Beach Party

Beach Party

Year: 1963

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: English

Director: William Asher

MusicComedySong and danceCatchy songs and hilarious musical comedyCharming romances and delightful chemistry

Surf’s up on a wildly swinging beach where anthropology professor Robert Orwell Sutwell and his secretary Marianne observe teenage sexual habits. The surfing crew, led by Frankie and Dee Dee, spend more time singing, dancing to Dick Dale and the Del Tones, and battling Eric Von Zipper’s motorcycle gang than getting intimate.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Beach Party yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Beach Party (1963)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Beach Party (1963). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

The events take place during the 1960s, a decade characterized by the rise of surf culture, youth rebellion, and social change. This period saw a fascination with surfing, beach parties, and a casual lifestyle that influenced youth fashion and entertainment.

Location

Southern California beaches, Beach house, Restaurant

The movie is set along the Southern California coastline, known for its surf culture and vibrant beach community. The beach house serves as a social hub for teenagers and locals, reflecting the lively, youthful atmosphere of the area. The local restaurant adds to the setting's casual, laid-back vibe, typical of beachside towns.

🌊 Beach 🏠 Coastal 🍽️ Local hangout

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:55

Main Characters – Beach Party (1963)

Meet the key characters of Beach Party (1963), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Frankie (Frankie Avalon)

Frankie is a young, passionate lover who is possessive and easily jealous. He is eager to prove his love but struggles with the complexities of teenage relationships amidst peer influences.

💘 Youthful 🔥 Jealous 😌 Romantic

Dolores (Annette Funicello)

Dolores is a girl seeking independence and love. She is manipulative yet vulnerable, caught between her feelings for Frankie and her desire for attention from others.

💃 Flirtatious 💔 Conflicted 💕 Romantic

Professor Sutwell (Robert Cummings)

Sutwell is an anthropologist studying teenage beach culture. His obliviousness to social cues and focus on research lead to comedic misunderstandings and personal realizations about love and connection.

🧑‍🎓 Scholar 🤔 Detached 💖 Thoughtful

Eric Von Zipper (Harvey Lembeck)

Eric is the antagonistic leader of the biker gang, the Rats. He is aggressive and protective of his crew, often causing trouble for the teenagers.

🏍️ Rebel 😠 Aggressive 🤙 Outlaw

Ava (unknown actor)

Ava is a sincere waitress whom Frankie flirts with to make Dolores jealous. She develops real feelings for Frankie, adding complexity to the love triangle.

🍽️ Friendly 💌 Sincere 😍 Hopeful

Marianne (Dorothy Malone)

Marianne is Sutwell's assistant who harbors romantic feelings for him. She is observant and discreet, ultimately rediscovering her own feelings.

🔍 Curious 💗 Unrequited 🌺 Romantic

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:55

Major Themes – Beach Party (1963)

Explore the central themes of Beach Party (1963), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌊 Youth and Love

The film explores the romantic entanglements and social dynamics of teenagers in a beach setting. Themes of love, jealousy, and friendship are central, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster of young relationships amid a carefree beach culture.

🧠 Cultural Observation

Through the character of Professor Sutwell, the movie examines the outsider's perspective on teenage behaviors and surf culture. It also touches on themes of miscommunication and the misunderstandings that arise from cultural differences.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:55

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Beach Party

Don't stop at just watching — explore Beach Party in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Beach Party is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Beach Party Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Beach Party, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Beach Party Summary

Beach Party Timeline

Track the full timeline of Beach Party with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Beach Party Timeline

Beach Party Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Beach Party that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Beach Party Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Beach Party

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Beach Party: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Beach Party

Explore More About Movie Beach Party

Beach Party (1963) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

Beach Party (1963) Scene-by-Scene Movie Timeline

Beach Party (1963) Spoiler-Free Summary & Key Flow