Wild Wild Winter
Encyclopedia
Wild Wild Winter is a 1966 Universal Pictures
comedy film in the beach party genre
, starring Gary Clarke
and Chris Noel. It is directed by standup comedian Lennie Weinrib
and produced by Bart Patton
and is notable for featuring Jay and the Americans
and the duo of Dick and Dee Dee in their only film appearances. The Beau Brummels
, Jackie and Gayle and The Astronauts also perform onscreen.
friend from California
to seduce Susan Benchley (Noel), head of the school sorority and secretary to Dean Carlton (James Wellman), because Susan has brainwashed the other female students on campus to avoid dating the boys. Ronnie sets out a plan to become captain of the ski team and win over Susan, who is engaged to John Harris (Steve Franken), while he also attempts to save the school from its financial troubles.
near Lake Tahoe
, California.
Wild Wild Winter is the last of four films in the beach party genre that made use of a winter setting. The other three are MGM’s Get Yourself a College Girl
(1964), AIP
’s Ski Party
(1965), and Columbia Pictures
’ Winter A-Go-Go (1965).
A follow-up to Lennie Weinrib’s previous beach party film, Beach Ball
, this film was originally titled Snow Ball, then Snowbound (the only lyrics to Wild Wild Wild Winter’s opening theme song are “Snowbound, snowbound!”) While technically not a sequel to Beach Ball, this film utilizes the same writer (Sam Locke) as well four actors from that film’s cast: Chris Noel (named Susan in both films), Don Edmonds, James Wellman and Dick Miller.
Weinrib’s directing career consisted of only three films – all in the beach party genre: the aforementioned Beach Ball from 1965, and both Wild Wild Winter and Out of Sight
from 1966.
The Astronauts
was a Boulder, Colorado-based surf band
who had a Billboard Top 100
hit in 1963 with their song “Baja.” They appeared in three other beach party films (Surf Party
, Wild on the Beach
and Out of Sight
) – more than any other surf band.
. Both films are his only onscreen credits.
"Wild Wild Winter," the theme song to the film, was composed by Chester Pipkin.
The Beau Brummels are shown performing their own "Just Wait and See."
The Astronauts perform "A Change of Heart," written by Mark Gordon and the film’s composer Chester Pipkin.
Al Capps and Mary Dean wrote two songs heard in the film, "Our Love's Gonna Snowball," sung by Jackie and Gayle; and "Heartbeats" sung by Dick and Dee Dee with the Astronauts shown as performing back-up.
The Astronauts are also shown as providing back-up for Jay and the Americans' performance of “Two of a Kind" (written by Victor Millrose and Tony Bruno).
A soundtrack to the film was released on Decca Records
in December 1965.
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
comedy film in the beach party genre
Beach Party film
Beach party movies were an American 1960s genre of feature films created by American International Pictures with their surprise 1963 hit, Beach Party, and copied by virtually every other studio...
, starring Gary Clarke
Gary Clarke
Gary Clarke is an American actor best known for his role as Steve Hill in the NBC western television series The Virginian with James Drury. Clarke appeared on the program only for its first three seasons, 1962—1964...
and Chris Noel. It is directed by standup comedian Lennie Weinrib
Lennie Weinrib
Lennie Weinrib was an American actor, voice actor and writer. He is best known for playing the title role in the children's television show H.R...
and produced by Bart Patton
Bart Patton
Bart Patton born Phillip Bardwell in Culver City, California on 11 July 1939 is an American actor, producer, and director.-Biography:Bart's first acting job was as Scampy the Clown in Super Circus where he was credited as "Bardy Patton". He continued making acting appearances in souch television...
and is notable for featuring Jay and the Americans
Jay and the Americans
Jay and the Americans was a pop music group popular in the 1960s. Their initial lineup consisted of John "Jay" Traynor, Howard Kane , Kenny Vance and Sandy Deanne , though their greatest success on the charts came after Traynor had been replaced as lead singer by Jay Black.-Early years:They were...
and the duo of Dick and Dee Dee in their only film appearances. The Beau Brummels
The Beau Brummels
The Beau Brummels were an American rock band. Formed in San Francisco in 1964, the band's original lineup included Sal Valentino , Ron Elliott , Ron Meagher , Declan Mulligan , and John Petersen...
, Jackie and Gayle and The Astronauts also perform onscreen.
Plot
Fraternity brothers at the fictional Alpine College in the mountains recruit Ronnie Duke (Clarke), a surferSurfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
friend from California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
to seduce Susan Benchley (Noel), head of the school sorority and secretary to Dean Carlton (James Wellman), because Susan has brainwashed the other female students on campus to avoid dating the boys. Ronnie sets out a plan to become captain of the ski team and win over Susan, who is engaged to John Harris (Steve Franken), while he also attempts to save the school from its financial troubles.
Production notes
This film was shot on location at the Alpine Meadows Ski ResortAlpine Meadows, California
Alpine Meadows is an unincorporated community in Placer County, California. The community is located on Bear Creek, west of Tahoe City, at an elevation of .-Community:...
near Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada of the United States. At a surface elevation of , it is located along the border between California and Nevada, west of Carson City. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America. Its depth is , making it the USA's second-deepest...
, California.
Wild Wild Winter is the last of four films in the beach party genre that made use of a winter setting. The other three are MGM’s Get Yourself a College Girl
Get Yourself a College Girl
Get Yourself a College Girl is a 1964 Metrocolor film comedy in the style of a beach party movie. The plot involves a college co-ed who tries to balance her time writing songs and dealing with her publisher who tries to pursue her. It was directed by Sidney Miller and written by Robert E...
(1964), AIP
AIP
-Computing:* Adaptive Internet Protocol, a protocol used by Sun Secure Global Desktop* Application Infrastructure Provider, an IT role for software support-Financial:...
’s Ski Party
Ski Party
Ski Party is a B-movie, directed by Alan Rafkin, and released in 1965 by American International Pictures. Ski Party is part of the 1960s Beach Party film genre, with a change of setting from the beach to the slopes - although the final scene places everyone back at the beach...
(1965), and Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
’ Winter A-Go-Go (1965).
A follow-up to Lennie Weinrib’s previous beach party film, Beach Ball
Beach ball
A beach ball is an inflatable ball for beach and water games. Their large size ball and light weight take little effort to propel; they travel very slowly and generally must be caught with two hands, making them ideal for lazy games and for children...
, this film was originally titled Snow Ball, then Snowbound (the only lyrics to Wild Wild Wild Winter’s opening theme song are “Snowbound, snowbound!”) While technically not a sequel to Beach Ball, this film utilizes the same writer (Sam Locke) as well four actors from that film’s cast: Chris Noel (named Susan in both films), Don Edmonds, James Wellman and Dick Miller.
Weinrib’s directing career consisted of only three films – all in the beach party genre: the aforementioned Beach Ball from 1965, and both Wild Wild Winter and Out of Sight
Out of Sight (1966 film)
Out of Sight is a 1966 beach party film with elements of the spy spoof. It is the third and last of a series of films geared at teenagers by director Lennie Weinrib and producer Bart Patton for Universal Pictures...
from 1966.
The Astronauts
The Astronauts (band)
The Astronauts were an American rock and roll band, who had a minor hit in 1963 with "Baja" and remained successful for several years, especially in Japan...
was a Boulder, Colorado-based surf band
Surf music
Surf music is a genre of popular music associated with surf culture, particularly as found in Orange County and other areas of Southern California. It was particularly popular between 1961 and 1965, has subsequently been revived and was highly influential on subsequent rock music...
who had a Billboard Top 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit in 1963 with their song “Baja.” They appeared in three other beach party films (Surf Party
Surf party
Surf Party is a 1964 beach party film directed by Maury Dexter. It is notable for the musical acts showcased onscreen, as well as for being the first direct imitation of AIP’s hit Beach Party, which was released six months earlier. It also notable for being one of the few films in the genre shot...
, Wild on the Beach
Wild on the Beach
Wild on the Beach is a 1965 beach party film directed by Maury Dexter. It is notable for the musical acts showcased onscreen, being the film debut of Sonny & Cher in particular...
and Out of Sight
Out of Sight (1966 film)
Out of Sight is a 1966 beach party film with elements of the spy spoof. It is the third and last of a series of films geared at teenagers by director Lennie Weinrib and producer Bart Patton for Universal Pictures...
) – more than any other surf band.
Music
The composer for this film, Jerry Long, also wrote the score for another beach party film, Catalina CaperCatalina Caper
Catalina Caper is a 1967 comedy musical mystery film starring Tommy Kirk. It is one of the last in the beach party film genre. This entry blends the beach format with a standard crime-caper comedy...
. Both films are his only onscreen credits.
"Wild Wild Winter," the theme song to the film, was composed by Chester Pipkin.
The Beau Brummels are shown performing their own "Just Wait and See."
The Astronauts perform "A Change of Heart," written by Mark Gordon and the film’s composer Chester Pipkin.
Al Capps and Mary Dean wrote two songs heard in the film, "Our Love's Gonna Snowball," sung by Jackie and Gayle; and "Heartbeats" sung by Dick and Dee Dee with the Astronauts shown as performing back-up.
The Astronauts are also shown as providing back-up for Jay and the Americans' performance of “Two of a Kind" (written by Victor Millrose and Tony Bruno).
A soundtrack to the film was released on Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
in December 1965.
Cast
- Gary ClarkeGary ClarkeGary Clarke is an American actor best known for his role as Steve Hill in the NBC western television series The Virginian with James Drury. Clarke appeared on the program only for its first three seasons, 1962—1964...
as Ronnie - Chris Noel as Susan
- Steve Franken as John
- Don Edmonds as Burt
- Suzie Kaye as Sandy
- Les Brown, Jr. as Perry
- James Wellman as Dean
- Val AveryVal AveryVal Avery was an American character actor who appeared in hundreds of movies and television shows since the 1950s. In a career that spanned 50 years, Avery appeared in over 100 films and had appearances in over 300 television series.-Early life:Avery was born in Philadelphia...
as Fox - James FrawleyJames FrawleyJames Frawley is an American director and actor. Frawley was born in Houston, Texas. He has worked on Smallville, Ghost Whisperer, Judging Amy and The Monkees, as well as many other programs...
as Stone - Anna Lavelle as Bus Bit Girl
- Linda Rogers as Trisha
- Buck Holland as McGee
- The Beau BrummelsThe Beau BrummelsThe Beau Brummels were an American rock band. Formed in San Francisco in 1964, the band's original lineup included Sal Valentino , Ron Elliott , Ron Meagher , Declan Mulligan , and John Petersen...
- The Astronauts
- Loren Janes as The Bear
- Jay & the Americans
- Dick MillerDick MillerRichard "Dick" Miller is an American character actor who has appeared in over 100 films, particularly those produced by Roger Corman, and later in films of directors who started their careers with Corman, including James Cameron and Joe Dante, with the distinction of appearing in every film made...
as Rilk - Steven Rogers as Benton