Ski Party (1965)

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

"Todd Armstrong" (Frankie Avalon) and "Craig Gamble" (Dwayne Hickman) are two college roommates who aren't having any luck with two girls they like named "Linda Hughes" (Deborah Walley) and "Barbara Norris" (Yvonne Craig) respectively. So they decide to go on a ski trip in order to stay close to them. Unfortunately, they continue to strike out and unable to figure out why they decide to shift gears and put a new plan into motion. Now rather than reveal any more of the story and risk ruining the film for those who haven't seen it I will just say that this film has a direct relationship to the beach movies of this particular time. That said people who weren't alive during this time or haven't seen any of the beach movies produced in the early 60's probably won't appreciate the music or the comedy. But make no mistake the music was pretty good and I thought some of the scenes were quite funny as well. Likewise, I thought both Bobbi Shaw (as "Nita Elksberg") and the aforementioned Yvonne Craig certainly helped in the scenery department. In any case, I enjoyed this film and rate it as slightly above average.

Little did I know the beach blanket movie genre had a spin-off that took place on snow instead of sandy beaches. I kick myself after watching one of these flicks because I should know better, but I'm trying to be a well rounded movie watcher for the purpose of these reviews. I kind of get the Frankie Avalon team up with Dwayne Hickman, but gee, who did Annette tick off to warrant a mere cameo here? I didn't understand that one at all.You need a reason to tune in to this one? It would be Lesley Gore singing one of her minor hits "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows", and at the other end of the musical spectrum, James Brown belting out "I Feel Good". I'm a little surprised actually that Brown didn't screw himself into the floor with the gyrating footwork, man it was hard to keep up with. And you know something, I can't even remember him ever being backed up by The Flames. So at least I learned something today.As for the story, don't even ask. Frankie Avalon had no qualms inquiring about the average audience age for this flick, so when his partner answered '15', that said it all. Actually, Dwayne Hickman put everything in perspective when as his female character Nora, he stated to Jane (also Avalon), "Listen, have a piece of fruit. You'll feel better." That's the best advice for this movie I can think of.

Like so many "beach movies," and variations of them, I first saw this one when it was pretty CLOSE to new. It's easy to jump on it for being a "Some Like It Hot" rip-off, forgetting that the men-disguised-as-women joke has probably been going on FOREVER. Even though it's considered the masterpiece, SLIH didn't INVENT the idea. (And, this movie even acknowledges that one in one little line.) This one has some genuinely clever moments (though I wouldn't care that much if it DIDN'T). There's the carefully set-up joke that ends in front of the gas station with the line " 17 cents worth of regular" (you have to see the whole thing for yourself). And the moment where Dwayne Hickman "breaks the fourth wall" in a pretty original way - "Look, nothing's going to happen for a few minutes. Why don't you go get a coke or something?" And of course the cameos (which you usually expect from these movies) - Annette Funicello herself as Frankie and Dwayne's professor (!), and Dick Miller.

Even by the usual leave-your-brain-at-the-door-and-have-a-good-time standards of the beach party movies, this movie REEKS!The actors all deserve purple hearts of valor for even leaving this one on their resumes! Watch the film only to catch rare film appearances by James Brown and Lesley Gore.