Pajama Party

GoGo (Tommy Kirk), a somewhat incompetent Martian agent, is sent to infiltrate Earth's teenagers in anticipation of an invasion from the Red Planet. Needless to say he promptly falls for Terran tart Connie (Annette Funicello, whose Disney-mandated bathing-suit is the most demure on the beach). This sci-fi-comedy, the fourth in AIPS popular 'beach' series, is full of scantly-dressed, energetically dancing youngsters (including a youthful Terri Garr), spontaneous singing, slapstick yucks, a touch of meta-humour (usually referring to the 'absent' Frankie Avalon), and an interesting secondary cast including silent-movie icon Buster Keaton (as Indian chief Rotten Eagle, a role that these days would be considered near blasphemous cultural appropriation, "Ugh!"), Dorothy Lamour (the sexy sarong-clad sidekick from the "Road to..." series) who has the best musical number (asking the classic generation-gap question 'Where Did I go Wrong?') and the lonely Maytag repairman himself, Jesse White, as the ridiculously named 'J. Sinister Hulk'. The barely existent plot makes little sense and serves primarily to set up comedic or terpsichorean set-pieces. The film also features the great Elsa Lanchester as a wealthy but ditsy dress-shop owner and a number of the usual beach-movie crowd (including Mr. Warmth himself, Don Rickles as 'Big Bang' a disgruntled Martian and Harvey Lembeck's brainless-biker Eric Von Zipper). The first part of the film is amusing in a goofy way but the story soon degenerates into a lengthy, time-killing, chase-sequence before climaxing at the titular party, a silly and not particularly funny series of predictable sight-gags and faux-teenage shenanigans. The 60's go-go style dancing is fun to watch but other than Lamour's song, the music (especially Annette and Tommy's duet) is unmemorable. Needful watching for all fans of beach movies and for obsessive sci-fi completists, otherwise, OK fluff for anyone in the mood to get nostalgic for a kinetic 1960s than never really existed. Kirk returned to Earth as a Martian in Larry Buchannan's penurious but evocatively entitled time-waster 'Mars Need Women' (1968).

This was what passed for entertainment when I was a teen. Speaking of which, I saw very few, if any, actual teens in this production. Did see the Maytag man though: this guy always leaves me in stitches for some reason. How well I remember his portrayal of Honest John in a segment of "Beverly Hillbillies". As to exactly why I remember this so well is well beyond me, I just do. Another highlight of this film was Don Rickles, one of my all time fave comics. But the ultimate high point of this or any of the sand and surf epics is none other than Eric Von and his cycle Ratz. They are without peer and I'll fight to the death over this belief. Ok, not to the death, but I do love Von Zipper. I have seen several of the beach pictures and this may be the zaniest one yet....you stupids!

I LOVE this film, particularly the scene at the dress store, with Dorothy Lamour.

Yes, the 2nd model out, IS the one and only Terri Garr. The last dancer out - the one doing the INCREDIBLE 'Swim,' is Ms. Toni Basil.

These two women have a combined history (which might've started here. Does anyone know?), as, it was shortly after this film, that Terri became a dancer on the late, great ShInDiG!, with Toni as both a dancer and choreographer.

I saw some reviews here which were practically out for blood in their negativity, their dislike of this film.

The one that stuck in my craw, was the person who said they were in high school (in LA) at the time, and this film was so bad, they couldn't sit through it - 'FIVE(?!?!) times.'

O - kaaaaay.

While it's true, it's not the best, it does have things going for it, starting with Tommy Kirk, who I've always liked. I can only imagine how he felt, to basically be given the 'beach movie mantle' - ALONE.

That had to be a little unnerving tonhave that weight put on you. But, he did have the help of Annette, and a truly fun cast, with everyone from Buster Keaton, through to Dorothy ('poor me, pour me another drink') Kilgallen (huh?).

Yes, it's stupid, but, it's fun. It's not supposed to be anything other than lightweight fluff, and, it does it's job admirably.

Every time this film comes on, I'm front-and-centre, waiting up for that terrific dance at the dress store.

And, again, to the person who hates this - but, keeps seeing it: you keep saying you leave after only the 1st few minutes. There are very few films that are great after only a few minutes.

Next time you 'force' yourself to (try and) watch PAJAMA PARTY...just try to at least see Dorothy, Terri, and Toni? You might end up with a smile.

American International Pictures at their goofy best, hitting a "Beach Party" high-point with this insane slapstick opus. Having seen all the "Beach Party" flicks (including "Ski Party" and "The Ghost In The Invisible Bikini"), I have to say this may be my favorite. Frankie Avalon is relegated to a cameo playing a Martian leader--in scenes tinted red!--but Annette Funicello is here, having trouble with a new beau who says he's from Mars. Annette is very appealing warbling the title cut poolside (she gets dunked!) or crooning "Stuffed Animal" to a colorful toy monstrosity who winks at her. There are some big laughs: Buster Keaton's battle with the perfume spritz girl, Dorothy Lamour getting a lesson in today's fashions, Susan Hart's slow shimmy making a volcano erupt, the kid who hates "mush!", and Elsa Lanchester flitting around the teenagers, casting caution to the wind (one of the bikers calls her an "older doll"). Fun stuff! *** from ****

"Beach Blanket Bingo" reigns as the best of AIP's "Beach Party" series, but "Pajama Party" takes the runner-up spot. True, there's no Frankie, but Tommy Kirk does fine as a teenaged alien trying to understand the ways of Earthlings (the plot was obviously inspired by "Visit to a Small Planet"). Annette has one of her best songs with the hilarious "Stuffed Animals" number. The often under-used Susan Hart looks terrific, especially when her dancing causes a toy volcano to erupt. In short, "Pajama Party" is a very entertaining piece of nostalgia. It's a shame that Tommy Kirk and Susan Hart were both wasted in the later lame series entry "Ghost in the Invisible Bikini".