"Catalina Caper"

We get a look at the Casino building, home of the Avalon Theatre on Catalina, as the boat nears the island in "Catalina Caper" (Crown International, 1967). The caper of the title involves the theft of an antique scroll from a Los Angeles museum and bringing it to the island to sell it to a wealthy collector. 

See the page about the Avalon Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site.   

The only really tolerable parts of the film are musical appearances by Little Richard ("Scuba Party"), Carol Connors ("Book of Love") and a band called The Cascades ("There's a New World"). Lee Sholem claims credit for directing, Ted V. Mikels was the cinematographer. The cast includes Tommy Kirk, Del Moore, Peter Duryea, Ulla Strömstedt and Sue Casey. 

 

Tommy Kirk and some of the ladies that are attracted to him in front of the El Encanto. The building dates from 1933 and it featured shops and strolling players plus was a venue for live theatre, puppet shows, etc. well into the 1950s. It's now a spa.  

See the page about the El Encanto Playhouse on the Los Angeles Theatres site.  

The full film is available free on YouTube. It was spoofed in Mystery Science Theatre 3000's episode 204. That's also on YouTube.

On IMDb: "Catalina Caper" 

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