Many commentators think this is the best of the Beach Party series. I used to think so until a recent re-viewing made me change my mind. It's definitely not the purest, if that makes sense, as there are too many things which make it stick out from the series: Frankie and Annette aren't in the best of form, John Ashley plays Frankie's rival instead of friend (this at least means Ashley has something to do, though), Jody McCrea is the lead as much as anyone else as she chases mermaid Marta Kristen and winds up with beautiful starlet Linda Evans.There is lots of colour and action and movement - sky diving is the gimmick here, plus mermaids (the romance between McCrea and Kristen is unexpectedly touching) - with some decent songs, apart from an awful ballad sung by Avalon. The scene where he impresses columnist Earl Wilson while singing it makes one think he had one eye well and truly on Vegas by this time. The climax, in the style of old Hollywood silent cinema, is funny.
My main problem with it was Frankie Avalon was so obnoxious – he’s cocky with Paul Lynde, he tells Annette that a woman’s place is in the kitchen so she shouldn’t sky dive (he also complains about her cooking). Also Deborah Walley accuses him of sexually assaulting her – which is a bit full on for a Beach Party movie. To compensate though, Don Rickles and Paul Lynde insult Avalon several times, and most of the romantic duties are carried by McCrea .
Annette Funicello has very little to do – so too do Buster Keaton and Bobbi Show (who seems to be sucking in her gut the whole movie). The music is a bit different, indicating that even AIP were getting impatient with the series.
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