Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon, the OG Beach Bums of the ’60s

In the early ’60s, American International Pictures released a film that would set the trend for a new genre, “Beach Party,” which starred these two, Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon. Despite being on a shoestring budget, the production became a hit with audiences and spawned six sequels.

The films had the typical formula of teenagers having fun on the beach while solving a mystery. Avalon became even more well-known for his role in “Grease” as Teen Angel in the ’70s. On the other hand, Annette Funicello was already a popular Mouseketeer at 12 and had a successful teenage career as a singer.