A Groovy Introduction to The Beach Girls and The Monster
Stereotypes often feel subjective. For me, the 1960s are perfectly captured in The Beach Girls and The Monster. It’s one of my favorite films, and the intro is exactly how I imagine that incredible decade. It sets the tone for the entire movie. Don’t expect a deep storyline, stunning effects, or a cinematic masterpiece—just sit back and enjoy a vintage adventure. If you’re around my age, this might be how you picture 1965 too. For those who actually remember 1965, your experience might be different. If so, share your thoughts in the comments. Now, grab your surfboard—let’s go surfing!
1960s Fashion in The Beach Girls and The Monster
I may have mentioned this before, but I have a confession to make. I often regret certain decisions, especially missed purchases. My wife and I, both antique junkies, were on vacation in Florida when I found a handmade pink and white 1960s bikini. It was priced at $65, and I passed on it. In hindsight, I should have bought it. The Beach Girls and The Monster opens with similar bikinis and classic ‘60s shimmy dancing on a beach to surf rock. At this point, I’m half-expecting the monster to join in the dance. After all, it’s 1965—monsters weren’t exactly terrifying back then, right?
A Retro House Tour in The Beach Girls and The Monster
Let’s talk about some of the “1960s stuff” in The Beach Girls and The Monster. The house in the movie really caught my attention. According to IMDB, it belonged to the film’s art director, Shirley Rose, and her husband, Henry. Located at 816 Glenmere Way in West Los Angeles, the house is now blurred on Google Maps. You can, however, watch a YouTube video of it today here. I think it was far more impressive in 1965. The view over the city lights of LA from the poolside is breathtaking, even in an old film like this. Inside, the house features a bar with steps leading down to it, allowing a character to serve drinks at the proper level, casually grabbing a Coke from the fridge. The photo below is of the house today.
Let’s talk about some of the “1960s stuff” in The Beach Girls and The Monster. The house in the movie really caught my attention. According to IMDB, it belonged to the film’s art director, Shirley Rose, and her husband, Henry. Located at 816 Glenmere Way in West Los Angeles, the house is now blurred on Google Maps. You can, however, watch a YouTube video of it today here. I think it was far more impressive in 1965. The view over the city lights of LA from the poolside is breathtaking, even in an old film like this. Inside, the house features a bar with steps leading down to it, allowing a character to serve drinks at the proper level, casually grabbing a Coke from the fridge. The photo above is of the house today.
The house also boasts various 1960s furnishings. Highlights include the eclectic wall textures, unique light fixtures, a pottery kiln, and an unusual doorbell. The rooms feature multiple wall textures—one might be brick, while another has period-patterned wallpaper. The living room fireplace is quite impressive. There’s a wooden wall with a patterned cutout leading into the bar, providing partial visibility into the next room. And there’s what looks like an indoor wind chime, which is actually a doorbell. You can see a similar one here. I’ve never seen one before. It’s clear from these glimpses that the Roses were quite affluent in 1965. Look at the lights I’m referring to in the screenshot below.
The house also boasts various 1960s furnishings. Highlights include the eclectic wall textures, unique light fixtures, a pottery kiln, and an unusual doorbell. The rooms feature multiple wall textures—one might be brick, while another has period-patterned wallpaper. The living room fireplace is quite impressive. There’s a wooden wall with a patterned cutout leading into the bar, providing partial visibility into the next room. And there’s what looks like an indoor wind chime, which is actually a doorbell. You can see a similar one here. I’ve never seen one before. It’s clear from these glimpses that the Roses were quite affluent in 1965. Look at the lights I’m referring to in the screenshot above.
Scooby-Doo Vibes in The Beach Girls and The Monster
Though Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? didn’t premiere until 1969, The Beach Girls and The Monster shares a similar vibe. The monster is obviously someone in a costume—this is clear from the start, especially considering the film was made in 1965. As the plot unfolds, this becomes even more obvious. In the final scenes, a second mask is found, and during a confrontation, the monster’s mask is removed, revealing a man. The “meddling kids” are then in a car chase with the police, ending in one of the most hilariously fake crashes I’ve ever seen. This scene could be from a bad special effects reel. When the son tries to approach the crashed car to check on his father, who was the monster, the cop says, “You can’t get within 50 feet of that vehicle.” And just like that, the film abruptly ends.
Speaking of cheesy effects, the driving scenes deserve a mention. Have you ever seen those old movies where a stationary car is surrounded by projected footage to create the illusion of movement? That’s exactly what The Beach Girls and The Monster does. The film features some standout vehicles, like a ’63 Corvette Stingray, a ’63 Cadillac Eldorado, and a ’59 MG A 1600—all of which look great on screen. I never thought I’d say this, but I actually liked the Stingray more than the Caddy—Wow! Check out all the classic cars in the movie here. The photo below is of a model car but, this is very similar to the Stingray you get to see in The Beach Girls and The Monster.
Surf Culture Highlights in The Beach Girls and The Monster
Night surfing just doesn’t sound like a good idea—though, to be fair, I’d need to learn how to surf during the day first. If you’re into surf culture, this movie is a must-watch. Here’s why: The Beach Girls and The Monster includes a fair amount of filler. Normally, I’m not a fan of filler, but it works here. The movie features authentic vintage surf footage, projected within a 1960s high-end home, giving viewers a genuine taste of surf culture and ‘60s tech. This pairs perfectly with the movie’s score. The opening song, “Dance Baby Dance,” written by Frank Sinatra Jr., is a catchy surf rock tune. The soundtrack seamlessly transitions between surf rock and music reminiscent of The Pink Panther skulking around.
Naturally, surf rock means beaches, girls, and bikinis—and The Beach Girls and The Monster has them all. This brings us to the film’s most comedic moment: a nighttime beach party. I haven’t laughed this hard in a while at something so poorly executed. Did kids really have beach parties with dancing and bonfires in 1965? If you know, please let me know in the comments. This scene features ventriloquist puppets, annoying voices, spontaneous singing, make-out sessions, and silly glasses with springy eyeballs. Thankfully, this filler segment doesn’t last too long.
Unexplained Twists in The Beach Girls and The Monster
Like many films, The Beach Girls and The Monster has several unexplained elements that don’t quite add up. For instance, one character is hobbling from an unspecified accident, unable to save a friend from the monster, make out, or even go to work. Yet, he somehow disappears from conversations like a ninja, scales cliffs, and steals cars. When the police arrive, their sudden appearance is unexplained—no one called them, there were no gunshots or screams. Someone, please explain—who called 911?
1960s Beach Party Fun in The Beach Girls and The Monster
Despite its flaws, The Beach Girls and The Monster has enough 1960s beach party fun to make it a memorable movie from that era. If you watch it expecting a fun, nostalgic trip filled with shimmy dancing and a goofy monster, you’re in for a great movie night. But if you’re hoping for scares or suspense, you’ll be disappointed. Retro fans, antique collectors, sci-fi enthusiasts, horror history buffs, and vintage surf lovers will likely enjoy this film. You can even watch it for free on YouTube here. If you have answers to any questions I’ve asked in this blog, please share them in the comments.
In conclusion, if you know of other movies like The Beach Girls and The Monster, please share your recommendations. I genuinely enjoyed this one. On an art-related note, the poster for this movie is fantastic—I’d love to frame a copy and display it if I could find one at the right price. Follow my art journey on social media, visit my website, and consider buying my art here. If you liked this blog or the movie, please share it. Peace.