Movie Classics: Beach Blanket Bingo
In the 1960s movie theaters across America played host to a series of teenage hijinks movies known as the Beach Party series, Directed by William Asher, the movies starred former Mouskateer Anette Funicello alongside crooner Frankie Avalon, as well as a rotating cast of characters. The movies were light-hearted and fun. Beach Blanket Bingo, the fifth installment in the series, was generally well-received and still holds up to this day. This is also one of the last films comedic legend Buster Keaton acted in.
Dell released a film adaptation comic book of the same name to coincide with the movie's release. Very little was changed from the film for the comic. This file copy from Dell is a blue label CGC 9.6 with white pages. The colors practically jump off the cover. The last time a similar comic sold was in May of 2010 for $263. If you like cheesecake Americana, you may be able to get this at a great price.
Dell Giant #32
Dell Giant #32, also known as Bugs Bunny's Beach Party, pre-dates the aforementioned Beach Party movies by 3 years. This whimsical cover features a number of popular Warner Brothers characters enjoying a relaxing day on the beach. Many of the stories inside deal with the beach or water and are designed for younger readers. This painted cover by Tony Strobl is the real star of the show here. Painted covers have a lot of character in them, and add a unique depth to an otherwise fun cover.
This Dell file copy is a blue label CGC 9.8 with white pages -- an impressive grade for a 60+-year-old comic. Not a lot of sales data exists for this book. In October of 2013, a blue label CGC 9.6 sold for $125, so this book has the potential to go for much more. If you're looking to watch certain books in this auction, this may be the one.
The Green Hornet #1
Gold Key's The Green Hornet was based on the 1966 television series, which in turn was based on a radio show from the 1930s. The titular hero and his sidekick Kato would take down everyday bad guys with their wits and fists. The 1966 series was in the same vein as Batman starring Adam West but only lasted one season. The shoe had an impact on American audiences tho, as it introduced Bruce Lee (as Kato) to Western audiences. Much like the show, the Gold Key adaptation was also short lives -- it only lasted three issues.
This blue label CGC 9.4 has white pages and a brilliant photo cover with stars Bruce Lee and Van Williams. While this comic isn't a perfect 9.8, it's still a high grade and presents very well. Currently, the one-year average for blue-label CGC 9.4s is $2,400. I believe this book will go for higher, so keep your eyes on this copy.
