FRANKIE
AVALON
AVALON
* DATE OF BIRTH
18th of September 1940
* PLACE OF BIRTH
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
* FULL NAME
Francis Thomas Avallone
* Frankie played the trumpet well at age 9 & went on to win a number of contests.
* He started singing in his early teens & joined the band "Rocco & the Saints". They performed at various venues including weekend dances.
* In the late 50's Marucci & De Angelis became Frankie's managers. His first two songs "Cupid" & "Teachers Pet" were aimed at the teen market.
* In December 1957 Frankie appeared on "American Bandstand".
* In 1959 Frankie recorded his trademark song "Venus". It was his biggest hit selling over 1 million copies.
* His boy next door look made him perfect for teen-oriented movies.
* He began his film career with bit parts in "Jamboree", "Guns of The Timberland" & the John Wayne western "The Alamo".
* Frankie Avalon's first lead role was in the 1963 film "Drums of Africa".
* In no time at all he progressed from bit parts to starring roles in his famous 1960's Beach Party film series. Avalon's frequent co-star in these films was Annette Funicello. Together on screen they proved to be very popular with teen audiences world-wide.
* In 1978 Frankie had a cameo role in the musical "Grease". He played the part of the Teen Angel in the dream sequence & sang "Beauty School Dropout".
* In 1985 Frankie began touring with friends Bobby Rydell & Fabian. The tour, billed as "The Golden Boys of Bandstand" was highly successful.
* In 1987 Frankie Avalon was reunited with Annette Funicello in "Back To The Beach" a funny parody of the beach movies they made together in the 1960's.
* In the 90's Frankie continued to make concert & nightclub appearances.
* Today, his company, Frankie Avalon products, sells a wide range of health supplements.
18th of September 1940
* PLACE OF BIRTH
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA
* FULL NAME
Francis Thomas Avallone
* Frankie played the trumpet well at age 9 & went on to win a number of contests.
* He started singing in his early teens & joined the band "Rocco & the Saints". They performed at various venues including weekend dances.
* In the late 50's Marucci & De Angelis became Frankie's managers. His first two songs "Cupid" & "Teachers Pet" were aimed at the teen market.
* In December 1957 Frankie appeared on "American Bandstand".
* In 1959 Frankie recorded his trademark song "Venus". It was his biggest hit selling over 1 million copies.
* His boy next door look made him perfect for teen-oriented movies.
* He began his film career with bit parts in "Jamboree", "Guns of The Timberland" & the John Wayne western "The Alamo".
* Frankie Avalon's first lead role was in the 1963 film "Drums of Africa".
* In no time at all he progressed from bit parts to starring roles in his famous 1960's Beach Party film series. Avalon's frequent co-star in these films was Annette Funicello. Together on screen they proved to be very popular with teen audiences world-wide.
* In 1978 Frankie had a cameo role in the musical "Grease". He played the part of the Teen Angel in the dream sequence & sang "Beauty School Dropout".
* In 1985 Frankie began touring with friends Bobby Rydell & Fabian. The tour, billed as "The Golden Boys of Bandstand" was highly successful.
* In 1987 Frankie Avalon was reunited with Annette Funicello in "Back To The Beach" a funny parody of the beach movies they made together in the 1960's.
* In the 90's Frankie continued to make concert & nightclub appearances.
* Today, his company, Frankie Avalon products, sells a wide range of health supplements.
A to Z List / Updates / Extras / Galleries / Pictorial History / Quizzes / Movie News / Actor / Actress
Hollywood Teen Movies Main Menu Bars:
The Following Frankie Avalon Movies are now available to buy.
Click the Movie Titles below for details:
Click the Movie Titles below for details:
Teen Stars of The 1950's and 1960's
The Big Kahuna, 1960's Teen Idol
and Beach Boy
and Beach Boy
Frankie Avalon Fact File
More "Frankie Avalon" products:
19 CDs, 25 Videos and 7 DVD's
Click the link below for details:
19 CDs, 25 Videos and 7 DVD's
Click the link below for details:
Click the links below for details:
Frankie Avalon CD's available to buy:
Right:
60's Teen Idol Frankie Avalon, the boy from Philadelphia who made a successful crossover from music to film.
60's Teen Idol Frankie Avalon, the boy from Philadelphia who made a successful crossover from music to film.
* 1989 - Troop Beverly Hills
* 1987 - Back To The Beach
* 1978 - Grease
* 1974 - The Take
* 1970 - Horror House
* 1968 - Skidoo
* 1966 - Fireball 500
* 1965 - Dr. Goldfoot & the Bikini Machines
* 1965 - How To Stuff A Wild Bikini
* 1965 - Sergeant Deadhead
* 1965 - I'll Take Sweden
* 1965 - Beach Blanket Bingo
* 1964 - Bikini Beach
* 1964 - Muscle Beach Party
* 1963 - Operation Bikini
* 1963 - Drums of Africa
* 1963 - The Castillian
* 1963 - Beach Party
* 1962 - Panic in The Year Zero!
* 1961 - Voyage To The Bottom of The Sea
* 1960 - The Alamo
* 1960 - Guns of The Timberland
* 1957 - Jamboree
* 1987 - Back To The Beach
* 1978 - Grease
* 1974 - The Take
* 1970 - Horror House
* 1968 - Skidoo
* 1966 - Fireball 500
* 1965 - Dr. Goldfoot & the Bikini Machines
* 1965 - How To Stuff A Wild Bikini
* 1965 - Sergeant Deadhead
* 1965 - I'll Take Sweden
* 1965 - Beach Blanket Bingo
* 1964 - Bikini Beach
* 1964 - Muscle Beach Party
* 1963 - Operation Bikini
* 1963 - Drums of Africa
* 1963 - The Castillian
* 1963 - Beach Party
* 1962 - Panic in The Year Zero!
* 1961 - Voyage To The Bottom of The Sea
* 1960 - The Alamo
* 1960 - Guns of The Timberland
* 1957 - Jamboree
This page was last updated 27th October 2003
Left:
60's Teen Idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian Forte at the beach.
Right:
Frankie and his "Drums Of Africa" (1963) co-star Mariette Hartley.
60's Teen Idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian Forte at the beach.
Right:
Frankie and his "Drums Of Africa" (1963) co-star Mariette Hartley.
Selected Filmography
Hullabaloo, Vol. 1 VHS
Paul Anka guests and sings "What Now My Love," along with The Cyrkle ("Red Rubber Ball"), Lesley Gore ("Young Love"), and Peter and Gordon ("Wrong From the Start"). Then, The Yardbirds ("I'm a Man"), The Hollies ("Look Through Any Window"), and Nancy Sinatra ("So Long Babe") join host Frankie Avalon, who chimes in with "Do I Hear a Waltz?"
Hullabaloo, Vol. 5 VHS
Drive-in faves Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello are co-hosts for this episode, singing "All I Need Now Is the Girl," "Chim Chim Cheree" and more, plus guest artists The Kinks ("You Really Got Me"), Dobie Gray ("The In Crowd"), Freddie & The Dreamers ("I'm Telling You Now"), The Brothers Four ("Rock Island Line") and others.
Hullabaloo, Vol. 9 VHS
Teen idol Frankie Avalon hosts this one-hour episode and also sings "Once in a Lifetime." Joining him are Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs ("Wooly Bully"), The Supremes ("Back in My Arms Again," "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You"), The Byrds ("Mr. Tambourine Man," "Feel a Whole Lot Better") and others. There's also a Lennon/McCartney medley by Frankie, Barbara McNair and Joannie Summers.
Jamboree(1957) VHS
"Boy pop singer meets girl pop singer" is the basic plot for this early rock 'n' roll musical, but the main reasons to watch are vintage performances by Fats Domino ("Wait and See"), Jerry Lee Lewis ("Great Balls of Fire"), Carl Perkins ("Glad All Over"), Philly's own Charlie Gracie and even Count Basie and Slim Whitman! Bob Pastine and Kay Medford (whose singing voice was dubbed by Connie Francis) star. AKA: "Disc Jockey Jamboree." 86 min.
The Alamo(1960) VHS
The Alamo [DVD](1960) DVD
Rousing battle scenes and some larger-than-life heroes highlight director/star John Wayne's thrilling salute to Texas' battle for independence from Mexico and the fateful last stand at the Alamo. Wayne plays Davy Crockett, with Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie, Laurence Harvey as William Travis, and Richard Boone as Sam Houston. 162 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English 5.1 Surround, French stereo, Spanish mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; "making of" documentary; theatrical trailer; scene access.
Alakazam The Great!(1961) VHS
Animated fable from Japan about a young monkey prince who must face several trials on a quest to learn humility. Frankie Avalon, Jonathan Winters, Dodie Stevens and Arnold Stang provide the voices. 84 min. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea(1961) VHS
When the Earth is endangered by radiation from outer space, the super-submarine Seaview must undertake a dangerous mission to save it. Exciting futuristic adventure stars Walter Pidgeon, Barbara Eden, Peter Lorre and Frankie Avalon. 105 min.
Beach Party(1963) VHS
The first entry in AIP's beach comedy series stars Bob Cummings as an anthropologist studying teenagemating habits who picks Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello as his subjects. With Morey Amsterdam, Dorothy Malone, Dick Dale and The Del-Tones, and Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper. 98 min.
The Castilian(1963) VHS
Set in 10th-century Spain, this enthralling costume saga centers on a nobleman who leads his followers against an evil king and the Moors who occupy his homeland, with help from the king's beautiful daughter. Colorful spectacle stars Spartaco Santoni, Cesar Romero, Broderick Crawford, Fernando Rey and Frankie Avalon. 129 min.
Bikini Beach(1964) VHS
When a wealthy newspaperman wants to turn the local beach into a senior citizen's home, everyone's at arms. What's Annette gonna do--not just about this situation, but about choosing between a British pop star and her jealous boyfriend (Frankie Avalon in two parts)? Don Rickles, Little Stevie Wonder, The Pyramids, Harvey Lembeck and Keenan Wynn star. 100 min.
Muscle Beach Party(1964) VHS
Surf's up! Frankie and Annette sure have their hands full in this one, what with gym owner Don Rickles and his musclemen trying to take over the beach, lovesick heiress Luciana Paluzzi trying to snare Frankie, and Little Stevie Wonder stopping by to perform "Happy Street." With Morey Amsterdam, Buddy Hackett. 94 min.
Pajama Party(1964) VHS
Whacked-out AIP entry finds Martian Tommy Kirk landing on Earth to scope it out for a future invasion and finding romance with curvaceous Annette Funicello, much to the dismay of boyfriend Jody McCrea. Mix in Harvey Lembeck's Eric Von Zipper, a couple of crooks, Buster Keaton as Chief Rotten Eagle, Dorothy Lamour, and a pajama party thrown by Annette's aunt Elsa Lanchester, and you have a beach party classic minus the sand.
Beach Blanket Bingo(1965) VHS
The "Beach Party" gang is back again for laughs, rock and roll, surfing and those sexy two-piece bathing suits. The plot, such as it is, involves a missing singing star, a mermaid, and Eric Von Zipper's gang. With Frankie, Annette, Harvey Lembeck, Linda Evans, Paul Lynde, Don Rickles. 98 min.
Dr. Goldfoot And The Bikini Machine(1965) VHS
NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
Dr. Goldfoot And The Bikini Machine [DVD](1965) DVD
Mad scientist Vincent Price has constructed an army of beautiful bikini-clad robots as part of his scheme to control the world's richest men, and only bumbling secret agents Frankie Avalon and Dwayne Hickman can stop him in this wild sci-fi spy spoof. With a cameo by Annette Funicello and a title song by The Supremes. 89 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
How To Stuff A Wild Bikini(1965) VHS
Fearful that buddy Dwayne Hickman will hit on Annette Funicello while he's on Naval Reserve duty, Frankie Avalon gets witch doctor Buster Keaton to send a magical bikini (stuffed with beautiful Beverly Adams) to woo away Hickman. And that's just the start of the hi-jinks in this bouncy beach comedy that also stars Mickey Rooney, The Kingsmen ("Louie Louie"), and Harvey Lembeck; look for Brian Wilson as a (what else?) "beach boy." 93 min.
I'll Take Sweden(1965) VHS
Overprotective dad Bob Hope gets transferred to Sweden in order to stop the romance between daughter Tuesday Weld and rock-and-roller Frankie Avalon. But soon she's romanced by a suave playboy, so Bob invites Frankie overseas to stop the liaison. Lively, music-filled comedy co-stars Dina Merrill, Jeremy Slate and The Vulcanes. 96 min.
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea (1961)/Fantastic Voyage [DVD](1966) DVD
When the Earth is endangered by radiation from outer space, the super-submarine Seaview must undertake a dangerous mission to save it. Exciting futuristic adventure stars Walter Pidgeon, Barbara Eden, Peter Lorre and Frankie Avalon. Then, Academy Award-winning, special effects-filled adventure follows an expedition through the human body by a team of miniaturized scientists. Have you ever seen killer white corpuscles? A close-up look at the human heart in action? This sci-fi classic has this...plus Raquel Welch in a wet suit! Stephen Boyd, Donald Pleasence. 205 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English, French; theatrical trailers.
Thunder Alley(1967) VHS
Stock car racer Fabian is forced to retire after a blackout on the track leads to the death of another driver. Taking a job with Jan Murray's "thrill circus," he teaches Annette Funicello and boyfriend Warren Berlinger to race, but when Fabian's old girlfriend causes friction between the trio, he must get back behind the wheel and overcome his affliction in this rubber-burning thriller from director Richard Rush ("The Stunt Man"). 90 min.
Grease: 2Oth Anniversary Edition(1978) VHS
Get out your poodle skirts and penny loafers and get ready to rock-and-roll with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the hit screen rendition of the Broadway musical look at '50s high school life. Songs include "Greased Lightning," "Summer Nights," "You're the One That I Want" and the title track. With Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Didi Conn, Eve Arden. This remastered anniversary edition also includes new interview footage with the cast and director Randal Kleiser.
Back To The Beach(1987) VHS
Your favorite seaside sweethearts, Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, return to the sunny shores of California in this winning spoof of their '60s beach movies. Now married, Frankie and Annette visit the old haunts with their kids and wind up singing, surfing, fighting and making up--just like in the old days. With Lori Loughlin, Connie Stevens and lots of cameos. 92 min.
Troop Beverly Hills(1989) VHS
New den mother Shelley Long pampers her daughter's Wilderness Girls troop with shopping trips and expeditions in the L.A. lifestyle in this outrageous comedy. With Betty Thomas, Craig T. Nelson. 105 min.
Paul Anka guests and sings "What Now My Love," along with The Cyrkle ("Red Rubber Ball"), Lesley Gore ("Young Love"), and Peter and Gordon ("Wrong From the Start"). Then, The Yardbirds ("I'm a Man"), The Hollies ("Look Through Any Window"), and Nancy Sinatra ("So Long Babe") join host Frankie Avalon, who chimes in with "Do I Hear a Waltz?"
Hullabaloo, Vol. 5 VHS
Drive-in faves Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello are co-hosts for this episode, singing "All I Need Now Is the Girl," "Chim Chim Cheree" and more, plus guest artists The Kinks ("You Really Got Me"), Dobie Gray ("The In Crowd"), Freddie & The Dreamers ("I'm Telling You Now"), The Brothers Four ("Rock Island Line") and others.
Hullabaloo, Vol. 9 VHS
Teen idol Frankie Avalon hosts this one-hour episode and also sings "Once in a Lifetime." Joining him are Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs ("Wooly Bully"), The Supremes ("Back in My Arms Again," "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You"), The Byrds ("Mr. Tambourine Man," "Feel a Whole Lot Better") and others. There's also a Lennon/McCartney medley by Frankie, Barbara McNair and Joannie Summers.
Jamboree(1957) VHS
"Boy pop singer meets girl pop singer" is the basic plot for this early rock 'n' roll musical, but the main reasons to watch are vintage performances by Fats Domino ("Wait and See"), Jerry Lee Lewis ("Great Balls of Fire"), Carl Perkins ("Glad All Over"), Philly's own Charlie Gracie and even Count Basie and Slim Whitman! Bob Pastine and Kay Medford (whose singing voice was dubbed by Connie Francis) star. AKA: "Disc Jockey Jamboree." 86 min.
The Alamo(1960) VHS
The Alamo [DVD](1960) DVD
Rousing battle scenes and some larger-than-life heroes highlight director/star John Wayne's thrilling salute to Texas' battle for independence from Mexico and the fateful last stand at the Alamo. Wayne plays Davy Crockett, with Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie, Laurence Harvey as William Travis, and Richard Boone as Sam Houston. 162 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English 5.1 Surround, French stereo, Spanish mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; "making of" documentary; theatrical trailer; scene access.
Alakazam The Great!(1961) VHS
Animated fable from Japan about a young monkey prince who must face several trials on a quest to learn humility. Frankie Avalon, Jonathan Winters, Dodie Stevens and Arnold Stang provide the voices. 84 min. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea(1961) VHS
When the Earth is endangered by radiation from outer space, the super-submarine Seaview must undertake a dangerous mission to save it. Exciting futuristic adventure stars Walter Pidgeon, Barbara Eden, Peter Lorre and Frankie Avalon. 105 min.
Beach Party(1963) VHS
The first entry in AIP's beach comedy series stars Bob Cummings as an anthropologist studying teenagemating habits who picks Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello as his subjects. With Morey Amsterdam, Dorothy Malone, Dick Dale and The Del-Tones, and Harvey Lembeck as Eric Von Zipper. 98 min.
The Castilian(1963) VHS
Set in 10th-century Spain, this enthralling costume saga centers on a nobleman who leads his followers against an evil king and the Moors who occupy his homeland, with help from the king's beautiful daughter. Colorful spectacle stars Spartaco Santoni, Cesar Romero, Broderick Crawford, Fernando Rey and Frankie Avalon. 129 min.
Bikini Beach(1964) VHS
When a wealthy newspaperman wants to turn the local beach into a senior citizen's home, everyone's at arms. What's Annette gonna do--not just about this situation, but about choosing between a British pop star and her jealous boyfriend (Frankie Avalon in two parts)? Don Rickles, Little Stevie Wonder, The Pyramids, Harvey Lembeck and Keenan Wynn star. 100 min.
Muscle Beach Party(1964) VHS
Surf's up! Frankie and Annette sure have their hands full in this one, what with gym owner Don Rickles and his musclemen trying to take over the beach, lovesick heiress Luciana Paluzzi trying to snare Frankie, and Little Stevie Wonder stopping by to perform "Happy Street." With Morey Amsterdam, Buddy Hackett. 94 min.
Pajama Party(1964) VHS
Whacked-out AIP entry finds Martian Tommy Kirk landing on Earth to scope it out for a future invasion and finding romance with curvaceous Annette Funicello, much to the dismay of boyfriend Jody McCrea. Mix in Harvey Lembeck's Eric Von Zipper, a couple of crooks, Buster Keaton as Chief Rotten Eagle, Dorothy Lamour, and a pajama party thrown by Annette's aunt Elsa Lanchester, and you have a beach party classic minus the sand.
Beach Blanket Bingo(1965) VHS
The "Beach Party" gang is back again for laughs, rock and roll, surfing and those sexy two-piece bathing suits. The plot, such as it is, involves a missing singing star, a mermaid, and Eric Von Zipper's gang. With Frankie, Annette, Harvey Lembeck, Linda Evans, Paul Lynde, Don Rickles. 98 min.
Dr. Goldfoot And The Bikini Machine(1965) VHS
NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
Dr. Goldfoot And The Bikini Machine [DVD](1965) DVD
Mad scientist Vincent Price has constructed an army of beautiful bikini-clad robots as part of his scheme to control the world's richest men, and only bumbling secret agents Frankie Avalon and Dwayne Hickman can stop him in this wild sci-fi spy spoof. With a cameo by Annette Funicello and a title song by The Supremes. 89 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English mono; Subtitles: French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
How To Stuff A Wild Bikini(1965) VHS
Fearful that buddy Dwayne Hickman will hit on Annette Funicello while he's on Naval Reserve duty, Frankie Avalon gets witch doctor Buster Keaton to send a magical bikini (stuffed with beautiful Beverly Adams) to woo away Hickman. And that's just the start of the hi-jinks in this bouncy beach comedy that also stars Mickey Rooney, The Kingsmen ("Louie Louie"), and Harvey Lembeck; look for Brian Wilson as a (what else?) "beach boy." 93 min.
I'll Take Sweden(1965) VHS
Overprotective dad Bob Hope gets transferred to Sweden in order to stop the romance between daughter Tuesday Weld and rock-and-roller Frankie Avalon. But soon she's romanced by a suave playboy, so Bob invites Frankie overseas to stop the liaison. Lively, music-filled comedy co-stars Dina Merrill, Jeremy Slate and The Vulcanes. 96 min.
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea (1961)/Fantastic Voyage [DVD](1966) DVD
When the Earth is endangered by radiation from outer space, the super-submarine Seaview must undertake a dangerous mission to save it. Exciting futuristic adventure stars Walter Pidgeon, Barbara Eden, Peter Lorre and Frankie Avalon. Then, Academy Award-winning, special effects-filled adventure follows an expedition through the human body by a team of miniaturized scientists. Have you ever seen killer white corpuscles? A close-up look at the human heart in action? This sci-fi classic has this...plus Raquel Welch in a wet suit! Stephen Boyd, Donald Pleasence. 205 min. total. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English, French; theatrical trailers.
Thunder Alley(1967) VHS
Stock car racer Fabian is forced to retire after a blackout on the track leads to the death of another driver. Taking a job with Jan Murray's "thrill circus," he teaches Annette Funicello and boyfriend Warren Berlinger to race, but when Fabian's old girlfriend causes friction between the trio, he must get back behind the wheel and overcome his affliction in this rubber-burning thriller from director Richard Rush ("The Stunt Man"). 90 min.
Grease: 2Oth Anniversary Edition(1978) VHS
Get out your poodle skirts and penny loafers and get ready to rock-and-roll with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the hit screen rendition of the Broadway musical look at '50s high school life. Songs include "Greased Lightning," "Summer Nights," "You're the One That I Want" and the title track. With Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Didi Conn, Eve Arden. This remastered anniversary edition also includes new interview footage with the cast and director Randal Kleiser.
Back To The Beach(1987) VHS
Your favorite seaside sweethearts, Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, return to the sunny shores of California in this winning spoof of their '60s beach movies. Now married, Frankie and Annette visit the old haunts with their kids and wind up singing, surfing, fighting and making up--just like in the old days. With Lori Loughlin, Connie Stevens and lots of cameos. 92 min.
Troop Beverly Hills(1989) VHS
New den mother Shelley Long pampers her daughter's Wilderness Girls troop with shopping trips and expeditions in the L.A. lifestyle in this outrageous comedy. With Betty Thomas, Craig T. Nelson. 105 min.
