Elvis Presley became the king of rock and roll in the 1950s and turned into a major movie star. Frankie Avalon – who plays The Sharon on Aug. 7, at 4 and 7 p.m. – couldn’t quite match the King, but he also flipped a successful recording career into movie stardom.
Other 1950s’ singers such as Pat Boone, Fabian and Bobby Rydell all made it to the big screen. But Avalon created an enduring career on film that few of his singing peers could match.
From “The Alamo” to “Beach Blanket Bingo” to “Grease,” Avalon has been a major screen presence for decades.
It all started during his teen idol “Bandstand” days with Dick Clark during the 1950s.
Avalon’s musical hits included “Venus,” “De De Dinah,” “Bobbysocks to Stockings,” “Gingerbread” and “Just Ask Your Heart.” He sold millions of records and also recorded the final No. 1 single of the 1950s – “Why,” which hit the top of the charts in December 1959.
“I have to sing the old songs,” Frankie Avalon told Villages-News.com during his last visit here. “That’s what the people who come to see me want to hear.”
Avalon is 76, but he still revels in singing and performing.
“I enjoy people, I think that’s the key,” Avalon said during his last appearance here. “You’ve got to like people. If you don’t like people, then find another job.”
Avalon praised The Villages.
“It’s an amazing place,” he said. “To be here is wonderful. People here are so friendly and have a great attitude. It’s terrific.”
Like his songs, Frankie Avalon’s movies live on.
“I saw all those beach movies with Frankie and Annette (Funicello),” said Villager Jean Boone who attended Avalon’s last show in The Villages. “I feel like I know both of them. Annette is gone but Frankie is still here, and I want to see him.”
Despite his age, Avalon possesses an energetic quality to go along with his handsome features.
“He’s still got the look,” said fan Patsy Woodruff at Avalon’s last show here. “Those old songs and movies still hold up and we still love him.”
Here is a look at some of Avalon’s movies:
“Grease,” (1978): Avalon is only on screen for a few minutes but he nearly steals the film as a teen angel singing, “Beauty School Dropout.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njSQVLDl3-s
“Beach Blanket Bingo” (1965): Frankie and Annette hit the high point of their “Beach” movies. Don Rickles, Paul Lynde and silent-film legend Buster Keaton all turn up in this teen farce.
https://youtu.be/wbFUyhFG2vY
“The Alamo” (1960). John Wayne’s epic tribute to the Alamo, with a cast that included Richard Widmark and Laurence Harvey. Frankie ditches his South Philadelphia accent to turn into a young cowboy. Avalon was the only star to survive the attack in the movie.
“Beach Party” (1963). The first Beach movie with Frankie and Annette. Robert Cummings, Dorothy Malone and Morey Amsterdam appear in the flick.
“Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea” (1961). Frankie is a trumpet-playing crew member of the Seaview submarine. Also on board are Barbra Eden, Joan Fontaine, Walter Pidgeon and Peter Lorre.
“Guns of the Timberland” (1960): Frankie’s first film, starring Alan Ladd and Jeanne Crain.
“Panic in the Year Zero” (1962): Frankie’s freakiest film, about what happens after nuclear war. Ray Miland and Jean Hagen also appear.
“Back to the Beach” (1987): Frankie and Annette reunite in middle age.
“Fireball 500” (1966): Frankie and old Philly pal Fabian do some major hot rodding with Annette.
“I’ll Take Sweden” (1965): Frankie makes it to a Bob Hope comedy, along with Tuesday Weld and Dina Merrill.
“The Take” (1974): It’s an urban cops and robbers story as Frankie gets down with Billy Dee Williams and Eddie Albert.
