A beloved Disney icon whose burgeoning adolescence entranced a generation of Mickey Mouse Club Watchers—before she went on to become a beach blanket staple and Skippy peanut butter enthusiast—Annette Funicello died earlier this week at the age of 70. In a very full life she also managed to have a surprisingly large comic book presence. While this cover gallery speaks to Disney’s endless—and disturbing—series of chintzy movies, looking at Annette’s essential perkiness in a jaunty scarf and pristine white gloves, gives ample evidence of why she was so beloved in her day.
Despite that essential jauntiness, for her life story, Annette appears haggard, heavily retouched and perhaps in need of a good lip waxing. On the plus side: Kitty!
Farewell, Annette. May your surf ever be up!
Images courtesy of Torsten Adair.]
Rest in peace, Annette!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcKgC6hJqDg
Dig Annette’s backup band in this clip: The Beach Boys!
At least Annette never felt the need to “change her image” by making an R-rated raunchfest, like the current Disney starlets in “Spring Breakers.”
Hey, I’ve actually got that Dell Comic with “Spin and Marty and Annette.” Picked it up ages ago because I am a fan of Annette, both as a Mousketeer and her Beach Party movies. She seemed like a nice lady with a lot of class. Her passing is sad, but I’m glad she’s no longer in pain from her illness.
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