Beach Blanket Bingo is the fourth film in American International Pictures’s (AIP) low-budget series of teenage beach movies directed by William Asher and starring Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, which followed the box-office success of Beach Party (1963, see entry), Muscle Beach Party, and Bikini Beach (1964, see entries). A production announcement appeared in the 22 Jul 1964 Var, which outlined AIP’s ambitious new schedule of twenty-four upcoming projects. According to the 5 Nov 1964 DV, Avalon’s latest contract included ten more films for the company, five of which (including Beach Blanket Bingo) were supposed to include an associate producing credit. The 1 Oct 1964 DV noted that Beach Blanket Bingo marked first picture overseen by AIP’s newly appointed production supervisor Jack Bohrer.
       In addition to Avalon and Funicello, Beach Blanket Bingo saw the return of many supporting players, including Harvey Lembeck, Jody McCrae, and Don Rickles. A 5 Aug 1964 Var article announced the introduction of AIP contract player Susan Hart, but her participation could not be confirmed. Film casting items in the 3 Dec 1964 and 9 Dec 1964 DV also named Linda Benson, Salli Sachse, Linda Merrill, Luree Holmes, Laura Nicholson, Linda Opie Bent, Dessica Giles, Chris Cranston, Judy Lesher, Patti Chandler, Mary Hughes, and Ed Garner, while the 24 Nov 1964 DV included Elsa Lanchester among the cast. Nancy Sinatra was originally signed to play singer “Sugar Kane,” but she was replaced by Linda Evans.
       Principal photography began 30 Nov 1964 in Hollywood, CA. A 13 Dec 1964 NYT article reported that beach exteriors were filmed at the Leo Carrillo State Park north of Malibu. The 18 Aug 1965 Var acknowledged the use of a helmet equipped with a 35m camera provided by Alan Gordon Enterprises, Inc., which stunt diver Bob Buquor used to film the skydiving sequences. A 31 Aug 1965 DV article referring to the rising costs of AIP’s Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine (1965, see entry) suggested that Beach Blanket Bingo was completed for approximately $350,000 on a schedule of just eighteen days.
       In addition to his onscreen cameo appearance, the 2 Dec 1964 Var indicated that Buster Keaton contributed as a “special comedy consultant.” The 10 Nov 1964 LAT listed Earl Barton as the film’s choreographer, but contemporary sources credited Jack Baker.
       According to the 22 Oct 1964 DV, producers sought to capitalize on the recent success of The Beatles and allegedly approached The Rolling Stones, Billy J. Kramer, and Gerry and the Pacemakers as prospective artists for the film’s soundtrack. However, selected songs were performed by The Hondells, an American surf rock band.
       An advertisement in the 22 Mar 1965 LAT announced that the Los Angeles premiere was set to take place 3 Apr 1965 at the Westlake Theatre. The picture opened at thirty city theaters and drive-ins on 7 Apr 1965, and the 13 Apr 1965 DV reported first-week earnings of $140,000. An East Coast engagement began at the Palace and other New York City theaters on 2 Jun 1965 as part of a double-bill with War-Gods of the Deep (see entry).
       A 23 Jun 1965 Var box-office report from Kansas City, MO, listed the release title as Bingo Beach Party.
       The 7 Apr 1965 Var review indicated that end credits contained a title card reading, “Watch for How to Stuff a Wild Bikini,” the follow-up film that was released later that summer.