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Beach Ball
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Wikipedia article
'Beach Ball' is a 1965 American beach party movie starring Edd Byrnes and partly financed by Roger Corman.Ed. J. Philip di Franco, 'The Movie World of Roger Corman', Chelsea House Publishers, 1979, p. 145
It features appearances by The Supremes and The Righteous Brothers.[http://www.cinemaretro.com/index.php?/archives/1596-TOM-LISANTI-RELIVING-THE-GUILTY-PLEASURE-OF-BEACH-BALL.html Tom Lisant, 'Reliving the Guilty Pleasure of Beach Ball', 'Cinema Retro' March 4, 2008]
Tom Lisanti called it "arguably the breeziest and most enjoyable 'Beach Party' clones. It is also the most blatant rip off."
Plot
Dick Martin manages a rock and roll group, The Wigglers (Bango, Jack and Bob). They are told by music store owner Mr Wolf that the group owes him $1,000 for their instruments and have to raise money. Martin tries to convince Susan, the credit union manager for a local college,
Cast
*Edd Byrnes as Dick Martin
*Chris Noel as Susan
*Robert Logan as Bango
*Gail Gilmore as Deborah
*Aron Kincaid as Jack
*Mikki Jamison as Augusta
*Don Edmonds as Bob
*Brenda Benet as Samantha
*Anna Lavelle as Polly
*James Wellman as Mr. Wolf
*The Supremes (Florence Ballard, Diana Ross and Mary Wilson)
*The Four Seasons
*The Righteous Brothers
*The Hondells
*The Walker Brothers
*Dick Miller as a cop
* Sid Haig as Drummer for Righteous Brothers (Uncredited role)
Production
The film was produced by Bart Patton, an actor who did some production work for Roger Corman. Corman gave him $100,000 to make a beach party movie, of which $22,000 was already earmarked to Edd Byrnes. Patton wanted to direct but Corman did not let him having already hired comic Lennie Weinrib to make his debut as director. (Patton and Weinrib would later form a production company.) Lisanti, p. 161
Stephanie Rothman worked on the movie as a production assistant, shooting second unit for the car chase scene with Aaron Kincaid. Gary Kurtz was assistant director.
In November 1964 Tommy Kirk was originally announced as male star along with Noel Edmonds.'Featured Roles', 'Los Angeles Times' 30 Nov 1964: C21. In December 1964 Chris Noel signed and Kirk was still attached.ilmland Events: Henry King to Film Story of Guadalupe
Los Angeles Times 3 Dec 1964: D9. Kirk eventually dropped out of the film and was replaced by Edd Byrnes.
Noel says Byrnes was "a jerk" during the making of the film although the two of them later became friends.Lisanti, p. 164
The Supremes were paid $2,500 to appear in the film. The Righteous Brothers got $500 and the Hondells $400.Lisanti, p. 166
Reception
Corman pre sold the film to Paramount for $350,000 and it made $1 million at the box office.
See also
*List of American films of 1965
References
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