clambake

the year: 1967

the genre: elvis musical


the cast: Elvis Presley (Scott Hayward/"Tom Wilson"); Shelley Farbares (Dianne Carter); Will Hutchins (Tom Wilson/"Scott Hayward"); Bill Bixby (James J. Jamison III)



the plot: Scott Hayward (who's tired of woman fawning over him because he's rich) meets Tom Wilson (who's on his way to his new job as a water skiing instructor at a Miami resort). They envy each other and decide to switch places. Scott meets Dianne (who is trying to land a rich guy) and when playboy James Jamison catches her eye, she asks Scott to help her snag him. Scott agrees to but, of course, finds himself attracted to her. If that weren't enough drama, Scott also decides to build a boat for the upcoming speedboat race but he's using an experimental chemical which doesn't hold in water - oh the humanity!


don't miss: the fantastic special effects when anyone water skis.



count: the oil wells surrounding Miami.


watch for: a cameo appearance by Flipper.


listen for: "I call karate!" "Oh, shut up." (insert punch here.)



also don't miss: the rainbow ribbon pants (see above - far right). I want a pair. Badly.



extra bonus points: if you know what's wrong with the electric guitar Elvis plays during the song "Clambake".




also listen for: "And I'm Hortense Finkeldopper."

girl happy

the year: 1965

the genre: Elvis (isn't that it's own genre?)...ok, musical


the cast: Elvis Presley (Rusty Wells); Shelley Fabares (Valerie); Harold J. Stone (Big Frank); Gary Grosby (Andy); Joby Baker (Wilbur); Jimmy Hawkins (Doc); Nita Talbot (Sunny Daze); Mary Ann Mobley (Deena); Fabrizio Miioni (Romano); Chris Noel (Betsy); Lyn Edington (Laurie); Gail Gilmore (Nancy)


the plot: After completing their gig at a Chicago nightclub, Rusty Wells and his band (shocker!) plan to spend Easter week in Fort Lauderdale entertaining college students. Big Frank, the owner of the nightclub, decides to waive his option to hold the group in Chicago when he learns that his daughter Valerie plans to vacation in Fort Lauderdale. He sends the group to Florida with the understanding that they keep a close watch on his daughter. While in Fort Lauderdale, Rusty and the combo find that most of their time is devoted to keeping Val out of trouble. To relieve the other band members of their commitment to Big Frank, Rusty offers to assume responsibility for her. All goes well until Valerie learns of Rusty's bargain with her father.


count: how many college kids are staying at the Seadrift Motel.



don't miss: the poor hotel manager.




watch for: how the boat ends up in the hotel pool.




listen for: my favorite Elvis movie soundtrack.

Maybe your yen is for tennis courts / Maybe romancing is in your thoughts / Enjoy all outdoor and indoor sports / Through the courtesy of the Fort Lauderdale Chamber Of Commerce



also listen for: Flip, flop with ki-eye / What a cutie pie I see / Oops shoopa doo-wah / Lips of honey that's for me




extra bonus points: if you can name the character Joby Baker (second from the left in the car pic up top) plays in Blackbeard's Ghost.

ride the wild surf

the year: 1964

the genre: surfing


the cast: Fabian (Jody Wallis); Shelley Fabares (Brie Matthews); Peter Brown (Chase Colton); Barbara Eden (Augusta “Augie” Poole); Tab Hunter (Steamer Lane); Susan Hart (Lily Kilua); James Mitchum (Eskimo)



the plot: Jody, Steamer and Chase--three sufing buddies--travel to the north shore of Oahu where surfers from all over the world have gathered. Waimea Bay is the site of the competition which is the testing ground for surfer courage. Chase Colton is a preppy, college boy from a wealthy family who tends to be cautious and uptight. He meets his match in Augie Poole who makes it her mission to loosen him up. Jody Wallis is a self-described surf bum, disillusioned with his parents, college and life in general. After only a week of college he gave up his dream of being a marine biologist and took to the surf full time. Brie tries to convince him to return to school. Steamer is a hardworking, reliable, blue collar kind of guy. When he sees Lily on the beach on her horse, he's in love. The problem? Her mother hates surfers. The surfing footage is great – and so is the scenery of 1960s Hawaii.





count: the number of different swimsuits owned by Augie and Brie.




don’t miss: Augie’s plans for New Year’s Eve.

check out: Robert Mitchum’s son James as Eskimo.




listen for: “Miss Poole, I should like to take this opportunity to inform you that this is the last clean shirt I have.”




also listen for: “Isn’t he wonderful? I can almost understand why he doesn’t do anything but surf.”





extra bonus points: if you can name the Disney movie that starred Peter Brown and Hayley Mills.