“They called me ‘the rebel chick’…or ‘the biker chick’
after I did the Peter Fonda Wild Angels movie.”
That was Nancy’s response to Howie Mandel’s observation that Nancy had been the “precursor” to Madonna. [The Howie Mandel Show, May 17, 1999]
When the interview moved to the topic of her co-starring role with Elvis Presley in Speedway, Nancy jokingly referred to her “epic film career.” Although Nancy is modest regarding her motion pictures, they are fondly appreciated by aficionados of her work. The following vintage movie posters, lobby cards, production stills, and publicity photos were created as promotional items for Nancy’s films. However, they can now be enjoyed as pieces of art which document the celluloid aspect of Nancy’s international impact on culture.
Nancy’s Role:
Karen Cross
Writers:
James O’Hanlon (screenplay), George O’Hanlon (screenplay),
Dan Beaumont (screenplay and story)
Director:
Leslie H. Martinson
Theatrical Release:
1964
DVD Release:
None
“We did have fun making the movie because it was with a great bunch of people.” ~ Nancy [source]
In 1963, Nancy made her acting debut on television in an episode of The Virginian (“If You Have Tears” [February 13, 1963]). Later that year, she appeared in an episode of Burke’s Law (“Who Killed Wade Walker?” [November 15, 1963]). For Those Who Think Young provided Nancy’s first role in a motion picture.
The 27″ x 41″ U.S. one sheet (left) and 14″ x 36″ U.S. insert (right) posters convey the film’s sense of fun.
James Darren, who is the godfather of Nancy’s daughter AJ, was a guest on Nancy’s Sirius radio show, Nancy For Frank (Show #136, November 7, 2010). Nancy noted, “Jimmy is one of the best friends anyone can possibly have…” [source]
Nancy, James Darren (Gardner “Ding” Pruitt III), and Claudia Martin (Sue Lewis) are pictured in a publicity photo. Nancy and Claudia Martin would later work together on The Ghost In The Invisible Bikini, as well.
For a look at James Darren’s customized Buick “Villa” Riviera from the movie, see the “‘…riding shotgun, windows down,’ Part Two: Nancy and Classic Cars at the Movies” blog entry.
In Austria, the film is known as Strandparty Bei Mondschein. This 59-cm x 84-cm poster features Nancy’s co-star Bob Denver.
Nancy remembered Bob Denver after his passing in September 2005: “A dear friend who will be missed.” [source]
Nancy and Bob (as her boyfriend, Kelp) appear on the For Those Who Think Young U.S. lobby card #3.
In the “Ho Daddy, Surf’s Up” beach scene, Nancy draws a face on Bob’s chin and buries him in the sand, prior to his rap performance:
“When you lose control and get caught in a swirl
That crazy dive is what you call a pearl
When the brave is on you to go top speed
Hold over the nose is all you need.”
In a 2009 Sinatra Family Forum post, Nancy described Bob Denver as “a very sweet person.” [source]
Nancy’s Role:
Lynne
Writer:
Robert E. Kent
Director:
Sidney Miller
Theatrical Release:
1964
DVD-R Release:
2011
The following 22″ x 28″ U.S. half sheet poster features an image of Nancy (right) from the ballet/watusi scene (above) in the movie, along with her co-stars (left to right) Mary Ann Mobley (Terry), Chris Noel (Sue Ann), and Joan O’Brien (Marge).
It is interesting to note that all four of the film’s female stars also appeared in Elvis movies: Nancy in Speedway, Mary Ann Mobley in Harum Scarum and Girl Happy, Chris Noel in Girl Happy, and Joan O’Brien in It Happened At The World’s Fair. There are many other cast connections: Nancy, Mary Ann Mobley, and Joan O’Brien all guest-starred on episodes of The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and Burke’s Law, and Chris Noel appeared in The Lieutenant, Robert Vaughn’s pre-U.N.C.L.E. TV series. Also: Nancy and Chris Noel played themselves on episodes of China Beach (“Chao Ong” [June 8, 1988] and “Vets” [March 15, 1989], respectively).
The following production still is derived from the scene in the office of the Dean (Dorothy Neumann) of Wyndham College, during which the lyrics (shown below) from Terry’s song “Get Yourself A College Girl” are discussed. (The song was actually written by director Sidney Miller and soundtrack composer Fred Karger.)
“Psychoanalytically
She’s not too complex,
She knows all of A to Z
Regarding S-E-X,
S-E-X spells sex.”
The extended version (5:20) of Nancy’s 2000 recording of “The Love Theme From’The Independent’,'” contains what can be interpreted as a reference to “Get Yourself A College Girl.” In the title song for the motion picture comedy, The Independent, Nancy amusingly delivers a partial filmography of fictional director Morty Fineman (played by Jerry Stiller). Nancy refers to “S-E-X: That Spells Sex” as one of his credits. The version of Nancy’s recording containing the reference can only be heard in the bonus feature “The Making Of ‘The Love Theme From ‘The Independent’ Starring Nancy Sinatra,” which is available on the film’s 2007 edition DVD. An edited version (3:30) of Nancy’s recording, which is featured over the movie’s closing credits, does not contain the reference. (“The Love Theme From ‘The Independent’” was written by Ben Vaughn.)
Nancy appears with her on-screen husband, Ray (played by Paul Todd), in one of the scenes set at Sun Valley. Nancy (as Lynne) is jealous of the attention that Ray has paid to Mary Ann Mobley’s character.
As Buscate Una Colegiala, a 31-cm x 41-cm lobby card from Mexico displays a cast photo with Chad Everett (who portrays song publisher Gary Underwood).
The back of a publicity photo with an airborne Chad Everett indicates the film’s working title: The Go-Go Set.
Confessions Of A Pin-Up Girl: The Hollywood Sex Symbol Who Became A Vietnam Icon, a memoir by Chris Noel (who is pictured next to Nancy in the photo), was published in 2011. Nancy wrote the book’s introduction, in which she recognizes her co-star’s work: “Chris Noel helped create ’60s pop culture.” Chris had written the foreword for the 2001 book Fantasy Femmes Of Sixties Cinema (by Tom Lisanti), which includes a profile of Nancy.
The movie’s main title sequence song, “The Swingin’ Set,” provided the title of the film for its U.K. release. The song was co-written and sung by Donnie Brooks. Many years later, Nancy and Donnie would work with the same record producer, Ray Ruff (the One More Time CD for Nancy; Truth Of Truths for Donnie).
Although Nancy does not sing in the movie, it features the numerous musical acts who are included on the MGM soundtrack LP (E-4273 [mono]; SE-4273 [stereo]) and the 1992 Sony Music Special Products CD (AK 52420). Also pictured is the 14″ x 36″ U.S. insert poster.
The production still from the movie’s final scene, set at the campaign headquarters of Senator Morrison (played by Willard Waterman [pictured left]), shows Nancy (right) as she dances to The Animals’ performance of “Around And Around.”
In the 1960s, Nancy and The Animals worked with the renowned Mickie Most, who produced four tracks for Nancy (including “The Highway Song”) and many hits for The Animals. In 2000, Nancy and Eric Burdon, The Animals’ lead singer, appeared at the Whisky A Go Go, in Hollywood.
Here is the original movie trailer for Get Yourself A College Girl.
Nancy’s Role:
Tracy Edwards
Writer:
Cy Howard
Director:
Jack Donohue
Theatrical Release:
1965
DVD Release:
2008
“Dad began shooting Warner Bros.’ Marriage on the Rocks, a comedy co-starring Deborah Kerr and Dean Martin. I was also in the film, playing–who else–Dad’s daughter. At last I was actually able to be in a movie with my father and to observe firsthand the working Frank Sinatra. It was a good learning experience. I was very nervous. We had several scenes together and he was helpful, rehearsing with me and giving me suggestions. I must admit, I found the scenes we weren’t in together much easier to do.” ~ Nancy [source: March 8, 1965 entry]
The 14″ x 36″ U.S. insert and 27″ x 41″ U.S. one sheet posters.
In this production still, Uncle Ernie (Dean Martin) tells Tracy (Nancy) that she’s not allowed to live with her friend, go-go dancer Lisa.
Davey Davison (as Lisa Sterling) and Nancy.
Nancy’s on-screen, overly analytical boyfriend, Jim Blake, (played by Tony Bill) evokes wonderful comedic responses from FS. The customized “Zebra” Mustang, driven by Tony’s character in the movie, is featured in the “‘…riding shotgun, windows down,’ Part Two: Nancy and Classic Cars at the Movies” blog entry.
This lobby card for the release of the movie in France, as Les Inséparables, depicts a scene set at the Cafe-A-Go-Go, in which FS (as Dan Edwards), Nancy, and Tony Bill watch a performance of the song “Sinner Man” by Trini Lopez, Frank and Nancy’s fellow Reprise Records recording artist. The song is credited as “There Was A Sinner Man” in the movie’s main title sequence.
The Italian 45 picture sleeve (Reprise 02052 [right]) features the film’s stars, FS, Deborah Kerr, and Dean Martin, as well as the movie’s Italian title, Patto A Tre.
A pair of Patto A Tre insert posters (33-cm x 73-cm) from Italy.
Another lobby card for Les Inséparables employs the same image of Nancy and Frank that would appear a few years later on the 45 picture sleeve of the Japanese reissue of “Somethin’ Stupid” (Reprise SJET-1153).
The Marriage On The Rocks trailer.
Nancy’s Role:
Vicki
Writers:
Louis M. Heyward (screenplay and story), Elwood Ullman (screenplay)
Director:
Don Weis
Theatrical Release:
1966
DVD Release:
2004
The 27″ x 41″ U.S. one sheet poster.
American International Pictures issued a promotional 45 (No. 6604) containing radio spots for the movie’s release. A 60-second spot featuring Jesse White (J. Sinister Hulk) can be heard by clicking on the play button below.
The Ghost In The Invisible Bikini Radio Spot
Nancy and Aron Kincaid (Bobby) are featured on this lobby card from Mexico, where the film is known as Fantasma En El Bikini Invisible.
Following Aron’s passing in January 2011, Nancy remarked, “Together we may have been in the worst film ever made but Aron was a fine artist and a member of the USCG.” [source]
For a variation of the Mexican lobby card, Nancy protects Aron in this publicity photo.
A 50-cm x 70-cm poster from Italy displays the film’s Italian title: Il Castello Delle Donne Maledette.
The Italian poster is derived from this publicity photo, which discloses additional context for Nancy’s reaction. The “context” is revealed in the movie as Benny Rubin’s character, Chicken Feather, in costume.
From Nancy’s “I’m Vicki” scene, this production still, created for the movie’s 1968 TV release, represents Vicki’s introduction to Reginald Ripper (Basil Rathbone) and his daughter (Quinn O’Hara).
A production still, from the scene immediately preceding Nancy’s “Geronimo” segment, features Nancy and Aron in the foreground, and Basil Rathbone, Deborah Walley (Lili), Patsy Kelly (Myrtle), and Tommy Kirk (Chuck) in the background.
In The Ghost In The Invisible Bikini movie trailer, a clip of Nancy’s performance of “Geronimo” is featured. The recording would remain unreleased on any audio format for thirty-three years, until its inclusion on Nancy’s 1999 You Go-Go Girl! compilation CD. An instrumental version of “Geronimo” is employed in the film’s closing credits, as Nancy dances with Aron Kincaid.
Nancy’s International Movie Poster Gallery, Part Two looks at The Last Of The Secret Agents? and The Wild Angels.
Nancy’s International Movie Poster Gallery, Part Three focuses on Nancy and Elvis in Speedway.
