Annette's Swan Song for American International
"Thunder Alley" was Annette Funicello's final film for AIP and although it probably won't rank as one of her fans' favorites, it is nevertheless an entertaining and fast-paced story as well as something of a change of pace for Annette. When this was released in 1967, her successful series of beach party movies had finally run its course as times were changing and light-hearted movies with clean-cut teens frolicking on the beach had become passe. Movies were becoming more "risque" both in subject matter and in what could be shown on screen,i.e.,nudity, sex & violence. A rating system would soon be created to deal with this emerging frankness in the movie industry. Since this movie has never been on video before and is rarely even shown on television, I was thrilled when MGM released it as part of its "Midnite Movies" series of sell-thru titles. The box artwork is gorgeous (as are all of the titles I've purchased so far in this series)and the source print is acceptable though not as pristine as I would like. It would also have been nice if they had included the original theatrical trailer as they have on many of the other titles (one of my favorite parts of going to the movies as a kid was watching the "previews of coming attractions"). One word of warning to those of you who are Annette's beach movie fans: there's no slapstick comedy and Annette only sings one song (the soundtrack by Mike Curb is quite good). This is more of a drama and there's even a scene with Annette (as a stock car driver!) getting tipsy and driving drunk! Overall, this film is a nostalgic relic of its era and a must for fans of Annette and/or AIP.
ABOUT US | CONTACT | ADVERTISING | LINK US | RSS
Blackhole Motorsports Copyright © 2004. Hosted by Isolcom Interactive Ltd.
)
