THE ANNETTE FUNICELLO STORY:
A DREAM IS A WISH YOUR HEART MAKES 1995
U.S. Color TV movie. Oct-22-95. Based on Annette Funicello's book, "A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes." It's the Cinderella story of a little girl from Utica, New York who moves to southern California in the late 1940s.

After several years of music and dance lessons, Annette is spotted by Walt Disney and asked to audition for a new TV show called, the Mickey Mouse Club.

Annette becomes an original Mouseketeer, falls in love with Paul Anka and, by the mid-1960s, stars with Frankie Avalon in a string of classic Beach Party movies. Ultimately she becomes a teen icon for all eternity.

This film was made with tender loving care by producers who had a crush on Annette when they were boys. The film opens and closes with the real Annette sitting in her living room on the day that her daughter Gina is to be married. At the film's end she's surrounded by her real family.

Many of Annette's real life friends also appear in the film. Frankie Avalon, D. Clark and Shelley Fabares all played themselves in pivotal moments in the last part of the film, as Annette bravely faces her battle with MS. They all said they would have done anything for Annette.

Interesting to note: When Annette gave birth to her first child (Jack Jr.) the first person to get to see her and her new baby was not her husband or her mom. That honor went to her dear friend Mickey Mouse, who arrived with a big bouquet of balloons.

When the producers wanted to recreate this scene they had to ask the Disney Corporation for permission. Their answer? "No!" Apparently, Mickey had never appeared in any film that wasn't owned by the Disney Corporation.

As they got closer to the day of shooting the scene in the hospital, they were nowhere closer to getting the authorization. Their one last shot was to see if Annette could help. By day's end the producers received a call from Disney CEO Michael Eisner who said, "I just spoke to Annette and she wants Mickey to be in your film. We will do anything for Annette -- she's a cultural icon and a treasure at this studio."

M. I. C. K. E. Y. ...WHY? Because you will ALWAYS be loved. Rest in peace Annette.

Eva LaRue Callahan, Linda Lavin, Len Cariou, Frank Crudele, David Lipper, Don S. Davis, Justin Louis, Andrea Nemeth, Austin Basue, Annie Boyce, Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Shelley Fabares, D. Clark, Paul Anka, Virginia Funicello. The Annette Funicello Story! Bonus Selection: Annette on Hullabaloo 1965.

THE ANNETTE FUNICELLO STORY:
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