TALK WAS
Annette Funicello-America’s Sweetheart with Style, Grace, Dignity and Love
To another generation America’s Sweetheart was silent film star Mary Pickford. To our generation a strong argument could be made that Annette Funicello held that title.
We watched her grow like the girl next door. Annette was born of Italian parents on October 22, 1942 in Utica, New York. By four years old the family had moved to Southern California.
“I always thought of Walt Disney as my second father” In 1955 at the age of 12 years old, Annette was discovered by Walt Disney. She was already a child performer and Disney was interested in having her join a television crew of young talented kids-behold the Mouseketeers were born. They were the back bone of the Mickey Mouse Club show.
Annette’s popularity grew by massive proportions. At one point she was receiving over 6,000 letters a month. During these years Disney recognized she was a hot talent. Annette dazzled in dance, singing and acting and Disney knew it. He took a personal interest in the youngster’s career.
“Mr. Disney believed everyone was still a child inside.” For a birthday gift Disney gave her the opportunity to be featured in three Zorro television episodes. Disney was grooming her for bigger things.
Annette Funicello
She had hit recordings with “Tall Paul,” O Dio Mio,” and “The Train of Love.” It was said that the Paul Anka’s hit, “Puppy Love” was written for Annette after Disney frowned on the relationship.
As she got older she starred with Frankie Avalon in the famous Beach Party films. She and Frankie were certified teen idols. “Beach Party” made in 1963 started the series. Followed by “Muscle Beach Party.” Then in 1964 they also released “Bikini Beach,” and “Pajama Party.”
They went on to make “Beach Blanket Bingo” in 1965 and “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini” in 1965. Disney was sensitive to Annette showing her navel. It would be tough making a film with the word “Bikini” in the title, if the star didn’t wear one.
Annette took life easy for a few years. She made the famous Skippy Peanut Butter commercials which proved successful. She toured with Frankie as a singing act in 1987.While on the tour Annette experiences bouts of dizzy spells. She kept it from family and friends.
Feeling the love from the public, Frankie and Annette decided to produce the last beach film. They created “Back to the Beach.” The plot was simple. Annette and Frankie were married and made the trip back to the California beach to see their daughter and save her from a gang of tough surfers. Frankie had to protect his reputation as the King Kahuna of the beach by out-surfing all of the younger boys and saving the daughter while introducing her to a more wholesome lifestyle.
In 1992 Annette announced that she had Multiple Sclerosis. The next year she set up a fund for neurological disorders. By 2004 she could not walk. She lost her speech in 2009.
At seventy years old Annette left a legacy of honor and purity not only on the screen but in her personal life. She left 19 record albums, 20 films and 2 books. Daughter Gina, who with her siblings, were at Annette’s deathbed said: “She’s on her toes dancing in heaven. No more MS. My brother and I were there holding her sweet hand when she left us.”
“The Lord has been with me throughout my life. He’s never let me down.”
Contributed by staff writer George Khoury