Dennis Price
Skidoo (1969) with Jackie Gleason, Carol Channing, Fred Clark, Frank Gorshin, John Phillip Law, and Groucho Marx
The Million Eyes of Sumuru (1967) with George Nader, Shirley Eaton, Patti Chandler, Klaus Kinski, and Salli Sachse
Fireball 500 (1966) with Julie Parrish, Annette Funicello, Fabian, Harvey Lembeck, and Chill Wills
I'll Take Sweden (1965) with Bob Hope, Tuesday Weld, Dina Merrill, Jeremy Slate, and Beverly Powers
Ski Party (1965) with Dwayne Hickman, Yvonne Craig, Deborah Walley, Bobbi Shaw, Aron Kincaid, and Robert Q. Lewis
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) with Annette Funicello, Deborah Walley, Harvey Lembeck, John Ashley, Jody McCrea, Donna Loren, Marta Kristen, Linda Evans, Don Rickles, and Paul Lynde
Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965) with Vincent Price, Dwayne Hickman, Susan Hart, Jack Mullaney, Fred Clark, and
Deborah Walley
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965) with Dwayne Hickman, Annette Funicello, Brian Donlevy, Harvey Lembeck, Beverly Adams, John Ashley, Jody McCrea, Bobbi Shaw, and Buster Keaton
Sergeant Deadhead (1965) with John Ashley, Deborah Walley, Eve Arden, Cesar Romero, Fred Clark, Gale Gordon, Harvey Lembeck, and Donna Loren
Pajama Party (1964) with Tommy Kirk, Jody McCrea, Annette Funicello, Elsa Lanchester, Harvey Lembeck, Jesse White Donna Loren, Susan Hart, Bobbi Shaw, Candy Johnson, Buster Keaton, and Dorothy Lamour
Bikini Beach (1964) with Annette Funicello, Martha Hyer, Keenan Wynn, Jody McCrea, Don Rickles, Harvey Lembeck, John Ashley, Candy Johnson, Meredith MacRae, and Donna Loren
Muscle Beach Party (1964) with Annette Funicello, John Ashley, Peter Lupus, Jody McCrea, Luciana Paluzzi, Don Rickles, Donna Loren, Dick Dale, and Candy Johnson
Beach Party (1963) with Robert Cummings, Dorothy Malone, John Ashley, Jody McCrea, Annette Funicello, Harvey Lembeck, and Yvette Vickers
Drums of Africa (1963) with Lloyd Bochner, Mariette Hartley, and Peter Mamakos
Operation Bikini (1963) with Tab Hunter, Scott Brady, Jim Backus, Gary Crosby, and Jody McCrea
Panic in Year Zero (1962) with Ray Milland, Jean Hagen, and Richard Garland
The Castilian (1962) with Cesar Romero, Broderick Crawford, and Fernando Rey
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961) with Robert Sterling, Barbara Eden, Walter Pidgeon, Joan Fontaine, Peter Lorre, and Michael Ansara
Sail a Crooked Ship (1961) with Robert Wagner, Dolores Hart, Carolyn Jones, Ernie Kovacs, Frank Gorshin, Jesse White, and Harvey Lembeck
The Alamo (1960) with John Wayne, Richard Widmark, Laurence Harvey, Patrick Wayne, Linda Cristal, Joan O'Brien, Chill Wills, and Ken Curtis
Alakazam the Great (1960)
Guns of the Timberland (1959) with Alan Ladd, Gilbert Roland, Jeanne Crain, Lyle Bettger, and Noah Beery Jr.
Jamboree (1957) with Kay Medford and Paul Carr
TELEVISION
Burke's Law, episode Who Killed the World's Greatest Chef?, originally aired March 21, 1995
Full House, episode Joey Goes Hollywood, originally aired March 29, 1991
Happy Days, episode Poohba Doo Dah, originally aired January 26, 1982
Here's Lucy, episode The Carters Meet Frankie Avalon, originally aired November 19, 1973
It Takes a Thief, episode A Friend in Deed, originally aired November 27, 1969
The Lucille Ball Show, episode Lucy and the Starmaker, originally aired October 2, 1967
The Patty Duke Show, episode ?, originally aired August 23, 1965
Rawhide, episode Incident at Farragut Pass, originally aired October 31, 1963
frankie avalon links
Frankie Avalon Products
This is Avalon's own site, in which he discusses and advertises his successful line of health products.
Click on the logo to go back to Brian's Drive-In Theater
This page premiered May 28, 1999.
Counter reset March 1, 2001.
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