Pajama Party (1964)

A teenage Martian (Tommy Kirk) is sent to Earth to prepare for a Martian invasion in the next 48 hours. But when he falls in love with an Earthling (Annette Funicello), he decides that life on Earth isn't too bad. Directed by Don Weis (LOOKING FOR LOVE), this was the fourth entry in the American International BEACH PARTY franchise. How does one critique these mindless BEACH PARTY concoctions? They're silly and dumb but there's an innocent charm to them but outside of those who were there in the 1960s for whom there is the nostalgia factor, it might prove slow going. The songs are unmemorable but the David Winters (WEST SIDE STORY) choreography is lively but one would have to work awfully hard to dislike it. Which doesn't mean it's good, like the rest of the franchise, it just is. Buster Keaton's Indian stereotype is hopelessly politically incorrect but hey, it was made in 1964! The supporting cast is all over the place: Dorothy Lamour, Elsa Lanchester, Don Rickles, Frankie Avalon, Teri Garr, Harvey Lembeck, Donna Loren, Toni Basil, Jesse White and even Dorothy Kilgallen (WHAT'S MY LINE?) gets tossed in (literally).