Sixties Saturday: Go, Donna!

If you’ve been keeping up with the Batman TV‑show viewing challenge - watching each episode on the 60th anniversary of its original airdate - then this past week brought us the two‑parter “The Joker Goes to School / He Meets His Match, the Grisly Ghoul.”

It’s a blast, and one of its greatest charms is the appearance of Donna Loren, a true sixties icon, playing a wayward cheerleader. Even Batman himself calls her a “cute little trickster,” which feels like the most 1966 compliment imaginable!

Donna’s main gig during the decade was as the Dr Pepper Girl, serving as spokesperson for that tasty beverage, but she also carved out a lively side hustle as a singer and actress. I mainly associate her with the Beach Party movies, where she reliably popped up to deliver a song and brighten the frame.

Many fans (myself included) agree that her best number is It Only Hurts When I Cry from 1965’s Beach Blanket Bingo.

There’s no truly definitive clip online - the best‑looking ones tend to cut off before the delightful moment with the burnt hot dog - but even so, the performance shines. Donna recorded a studio version too, though most of us think the movie take has the real magic.

Not real, but should have been!

One studio cut I do love, though, is Cycle Set, from her tie‑in Beach Blanket Bingo album on Capitol. In the movie it’s performed by The Hondells, but Donna’s version has its own irresistible kick.

Let’s spin it:

It’s on my surf/hot‑rod playlist, and I always crank the volume when it comes around!

Go, Donna!