Mickey Rooney in HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINI (1965)

How to Stuff a Wild Bikini is a 1965 beach party film from American International Pictures. The sixth entry in a seven-film series, the movie features Mickey Rooney, Annette Funicello, Dwayne Hickman, Brian Donlevy, and Beverly Adams. The film features brief, uncredited appearances by Frankie Avalon and includes Buster Keaton in one of his last roles.

Mickey Rooney agreed to play a supporting role at $5,000 for one week's work in order to pay off some tax debts.

Production

How to Stuff a Wild Bikini was the last "beach party" film to feature Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.

Avalon appears on-screen for about six minutes; his small role was attributed to the fact that he was filming another AIP production, 1965's Sergeant Deadhead.

Tommy Kirk was originally announced as the male lead but shortly before filming he was arrested for possession of marijuana. He was dropped from the movie and was replaced by Dwayne Hickman.

Filming started in April 1965 and took 15 days. Annette Funicello was pregnant during shooting and was shot mostly wearing blousy tunics or with a prop in front of her (e.g., a bowl of popcorn, a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken).

The film features the only big screen appearance by The Kingsmen, who performed "Give Her Lovin'."

Elizabeth Montgomery made a cameo appearance as Bwana's daughter who is known as 'The Witches Witch' at the end of the film. Montgomery appeared in a parody of the character she played in Bewitched, which was also directed by her then-husband, William Asher, who also served as director on the film.

The opening credits were done using clay animation done by Art Clokey, the creator of Gumby.