For Those Who Think Young (film)

Rich kid and party animal Gardner Pruitt III (James Darren), known as "Ding" to his friends, is on the prowl for a new conquest in the form of teenager Sandy Palmer (Pamela Tiffin). In the meantime, Ding's influential grandfather, B.S. Cronin (Robert Middleton) wants to curtail the romance and shut down a popular local college teen hangout. Sandy's guardians Sid Hoyt (Paul Lynde) and Woody Woodbury (playing himself) get mixed up in the proceedings, with Woody becoming the college kid's hero at the hangout. That sends up a red flag to the college administration, which sends in Dr. Pauline Swenson to investigate allegations of underage drinking. When the clever kids discover that ex-gangster Grandpa Cronin used to be a bootlegger, they blackmail him into keeping the club open. ==Cast==

• James Darren ... Gardner 'Ding' Pruitt III • Pamela Tiffin ... Sandy Palmer • Paul Lynde ... Uncle Sid Hoyt • Tina Louise ... Topaz McQueen • Bob Denver ... Kelp • Nancy Sinatra ... Karen Cross • Robert Middleton ... Burford B. Sanford 'Nifty' Cronin • Claudia Martin ... Sue Lewis • Ellen Burstyn ... Dr. Pauline Swenson (billed as Ellen McRae) • Woody Woodbury ... Uncle Woody Woodbury • Louis Quinn ... Gus Kestler • Sammee Tong ... Clyde • Jimmy Griffin ... Singer • George Raft ... Detective Lieutenant • Roger Smith ... Smitty the Detective • Addison Richards ... Dean Watkins • Paul 'Mousie' Garner ... Mousie • Benny Baker ... Lou • Anna Lee ... Laura Pruitt • Jack La Rue ... Cronin's Business Associate • Allen Jenkins ... Col. Leslie Jenkins • Robert Armstrong ... Norman Armstrong ==Production==

The film began as a script called ''A Young Man's Fancy''. The rights were bought by Frank Sinatra's Essex Productions. The title was changed in order to secure funding participation from Pepsi Cola, who changed their slogan from "Be Sociable" (which had been used since 1958) to "Now It's Pepsi For Those Who Think Young". Besides Pepsi, the film featured extensive product placement for Jax Clothing, Baskin-Robbins, Peter Pan swimwear, Buick and Honda. Sam Arkoff of AIP later called the use of the title "the most ridiculous, hidebound, stupid concept I can think of. To put a middle aged slogan on a youth picture. What kid would go to see a film called For Those Who Think Young?" The film marked the screen debut of Nancy Sinatra, Susan Hart, Lada Edmund Jr., and Dean Martin's daughter Claudia. and Ann-Margret were considered to star. Jeanne Crain was signed for the role of Pauline but eventually dropped out of the project. Filming began August 14, 1963 at Paramount Studios. The film was shot in just 18 days. Some scenes were shot at the Occidental College in Los Angeles. ==Music==

Jerry Fielding, later famous for his television themes, composed the score for the film. Mack David and Jerry Livingston wrote "For Those Who Think Love", sung by James Darren over the opening credits. Bob Denver sings "Ho Daddy, Surf's Up" and "Ho Daddy, Surf's Up (Reprise)." Jimmy Griffin (later founder member of the 1970s band Bread), performs the song "I'm Gonna Walk All Over This Land", accompanied by Paul Johnson (of The Bel-Airs), Glen Grey and Richard Delvy (both of The Challengers). ==Reception==

The film was released in June 1964 and was a box office hit, grossing about $1.6 million, and ranking among the few Essex Company productions to turn a profit. ==References==