''Ski Party'' is a 1965 American musical-comedy film directed by

Alan Rafkin Alan Rafkin (born Alfred Irwin Rafkin; July 23, 1928 – August 6, 2001) was an American director, producer, and actor for television. Biography Rafkin was born in New York City to Til and Victor Rafin. He attended Admiral Farragut Acade ...

and starring

Frankie Avalon Francis Thomas Avallone (born September 18, 1940), better known as Frankie Avalon, is an American actor, singer, and former teen idol. He had 31 charting U.S. ''Billboard'' singles from 1958 to late 1962, including number one hits, "Venus" an ...

and

Dwayne Hickman Dwayne Bernard Hickman (May 18, 1934 – January 9, 2022) was an American actor and television executive, producer and director, who worked as an executive at CBS and had also briefly recorded as a vocalist. Hickman portrayed Chuck MacDonald, Bo ...

. It was released by

American International Pictures American International Pictures (AIP) is an American motion picture production label of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. In its original operating period, AIP was an independent film production and distribution company known for producing and releasing fi ...

(AIP). ''Ski Party'' is considered as a beach party film spin-off, with a change of setting from the beach to the ski slopes – although the final scene places everyone back at the beach.

Plot

Todd Armstrong (Avalon) and Craig Gamble (Hickman) are college undergraduates from California who unsuccessfully date co-eds Linda Hughes (

Deborah Walley Deborah Walley (August 12, 1941May 10, 2001) was an American actress noted for playing the title role in ''Gidget Goes Hawaiian'' (1961) and appearing in several beach party films. Early years Walley was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Ice ...

) and Barbara Norris (

Yvonne Craig Yvonne Joyce Craig (May 16, 1937 – August 17, 2015) was an American actress and ballerina, who was renowned for her role as Batgirl in the 1960s television series '' Batman''. Other notable roles in her career include Dorothy Johnson in the 196 ...

). Arrogant, handsome, athletic classmate Freddie (

Aron Kincaid Aron Kincaid (born Norman Neale Williams II; June 15, 1940 – January 6, 2011) was an American actor, known for voicing Killer Croc on '' Batman: The Animated Series'' and Sky Lynx on '' The Transformers''. He also voiced characters for ''T ...

) has no such problems and chooses not to resist all the women chasing after him. As president of the Ski Club, Freddie organizes a midterm vacation trip to ski country (in

Sawtooth National Forest Sawtooth National Forest is a National Forest that covers 2,110,408 acres (854,052 ha) in the U.S. states of Idaho (~96 percent) and Utah (~4 percent). Managed by the U.S. Forest Service in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it was originally ...

) in Idaho. Although they know nothing about skiing, Todd and Craig follow Linda and Barbara on this bus trip to try to learn "the secret of Freddie's technique". Once at the rustic ski resort, Todd and Craig pose as frumpy, non-threatening, young English women, Jane and Nora. When not interrupted by a mysterious ice-skating, yodeling polar bear or toying with psychologically imbalanced and

lederhosen Lederhosen (; , ; singular in German usage: ''Lederhose'') are short or knee-length leather breeches that are worn as traditional garments in some regions of German-speaking countries. The longer ones are generally called ''Bundhosen'' or ''Kni ...

-clad lodge manager Mr. Pevney (

Robert Q. Lewis Robert Q. Lewis (born Robert Goldberg; April 25, 1921 – December 11, 1991) was an American radio and television personality, comedian, game show host, and actor. Lewis added the middle initial "Q" to his name accidentally on the air in 1942, ...

), they observe the girls in their group to learn how to succeed with women and learn how they have gone wrong. To make Linda jealous, Todd attracts the attention of gorgeous, curvy Swedish ski instructor Nita (

Bobbi Shaw Bobbie Shaw Chance (born Barbara Shisoff; September 16, 1943) is an actress best known for her appearances in American International Pictures' beach party movies of the 1960s. Biography Shaw was a singer and dancer in Las Vegas. She was spotted by ...

) when he's dressed as himself. However, Freddie becomes obsessed with Craig when Craig is dressed as a woman, not accustomed to girls who play "hard to get". Nita persuades Todd, over Freddie's goading, to compete in a ski jump against Freddie. Todd's jump forces Craig to shoot him down, resulting in a broken leg. Todd crawls through miles of deep snow late at night with his broken leg covered in a plaster cast, to Nita's house. Toting a bottle, he learns that Nita is not the exotic minx she pretends to be, but aspires to be treated like an "American girl", that is, with much "talk" and little "action". Back at the lodge, Freddie, still obsessed with Craig's "female" Nora tries to break down Nora's room door. Stuck inside, Todd and Craig contemplate their next move as they escape through a window. Somehow, they hail a taxi and rack up an enormous fare to Santa Monica, California. Freddie follows on a moped that is piloted by fur-coated lodge manager Pevney. The rest of the group abruptly ends its spring break and follows behind on the bus. Todd, Linda, Craig, and Barbara arrive, with the rest of the group and Pevney, at Todd's parents' beachfront house. There, the two couples share their true feelings, and the boys surprise the girls with their ruse. Delusional Freddie runs into the Pacific Ocean, calling to his beloved Nora, after Craig tells him that when she heard Freddie was coming, she started swimming: By now, she is "somewhere between here and Japan." Craig encourages Freddie to hurry; maybe he can catch her "somewhere near Guam". "Pretty mean thing to do," Craig says to the audience, reassuring us that they will tell Freddie everything tomorrow. "If he comes back..."

Cast

as Todd Armstrong *

as Craig Gamble *

as Linda Hughes *

as Barbara Norris *

as Mr. Pevney *

as Nita Elksberg *

as Freddie Carter *

The Hondells The Hondells were an American surf rock band. Their cover of the Beach Boys' "Little Honda" went to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1964. History The Hondells were a band manufactured by Gary Usher, originally consisting of session musician ...

as themselves * Steven Rogers as Gene * Patti Chandler as Janet *

Michael Nader Michael Nader (February 19, 1945 – August 23, 2021) was an American actor, known for his roles as Dex Dexter on the ABC primetime soap opera ''Dynasty'' from 1983 to 1989, and Dimitri Marick on the ABC daytime soap opera '' All My Children'' ...

as Bobby * Salli Sachse as Indian * John Boyer as John * Mikki Jamison as Mikki *

Mickey Dora Miklos Sandor Dora III (August 11, 1934 – January 3, 2002), known professionally as Miki Dora was a noted surfer of the 1950s and 1960s in Malibu, California. Dora received numerous nicknames and aliases during his life, including "Mickey Dor ...

as Mickey * Mary Hughes as Mary * Bill Sampson as Arthur * Luree Holmes as Luree *

Lesley Gore Lesley Sue Goldstein (May 2, 1946 – February 16, 2015), known professionally as Lesley Gore, was an American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist. At the age of 16, she recorded the pop music, pop hit "It's My Party (Lesley Gore song), I ...

as herself *

James Brown James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. The central progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th century music, he is often referred to by the honor ...

The Famous Flames The Famous Flames were an American Rhythm and blues, Soul vocal group founded in Toccoa, Georgia, in 1953 by Bobby Byrd. James Brown first began his career as a member of the Famous Flames, emerging as the lead singer by the time of their first ...

(

Bobby Byrd Bobby Howard Byrd (August 15, 1934 – September 12, 2007) was an American rhythm and blues, soul and funk singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, bandleader and talent scout, who played an integral and important part in the development ...

, Bobby Bennett, and Lloyd Stallworth) as themselves Cast notes *

Annette Funicello Annette Joanne Funicello (October 22, 1942 – April 8, 2013) was an American actress and singer. Funicello began her professional career as a child performer at the age of twelve. She was one of the most popular Mouseketeers on the orig ...

contributes an opening cameo as the boys' desirable but modestly dressed Professor Sonya Roberts. * Avalon and Hickman appeared together again – after trading their character names with each other – in AIP's ''

Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine ''Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine'' is a 1965 American International Pictures comedy film, made in Pathécolor, directed by Norman Taurog. It stars Vincent Price, Frankie Avalon, Dwayne Hickman, Susan Hart and Jack Mullaney, and features Fre ...

''. *

Meredith MacRae Meredith Lynn MacRae (May 30, 1944 – July 14, 2000) was an American actress, singer and talk show host. She is most remembered for her roles as Sally Morrison on ''My Three Sons'' (1963–1965) and as Billie Jo Bradley on ''Petticoat Junction ...

appeared (uncredited) as the girl on the bus behind Lesley Gore.

Production

In December 1964, AIP announced the film would follow ''

Beach Blanket Bingo ''Beach Blanket Bingo'' is a 1965 American beach party film directed by William Asher. It is the fifth film in the Beach Party film series. The film stars Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Linda Evans, Deborah Walley, Paul Lynde, and Don Rickl ...

'', then be followed by ''

How to Stuff a Wild Bikini ''How to Stuff a Wild Bikini'' is a 1965 Pathécolor beach party film from American International Pictures. The sixth entry in a seven-film series, the movie features Mickey Rooney, Annette Funicello, Dwayne Hickman, Brian Donlevy, and Beverly ...

''. James H. Nicholson and Sam Arkoff hired

Gene Corman Eugene Harold "Gene" Corman (September 24, 1927 – September 28, 2020) was an American film producer and agent. He and his older brother, Roger, co-founded New World Pictures. Biography Corman entered the film industry before his brother, wo ...

to produce after watching ''

The Girls on the Beach ''The Girls on the Beach'' is a 1965 American beach party comedy film directed by William N. Witney and written by Sam Locke. The film stars Noreen Corcoran, Martin West, Linda Marshall, Steven Rogers, Ahna Capri and Aron Kincaid. The film wa ...

''. Corman hired the director, Alan Rafkin, and writer, Robert Kaufman, from television. Dwayne Hickman made the film immediately after ''

Cat Ballou ''Cat Ballou'' is a 1965 American western comedy film starring Jane Fonda and Lee Marvin, who won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his dual role. The story involves a woman who hires a notorious gunman to protect her father's ranch, and late ...

'' and for the same salary. He later wrote "it may have seemed like a strange career decision to go from a classic comedy Western like ''Cat Ballou'' to an AIP date movie like ''Ski Party'' but at the time ''Cat'' was really just a B movie for Columbia." Hickman says he "hit it off immediately" with co star Avalon "and decided that we should play the characters like

Hope Hope is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one's life or the world at large. As a verb, its definitions include: "expect with confidence" and "to cherish ...

and

Crosby Crosby may refer to: Places ;Canada *Crosby, Ontario, part of the township of Rideau Lakes, Ontario *Crosby, Ontario, a neighbourhood in the city of Markham, Ontario ;England *Crosby, Cumbria *Crosby, Lincolnshire *Crosby, Merseyside ** Crosby (U ...

. Frankie would be the Crosby-like character, smart, in-charge and slick, while I would play the Hope role and be the bumbler. We added a lot of physical business which helped a not very imaginative script." AIP wanted John Ashley to play Freddy, but Corman felt he looked too much like Avalon. The producer instead cast Aaron Kincaid, who had been in Corman's previous two beach films. Los Angeles City College (a two-year institution in East Hollywood) was the location used for the unnamed university in the film. The outdoor snow scenes were filmed in and around Sun Valley, Idaho over three weeks, and the film gives screen credit to Idaho's

. Ski instructor Siegfried Engl has a cameo. There were also some scenes shot at the beach. In March 1965, one week into filming, AIP were so happy with the rushes that they announced Kaufman, Corman and Rafkin would make ''Cruise Party'' immediately. ''Cruise Party'' never was produced. James Brown said he "felt like ewas in a straitjacket" during his appearance. Hickman said making the film "was a totally enjoyable experience", and AIP offered him a lead role in ''

''. The studio reunited him and Avalon in ''

Dr Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine ''Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine'' is a 1965 American International Pictures comedy film, made in Pathécolor, directed by Norman Taurog. It stars Vincent Price, Frankie Avalon, Dwayne Hickman, Susan Hart and Jack Mullaney, and features Fr ...

'' with Hickman's playing Armstrong and Avalon's playing Gamble.

Music

''Ski Party'' is punctuated with musical numbers by

, who sings

Marvin Hamlisch Marvin Frederick Hamlisch (June 2, 1944 – August 6, 2012) was an American composer and conductor. Hamlisch was one of only seventeen people to win Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. This collection of all four is referred to as an " EGOT ...

's " Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows" on the bus, and

(

, Lloyd Stallworth, and Bobby Bennett) who sing and shimmy through "

I Got You (I Feel Good) "I Got You (I Feel Good)" is a song by American singer James Brown. First recorded for the album ''Out of Sight'' and then released in an alternate take as a single in 1965, it was his highest-charting song and is arguably his best-known record ...

" in the lodge, having been humorously cast as the "white bread" resort's all-black

ski patrol Ski patrols are organizations that provide medical, rescue, and hazard prevention services to the injured in ski area boundaries, or sometimes beyond into backcountry settings. Many have technical-medical certifications, such as Outdoor Emergen ...

. (In the bio-pic '' Get On Up'', the scene from ''Ski Party'' is re-created, with Brown's bemoaning that he is splitting his pants "in front of all these white folks".)

sing two songs written by

Gary Usher Gary Lee Usher (December 14, 1938 – May 25, 1990) was an American rock musician, songwriter, and record producer, who worked with numerous California acts in the 1960s, including the Byrds, the Beach Boys, and Dick Dale. Usher also produced fict ...

and Roger Christian – the title track, off-camera, then appearing in beach attire for the closing track, "The Gasser", on Sorrento Beach in Santa Monica]. Avalon sings the surf-rock "Lots, Lots More" (by Richie Adams and

Larry Kusik Larry Kusik (also known as Larry Kusic) is a lyricist. He is perhaps best known for writing the lyrics for the tune "Speak Softly Love", the love theme from the 1972 film ''The Godfather''. He has also written lyrics to many other movie themes, incl ...

), and is joined by Hickman, Walley and Craig for the Holiday-styled "Paintin' the Town" (written by

Bob Gaudio Robert John Gaudio (born November 17, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer, and the keyboardist and backing vocalist of the pop/rock band the Four Seasons. Gaudio wrote or co-wrote and produced the vast majori ...

of The Four Seasons). Walley and Craig sing "We'll Never Change Them", a song by Guy Hemric and

Jerry Styner Jerry Howard Styner (born June 18, 1936) is an American songwriter, musician, and former record producer. He has written scores for or had his compositions featured in over 30 films. Some of the artists he has worked with include Chet Baker for h ...

, originally written as "I'll Never Change Him" and sung by Annette Funicello in a scene cut from ''

''. This is the only AIP beach party film not scored by

Les Baxter Leslie Thompson "Les" Baxter (March 14, 1922 – January 15, 1996) was a best-selling American musician and composer. After working as an arranger and composer for swing bands, he developed his own style of easy listening music, known as exotica ...

. Edwin Norton is credited as the film's music editor and Al Simms as music supervisor.

Reception

Critical

The ''Los Angeles Times'' wrote the dialogue "seems awfully childish even for teenagers", but liked the musical acts.

Box Office

Samuel Arkoff Samuel Zachary Arkoff (June 12, 1918 – September 16, 2001) was an American producer of B movies. Life and career Arkoff was born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Russian Jewish parents. He was the son of Helen (Lurie) and Louis Arkoff, who ran his ...

of AIP stated the film was a commercial disappointment. A follow-up film announced in the credits, ''Cruise Party'', never was made. Both

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...

and

Universal Studios Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

produced their versions of snowbound beach party films: Columbia's '' Winter a Go-Go'' was released four months later in October 1965, and Universal's ''

Wild Wild Winter ''Wild Wild Winter'' is a 1966 Universal Pictures beach party comedy film directed by standup comedian Lennie Weinrib and starring Gary Clarke and Chris Noel. It was produced by Bart Patton and is notable for featuring Jay and the Americans and t ...

'' was released in January 1966.

Merchandising

Dell Comics Dell Comics was the comic book publishing arm of Dell Publishing, which got its start in pulp magazines. It published comics from 1929 to 1974. At its peak, it was the most prominent and successful American company in the medium.Evanier, Mark"Wh ...

published a 12-cent comic book version of ''Ski Party'' in conjunction with the movie's release.

Home media

''Ski Party'' was released to DVD by MGM Home Video on April 15, 2003 as part of a double-sided disc, with ''Ski Party'' on side two of the disc and on July 10, 2007 as part of the box set ''The Frankie and Annette Collection'', with ''Ski Party'' on the fourth disc.

References

Notes

* *

External links

* * * * *
Article on film
at Cinema Retro {{Beach Party series 1965 films 1965 musical comedy films 1960s teen films American International Pictures films American musical comedy films American teen films Beach party films 1960s English-language films Films adapted into comics Films directed by Alan Rafkin Films produced by Gene Corman Films set in Sun Valley, Idaho Films shot in Sun Valley, Idaho Films shot in Los Angeles American skiing films 1960s American films