Editing Annette Funicello (section)

==Career==

===''The Mickey Mouse Club''===
[[File:The Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers Annette Funicello 1956.jpg|thumb|right|Funicello as a Mouseketeer on ''[[The Mickey Mouse Club]]'' (1956)]]
Funicello took dancing and music lessons when she was a child in order to overcome her shyness. In 1955, the 12-year-old was discovered by [[Walt Disney]] when she performed as the Swan Queen in ''[[Swan Lake]]'' at a dance recital at the [[Starlight Bowl (Burbank, California)|Starlight Bowl]] in [[Burbank, California]]. Disney cast her as one of the original Mouseketeers. She was the last to be selected, and one of the few cast members to be personally selected by Walt Disney himself.{{Citation needed |date=July 2024}} 

In 1955, she signed a seven-year contract with Disney at $160 a week that would rise to $500 a week if all options were exercised.<ref name="contract">{{cite news|title=Annette Funicello Fails to Set Aside Contract: Young Singer Wanted Court to Act on 1955 Pact Made With Disney Productions|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 18, 1959|page=B14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Article 2 -- No Title|work=Los Angeles Times|date=November 10, 1955|page=A1}}</ref>

Funicello proved to be very popular and by the end of the first season of ''The Mickey Mouse Club'', she was receiving 6,000 letters a month, more than any other Mouseketeer.<ref name="letter">{{cite news|title=Annette Funicello shares life cheerfully Profile: The former Mousketeer thrives on the most demanding role of her life: herself|last=Griffith|first=Mary Jo|work=The Orange County Register|date=June 21, 1994|page=F04}}</ref> She dated fellow Mouseketeer [[Lonnie Burr]].<ref name="oregonlive/funicellos_first_kiss">{{cite news |date=9 April 2013 |title=Annette Funicello's first kiss: Former Mousketeer Lonnie Burr of Beaverton praises the late star |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/movies/2013/04/annette_funicellos_first_kiss.html |access-date=15 June 2023 |work=The Oregonian |language=en}}</ref><ref name="silive/goofy_about_disney/60">{{cite news |last1=Schmidt |first1=Chuck |date=30 October 2015 |title=Mouseketeer Annette Funicello offered dating advice in a 1964 teen magazine |url=https://www.silive.com/goofy_about_disney/2015/10/post_60.html |access-date=15 June 2023 |work=Staten Island Advance |language=en}}</ref> Saying goodbye to cast members in the 1958 show finale, Funicello said "I never cried so hard in my life".<ref name="Family" />

In addition to appearing in many Mouseketeer sketches and dance routines, Funicello starred in several serials on ''The Mickey Mouse Club''. These included ''[[Adventure in Dairyland]]'', the second and third ''[[Spin and Marty]]'' serials – ''The Further Adventures of Spin and Marty'' (1956) and ''The New Adventures of Spin and Marty'' (1957) –  and ''[[Walt Disney Presents: Annette]]'' (1958) (which co-starred [[Richard Deacon (actor)|Richard Deacon]]).{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

===Singing career===
In several scenes in the ''Annette'' serial, she performed the song that launched her singing career. The studio received so much mail about "How Will I Know My Love" (lyrics by [[Tom Adair]], music by Frances Jeffords and William Walsh),<ref>{{cite book
  | title = Disney Fake Book
  | publisher = Hal Leonard Corporation
  | year = 1996
  | location = New York
  | page = 74
  | isbn = 0-7935-4521-8 }}</ref> that Walt Disney issued it as a single, and gave Funicello (somewhat unwillingly{{Citation needed|date=January 2025|reason=wording is provocative}}) a recording contract.<ref name="interview">{{cite web
  | title = Oct 22nd Happy 65th Birthday Annette
  | work = You Remember That.com
  | url = http://www.yourememberthat.com/media/1780/Oct_22nd_____Happy__65th_Birthday__Annette/
  | format = video interview
  | access-date = December 22, 2007 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071224112948/http://www.yourememberthat.com/media/1780/Oct_22nd_____Happy__65th_Birthday__Annette/| archive-date= December 24, 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref>

A proposed live-action feature, ''[[The Rainbow Road to Oz]]'', was to have starred some of the Mouseketeers, including [[Darlene Gillespie]] as Dorothy and Funicello as Ozma. Preview segments from the film aired on September 11, 1957, on ''[[Disneyland (TV series)|Disneyland]]''{{'}}s fourth anniversary show.<ref>{{YouTube|kJjhqBb3qGI|''Disneyland'' segment}} (August 4, 2007). Retrieved on April 20, 2013.</ref> By then, MGM's ''[[The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)|The Wizard of Oz]]'' had been shown on [[CBS Television]] for the first time. Theories on why the film was abandoned include Disney's failure to develop a satisfactory script and the positive reception of the MGM film's television screening. Disney ultimately replaced this film project with a new adaptation of ''[[Babes in Toyland (1961 film)|Babes in Toyland]]'' (1961), which starred Funicello as Mary Contrary.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

===Post-''Mickey Mouse Club''===
[[File:Annette Funicello 1959.JPG|thumb|right|Funicello and Richard Tyler on ''The Danny Thomas Show'' (1959)]]
After the ''Mickey Mouse Club'', Funicello remained under contract with Disney for a time. She had a role on the Disney television series ''[[Zorro (1957 TV series)|Zorro]]'', playing Anita Cabrillo in a three-episode storyline about a teen-aged girl arriving in Los Angeles to visit a father who does not seem to exist to the citizens there. This role was reportedly a 16th birthday present from Walt Disney, and it was the first of two different characters she played opposite [[Guy Williams (actor)|Guy Williams]] as Zorro, whom Funicello had developed a crush on.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Annette Is Getting Older...: Hollywood|author=Korman, Seymour|date=February 7, 1959|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|page=c3}}</ref><ref name=Family/> She had a multiple-episode guest arc on ''[[The Danny Thomas Show]]'' as an Italian exchange student.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ex-Mouseketeer Wins Thomas Role|date=December 14, 1958|work=Los Angeles Times|page=G6}}</ref>

Funicello made her feature film debut in the Disney-produced comedy ''[[The Shaggy Dog (1959 film)|The Shaggy Dog]]'' (1959) with [[Fred MacMurray]] and [[Tommy Kirk]]. The film was a success at the box-office.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Mayor, Out West, Sees Film Studio: Visits Fox Lot, Meets Stars and Governor Knight -- Blaustein Script Added|last=Pryor|first=Thomas M.|date=July 30, 1958|work=The New York Times|page=18}}</ref>

Although uncomfortable being thought of as a singer, Funicello had a number of pop record hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s, mostly written by the [[Sherman Brothers]] and including: "[[Tall Paul (song)|Tall Paul]]", "First Name Initial", "[[O Dio Mio]]", "Train of Love" (written by [[Paul Anka]]) and "[[Pineapple Princess]]". They were released by Disney's [[Disney Music Group|Buena Vista]] label. She also recorded "It's Really Love" in 1959, a reworking of an earlier Paul Anka song called "Toot Sweet" (which was later reworked again into ''Johnny's Theme'' for ''[[The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson]]'').{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

In an episode of the [[Disney anthology television series]] titled "[[Disneyland After Dark]]", Funicello can be seen singing live at [[Disneyland]]. Walt Disney was reportedly a fan of 1950s pop star [[Teresa Brewer]] and tried to pattern Funicello's singing on the same style. However, Funicello credits "the Annette sound" to her record producer, [[Tutti Camarata]], who worked for Disney in that era. Camarata had her [[Double tracking|double-track]] her vocals, matching her first track as closely as possible on the second recording to achieve a fuller sound than her voice would otherwise produce.{{citation needed|date=January 2012}}  Early in her career, she appeared on the [[NBC]] interview program ''[[Here's Hollywood]]''.<ref name="interview"/>

In December 1959, Funicello attempted to have her contract with Disney set aside, claiming that it was unequitable and that she was without an agent or legal counsel when she signed it. She was receiving $325 a week (About $3,000 in 2020 dollars). The court refused.<ref name="court">{{cite news|first=Fred|last=Stanley|title=Hollywood Mulls Court Decisions|work=The New York Times|date=March 26, 1944|page=1|id={{ProQuest|106872448}}}}</ref>

===Return to Disney===
In 1961, Funicello returned to ''Zorro'' playing a different role. She starred in a big budget musical for Disney, ''[[Babes in Toyland (1961 film)|Babes in Toyland]]'' (1961), alongside [[Tommy Sands (American singer)|Tommy Sands]] and Kirk.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Annette Funicello to Star in Disney Film|author=Hopper, Hedda|date=January 26, 1961|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|page=a9}}</ref>  She also appeared in two television movies filmed in Europe for Disney alongside Kirk, both of which were released theatrically in some markets: ''[[The Horsemasters]]'' (1961), shot in England, and ''[[Escapade in Florence]]'' (1962), filmed in Italy.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Walt Disney Will Film Romantic Teen Comedy|author=Hopper, Hedda|date=August 20, 1960|work=Chicago Daily Tribune|page=n17}}</ref> It has been pointed out that although Disney had Funicello under contract a long time "he never seemed to have much faith in her abilities to carry a film (she usually supported the boy)."<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Filmink|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/movie-star-cold-streaks-hayley-mills/|title=Movie Star Cold Streaks: Hayley Mills|first= Stephen|last= Vagg|date=March 19, 2022}}</ref>

===Beach party series===
[[File:Beach Party Annette Funicello Frankie Avalon Mid-1960s.jpg|thumb|left|Funicello and [[Frankie Avalon]] at the height of the ''Beach Party'' era]]
Funicello moved on from Disney to become a "[[teen idol]]", starring in a series of "[[Beach party film|Beach Party]]" movies with [[Frankie Avalon]] for [[American International Pictures]]. These started with ''[[Beach Party]]'' (1963) when Funicello was 21 years old. The movie was so successful [[American International Pictures]] signed Funicello to a seven-year contract and starred her in a series of beach party movies.<ref>Gary A Smith, ''American International Pictures: The Golden Years'', Bear Manor 2013 p 211</ref>

Funicello guest-starred on episodes of ''[[Wagon Train]]'', ''[[Burke's Law (1963 TV series)|Burke's Law]]'' and ''[[The Greatest Show on Earth (TV series)|The Greatest Show on Earth]]''; she then starred in another two-part Disney telemovie with Kirk, ''[[The Misadventures of Merlin Jones]]'' (1964). This was released to cinemas in the US and became a surprise box office hit.  The follow ups to ''Beach Party'', ''[[Muscle Beach Party]]'' (1964) and ''[[Bikini Beach]]'' (1964)<ref name="beach">{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|date=4 December 2024|magazine=Filmink|title=Beach Party: An Appreciation|url=https://www.filmink.com.au/beach-party-an-appreciation/|access-date=11 December 2024}}</ref> were also popular. 
[[File:Annette's Beach Party - Billboard ad 1963.png|thumb|''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' advertisement for ''Annette's Beach Party'', July 20, 1963]]

When she was cast in her first beach movie, Walt Disney requested that she wear only modest bathing suits and keep her [[navel]] covered. However, she wore a pink two-piece in ''Beach Party'', a white two-piece fishnet suit in the second film (''Muscle Beach Party''), and a blue and white bikini in the third (''Bikini Beach''). All three swimsuits bared her navel, particularly in ''Bikini Beach'', where it is visible extensively during close up shots in a sequence early in the film when she meets Frankie Avalon's "Potato Bug" character outside his tent.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Myth of the Hidden Navel|url=http://www.beachpartymoviemusic.com/TheMythoftheHiddenNavel.html|access-date=February 20, 2012|publisher=Beachpartymoviemusic.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103012357/http://www.beachpartymoviemusic.com/themythofthehiddennavel.html|archive-date=January 3, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Funicello made ''[[Pajama Party (film)|Pajama Party]]'' (1964) for AIP with Kirk, not Avalon, though it was an unofficial Beach Party movie, and Avalon made a cameo. Avalon was back as Funicello's co-star in ''[[Beach Blanket Bingo]]'' (1965); she and Kirk then did a sequel to ''Merlin Jones'', ''[[The Monkey's Uncle]]'' (1965). ''The Monkey's Uncle'' featured Annette singing with [[The Beach Boys]] and was another huge hit.<ref name="Cotter">{{cite book
  | last = Cotter
  | first = Bill
  | title = The Wonderful World of Disney Television
  | publisher = [[Hachette Books#Hyperion Books|Hyperion Books]]
  | year = 1997
  | location = New York
  | isbn = 0-7868-6359-5 }}</ref>

Funicello made a cameo in two AIP comedies starring Avalon, ''[[Ski Party]]'' (1965) and ''[[Dr Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine]]'' (1965).  Following these, she filmed ''[[How to Stuff a Wild Bikini]]'' (1965) with [[Dwayne Hickman]]. Box office receipts for the series were in decline, and neither Avalon nor Funicello appeared in the final installment, ''[[The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini]]'' (1966).

===Stock-car racing films===
AIP tried a new formula with stock car racing films, starting with ''[[Fireball 500]]'' (1966) which starred Funicello, Avalon and [[Fabian Forte]]. The movie was popular enough for them to try another stock car movie, ''[[Thunder Alley (1967 film)|Thunder Alley]]'' (1967) with Funicello and Fabian. It would be her last lead in a feature film for two decades.

Funicello guest starred on ''[[Hondo (TV series)|Hondo]]'' and had a short role in ''[[Head (film)|Head]]'' (1968), opposite [[The Monkees]].

===1970s and 1980s===
During the 1970s, Funicello focused on raising her family. However she still occasionally acted, making guest appearances on shows like ''[[Love, American Style]]'', ''Easy Does It... Starring Frankie Avalon'', ''[[Fantasy Island]]'' and ''[[The Love Boat]]''.

In 1979, Funicello began starring in a series of television commercials for [[Skippy peanut butter]].<ref>{{cite web
 |title=History of Skippy 
 |publisher=Unilever 
 |year=2012 
 |url=http://www.peanutbutter.com/article/detail/115166/skippy-peanut-butter-history 
 |access-date=April 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120518112003/http://www.peanutbutter.com/article/detail/115166/skippy-peanut-butter-history 
 |archive-date=May 18, 2012 |url-status=dead 
  
}}</ref> Her role as spokesperson for the brand forced Funicello to turn down a role in ''[[Grease 2]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Movies: 'Hey, What Floor Am I On?!' A Frenetic Day in Chicago for a Producer Born Too Late|last=Popson|first=Tom|work=Chicago Tribune|date=June 20, 1982|page=f20}}</ref> In November 1985, she starred in the 16th episode of the Disney Channel documentary series ''[[Disney Family Album]]'' in an episode about her career.<ref name=Family>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch/bsa5jNSu-Zk|title=Disney Family Album #16-Annette Funicello|website=YouTube|date=October 21, 2013|access-date=April 22, 2020}}</ref>

She starred in a TV movie for Disney, ''[[Lots of Luck]]'' (1985), and was reunited with Avalon in ''[[Back to the Beach]]'' (1987). The two also performed together live.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello at Golden Nugget|date=January 13, 1991|work=Los Angeles Times|page=F79}}</ref>

===Later career===
Funicello's autobiography, ''A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: My Story'', was dictated to Patricia Romanowski and [[1994 in literature|published in 1994]]. The title was taken from a [[A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes|song]] from the Disney movie ''[[Cinderella (1950 film)|Cinderella]]''. A television film based on the book, ''A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story'', appeared in 1995. In the final scene, the actress portraying Funicello ([[Eva LaRue]]), using a wheelchair, turns away from the camera and when turning back, Funicello herself appears to deliver a message to a group of children.

During this period, Funicello produced a line of teddy bears for the Annette Funicello Collectible Bear Company.<ref name=Biographycom/> The last collection in the series was made in 2004. She also had her own fragrance called "Cello, by Annette".{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}

"Now that I've gone public with my illness, they can't do enough," she said in 1994. "They even send me home remedies to try. Everyone says, 'God bless you and I'm praying for you.{{'"}} <ref name="letter"/>

Funicello made her final public appearance on September 13, 1998 at California's Multiple Sclerosis Society with Frankie Avalon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4tFpFH0nOA| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/o4tFpFH0nOA| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Annette Funicello final public appearance Entertainment Tonight| date=November 23, 2014|access-date=August 13, 2021|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>