Another lighthearted offering from AIP set during the 60s, this time shifting the action from a beach to a spooky mansion. A recently deceased wealthy man (Boris Karloff) receives a visit in his crypt from a ghostly girlfriend from years ago (Susan Hart). To regain his youth as a ghost, he must perform an act of kindness and attempts to ensure that someone deserving inherits his fortune, which is hidden somewhere within his unsettling home. “The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini” (1966) marks the tenth installment in American International Pictures’ series of beach party movies—a staggering twelve films released in just under four years, from 1963 to 1967. I've only seen two others: "Beach Blanket Bingo" (1965) and "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine" (1965), which stars Vincent Price. Similar to “Beach Blanket Bingo,” this film provides a pleasant diversion if you’re looking for some harmless 60s entertainment—it's silly, with a capital 'S.' The main difference is the change in location from Malibu beaches to a creepy manor. There are still beach-like scenes, though, centered around the mansion’s large pool. Notably, this is the only film in the series that doesn’t feature Frankie Avalon or Annette Funicello. However, it does include familiar faces from previous beach movies, like Deborah Walley and Harvey Lembeck (as Eric Von Zipper) along with his Rats motorcycle gang. Bobbie Shaw Chance appears for her sixth and final time in the series, always playing a different character. While Bobbie is arguably the most beautiful woman in the cast, redhead Quinn O’Hara as Sinistra isn't far behind. Susan Hart stands out as the ghost, thanks to her amusing expressions and overall entertaining performance. I also should mention Nancy Sinatra, who contributes a couple of songs. This film shares a similar goofy 60s vibe with “Village of the Giants” (1965), which also starred Tommy Kirk. However, "Village" has more memorable moments, including a better score, a stronger female cast, and more creative dance sequences. If you’re seeking a truly authentic Southern California beach movie experience, consider the original "Gidget," released in 1959—not the sequels or the TV series starring Sally Field. “Gidget” deserves its iconic status as the first beach film, offering surprising depth and avoiding silliness. It's really true. The film’s running time is 1 hour, 22 minutes, and it was filmed in Pasadena, California. GRADE: B-/C+

Source on TMDB