Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:07 PM Apr 2013

It wasn't just the boys who had a big crush...

on the late, great Annette Funicello.

Every girl in my neighborhood literally used to run the ten blocks home from grade school. Had to catch the "Club" every afternoon at 3:30 p.m. CT.

You could hear the strains of the "MM Club Theme Song" ringing out from every living room for blocks around.

Every girl wanted to be Annette! My family couldn't afford it, but boy, did I hanker after a pair of those ears! (not to mention the T-shirt!)

Here in Annette's great honor:
(As an added bonus, this first vid includes the Sunday night lead-in to "Wonderful World of Disney--Disneyland."



&list=PLD493EAA0DCEE43EB
16 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
 

graham4anything

(11,464 posts)
1. Rest in peace Annette. Everyone loved her.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:09 PM
Apr 2013

Makes me very sad that Annette died.
She made the world a happier place, and her inspirational spirit the last 15 years was so amazing.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
3. Adored her--her mere name offered visions of things exotic...
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:16 PM
Apr 2013

Coming from the deep Midwest heartland, I didn't know any Italian families. Lots of Germans, Swedes, Czechs, but no Italians.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
4. Wonder how many of those kids went on to further
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:21 PM
Apr 2013

showbiz careers. They were some multi-talented wonders to my naive, cloistered eyes!

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
8. Couldn't say. Even in those young, tender years, I just couldn't
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:45 PM
Apr 2013

bear to watch Lawrence Welk. He always gave me the willies. Something icky and off-putting in him made me think of child abuse. (Not to mention the gooey music...)

notadmblnd

(23,720 posts)
11. If my parents were watching it, we were watching it.
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 07:09 PM
Apr 2013

Mitch Miller too. Follow the bouncing ball.... Remember him?

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
12. Same here, but I had to leave the room! LOL! Went off to read...
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 07:16 PM
Apr 2013

Preferred Mitch Miller--more engaging, less syrupy.

notadmblnd

(23,720 posts)
13. I liked the cigar commercials
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 07:19 PM
Apr 2013

Were they El Producto? There were 3 guys dressed as the Musketeers on the box and they would sing the comercial.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
15. "For a new high in natural mildness..." LOL! Yeah, I vaguely
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 07:31 PM
Apr 2013

remember that ad and El Producto cigars.

Here's the hilarious George Burns, who often flogged them as well:

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
5. I just found a photo of me wearing my mouse ears, watching the Mickey Mouse Club
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:26 PM
Apr 2013

My brother was wearing his Davy Crockett hat and we were both totally focused on that old black and white television set.

Sweet but sad memory because now both Annette and my brother are gone.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
9. Sorry to hear about your brother, Siwsan...Can you
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:53 PM
Apr 2013

scan the pic and post it? I adore seeing kids in their ears.

What innocent, happily-ignorant times those were. Who knew that "Uncle Walt" was a right-wing nut job and that Disney, Inc. was pushing a saccharin, distorted ideal of "main street" USA?

We just loved the music and drama.

Siwsan

(26,177 posts)
14. I wish my scanner was working
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 07:22 PM
Apr 2013

You know, 'post of childhood photo of yourself' would be a really, really fun thread! Once I get a working scanner, I might start one.


 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
16. Great idea...I love posts like that and seem to be getting more and more
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 07:37 PM
Apr 2013

nostalgic in my "third age" (the French description for elderly people.)

RudynJack

(1,044 posts)
7. Coincidentally...
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:31 PM
Apr 2013

we watched "Beach Party" on Saturday.

It's sad she's gone, but even sadder is how difficult her later years were for her.

 

Surya Gayatri

(15,445 posts)
10. I was rarely allowed to go to the movies, so never really got the full
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 06:58 PM
Apr 2013

effect of the "Beach Blanket" phase of her career. In my heart, she'll always be the singing and dancing marvel on MMC.

ETA: My prudish, Presbyterian mother balked at the suggestive possibilities of "Beach Blanket Bingo". LOL! And to think how innocent those movies actually were!

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»It wasn't just the boys w...