It all started with my first full screening of Frankie & Annette's Beach Party (1963). I love cheesy 1960s teen flicks, surfing (whether in real life or in movies & music), drive-ins, classic cars & just being at the beach relaxing & playing in the water, so these movies are perfect for me. In high school I was heavily into 1950s nostalgia, to a point where my mom finally said, "People were racist & sexist & there was a long road ahead. You would have HATED it if you were really in that time period." Which is probably true, but I am still a sucker for good 'ol Americana. And I honestly would have loved to be a part of all the Civil Rights/hippie movement & probably would have joined in, having become pretty sick of all the BS of the 50s. I mean, I HOPE that's how I would have felt....
Anyways, I am here to guide you through this "Summer of Love" with some music & movie tips:
I decided on "Summer of Love" because of a song of the same title by The Fresh and Onlys. I heard them on The Spy the other day & it totally rocked my world. Their music is like the Doors, Zombies, Ramones, Beach Boys & some 60s surfer dudes & bunnies had a Lost Boys ritual using the blood of Morissey that got so out of hand, the cave blew up & the Fresh and Onlys started playing from under the rubble. Here is the song that won my heart & soul:
I ended up listening to their whole album, Play it Strange, on Grooveshark and I am addicted. It is an incredible album with a variety of psychadelic sounds & influences that make you want to have a bonfire on the beach. And possibly a Lost Boys blood ritual. Tennis, as I mentioned in my past bloggy, "Diagnosis Music," would be another great band to add to your library for the summer. There's obviously a 60s surf revival happening in music and I couldn't be happier.
To enhance your new 60s mania even more, you can join me in my Annette & Frankie obsession & watch any & all of their beach movies. Of course these are hitting on a different section of the 60s & have a more wholesome & cheestastic (while sexually charged) image to send, but you get it. Let me warn you, though, the opening song of Beach Party is a little Stepford Wife robotic & Annette's solo "Treat Him Nicely" has some very scary "treat your mental disorder" moments. There is also some really awful tips on how to handle a relationship.
To enhance your new 60s mania even more, you can join me in my Annette & Frankie obsession & watch any & all of their beach movies. Of course these are hitting on a different section of the 60s & have a more wholesome & cheestastic (while sexually charged) image to send, but you get it. Let me warn you, though, the opening song of Beach Party is a little Stepford Wife robotic & Annette's solo "Treat Him Nicely" has some very scary "treat your mental disorder" moments. There is also some really awful tips on how to handle a relationship.
Beach Party (1963)
Muscle Beach Party (1964)
Bikini Beach (1964)
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)
How to Stuff a Wild Bikini (1965)
Back to the Beach (1987)
I am actually planning on watching all of these IN ORDER this summer b/c I am hardcore. You should also add the classic, Endless Summer (1966) to your queue. All of these are old school and are lots of fun. While Frankie & Annette's are cheesy classics, Endless Summer feels like you are tagging along with these friends/fanatic surfers as they follow the seasons & travel the world in search of the perfect wave.
To take this nostalgic 60s theme to the next level, go to the drive-in. If you go to www.DriveInMovie.com, you can find one near you, but if you are in the OKC area, search no further & head over to Winchester Drive-in Movie Theater on Western. You pay a flat rate (cash only) to see three movies in a row & are more than welcome to bring lawn chairs & booze (as long as you keep alcohol in your car &/or put it in a paper sack like a hobo). It's cheap & you can feel like you are going back in a time machine as you wear all of your 70s boho-inspired clothing that is in again & drink Colt 45 as you tune your radio so you can hear the movie. What did I tell you? Is Summer of Love (part deux) awesome or what?!
I'm not going to give too many more ideas away, b/c I will be using this as my theme for our housewarming party, so you will have to see when all of these elements (& then some) are pulled together. The drive-in is even rumored to be a part of birthday celebrations as well, so hold your horses. Hopefully I got you started on some ideas for parties & themes of your own this summer so I would love to hear what you come up with or if you have any more ideas to add. But please tell me what you think of the Fresh and Onlys and Annette & Frankie b/c I'm head over heels!
I'm not going to give too many more ideas away, b/c I will be using this as my theme for our housewarming party, so you will have to see when all of these elements (& then some) are pulled together. The drive-in is even rumored to be a part of birthday celebrations as well, so hold your horses. Hopefully I got you started on some ideas for parties & themes of your own this summer so I would love to hear what you come up with or if you have any more ideas to add. But please tell me what you think of the Fresh and Onlys and Annette & Frankie b/c I'm head over heels!
the 60s, surfing & love,
bunny
Listen to local & indie bands on The Spy FM, based out of OKC, OK
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2 comments:
Totally adding these all to my queue...I saw some of these in my recommended section...but you won me over!
Yay! Glad to hear it! They are goofy & don't take themselves too seriously. And they take you to a refreshing happy place where you can OD on nostalgia & cheese & sometimes frightening musical numbers :)
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