. ♪ m-o-u-s-e >>> frankie avalon put out a statement today saying, quote, we have lost one of america'sethearts for generations upon generations. he was talking about annette funicello. just the mention of her name conjures a sweeter era, one of genuine innocence and what the generation before ours called good clean fun. funicello died today after a long brave struggle with m.s. she was 70 years old. tonight nbc's anne thompson has a look back. >> annette! >> reporter: as television came of age, so did annette funicello. ♪ mickey mouse >> reporter: america first fell in love with the talented teenager in 1955 on "the mickey mouse club." ♪ we're mouseketeers ♪ we want to say hello >> reporter: so popular she had her own series within the series. she transitioned to movies. first for disney. ♪ smiling eyes ♪ golden hair >> reporter: but it was on the beach where funicello stole america's heart again in the 1960s. ♪ beach blanket bingo ♪ that's the name of the game >> reporter: her wholesome image acquiring a glamorous sheen in a series of films with frankie avalon. ♪ >> reporter: in the e

with frankie avalon. the performer battled multiple sclerosis for more than 25 years. and went public with her battle against he disease in 1992. she also set up a research fund for neurological disorders. >> margaret thatcher has died.at age 87. nicknamed the 'iron lady' - for her personal and political toughness- she became britain's first and only female prime minister. she served from 1979 to 1990 as leader of the conservative party. thatcher retired from public life after a stroke in 2002 and suffered several strokes after that. according to her spokeswoman.she passed away following a stroke. >> jacqueline: we are still expecting preconditions. today. temperatures will be warmer. and wednesday. temperatures getting into the 80s. this live look outside. the bay bridge toll plaza with high clouds and it was a low pressure system. it is pressing to the east. still, 20 m.p.h. with 24 m.p.h. in fairfield. we are going to see some places in napa. with a low mid 40's for the bayshore. and as much as 10 degrees warmer than today. '70s in san jose. and for the inland valle

she moved on to the big screen in the 1960s starring alongside frankie avalon in beach movies. in 1987 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and withdrew from the spotlight. last i can't remember annette and her husband allowed a canadian tv network to show her immobilized state to campaign for a cure. she died at a bakersfield hospital. >>> no calling, no texting, no mapping. according to a new rule by a california appellate court. last year a fresno driver was pulled over for using the gps map on his smartphone, cited for distracting driving even though he wasn't making a call. he challenged the $160 ticket. today the court ruled against him stating he was in violation of the law for using the wireless phone without the hands-free option. the court determined any activity on a phone could distract a driver and raises the possibility the cell phone law could be rewritten to allow phone use in the car for reasons other than calls or texting. >>> is san jose winning or losing its war on graffiti? tomorrow the city council will get an update. in 2011 san jose began outsourcin

♪ >> reporter: she carried her wholesome image with her to those beach party movies with frankie avalon idols of the 1960s. by the 1980s she appeared as america's mom. >> switch from your peanut butter to nutritious skippy. >> reporter: later she lived with multiple sclerosis, finally losing that 25-year battle today. ♪ >> reporter: and now it's time to say goodbye to the original mouseketeer. cecilia vega, abc news, los angeles. ♪ >> pretty great singer and dancer and a lovely spirit. that's all for us tonight. thanks for watching. i'll see you tomorrow on "gma." >>> tonight a rash of knock and rob burglaries and some could be affected. >> we're live in an east bay enclave surrounded by crime. if you don't get caught by police, you might get caught on camera. >> damage cause bid howling winds throughout the bay area, there could be more still to come. >> and a san francisco exploratorium. tonight a new and unique look at advancement at what is in store. >> and you're looking at live pictures of a fire burning through a brushy hillside in southern california right now is being driven by

. >> her greatest success came in a series of beach movie was frankie avalon. the formula was the same. they'd break up, and bet back together. she was a recording star producing a dozen albums. in 1992 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. it forced her into a wheelchair. but most will remember her as a perky, singing, smiling dancing kid with ears who stole america's heart. >> abc news, los angeles. >> and take a look at this annette funicello treasure from 1981. she headlined a tribute to the beach blanket movies, she was not in a bikini, she wore a white jump suit and micky mouse ears for the big beach number. they dumped two tons of stand on the stage for the show. >> still ahead, how margaret thatcher changed the face of politic autos why president obama boarded air force 1 with some families from newtown, connecticut. >> and information about be >>> margaret thatcher saved our country. we should never forget... >> world leaders expressing praise for margaret thatcher. she died of a stroke at age 87. president obama called her a champion of freedom a

she would later go on to star in light-hearted beach movies.with frankie avalon.t public with her battle against multiple sclerosis in 1992. and set up a research fund for neurological disorders. she was 70. >> pam: president obama hit the road today--traveling to connecticut to try to make the case for national gun control legislation. he is visiting connecticut--just as congress came back to washington looking to take up the issue. surrounded by families of the sandy hook elementary school shooting victims, the president called on congress to pass tougher gun control laws. >> we have to tell congress that it is time to require a background check for anybody that wants to buy a gun. so people that are dangerous to themselves or others do not get their hands on a gun. "let's make that happen" >> pam: this is the second trip in two weeks president obama has made to talk about gun control legislation. last week, he was in colorado, site of the movie theater massacre last july. >> jacqueline: the wind has been howling. for really the past 24 hours with gusting condit

. >> trace: we had frankie avalon up there, in the picture. a dear friend. ovies with frankie valley, but that's frankie avalon, apologies for that, but they were great friends, and the original jersey boys, and annette funicello, a legacy that's still playing today in many parts of the country. >> megyn: god bless her. trace, thank you. >> trace: yeah. >> megyn: coming up, it may be the definition of adding insult to injury as pastor rick warren, beloved by so many in this country and helped by so many in this country, bizarrely finds himself under attack after his youngest son commits suicide. we'll ask a man who knew pastor warren personally why someone is treated with such disdain at a time of such deep personal loss. what does that say about some in this country? and a mystery involving a master painter deepens today. oh, this is a good case. after one woman winds up buying a renoir for $7 at a flea market, okay? kelly's court looks at who rightfully owns this work of art. now she says she's a good faith purchaser of a piece of art work that turns out wa

after losing the mouse ears, she went on to star in a series of beach party movies with franky avalon. in 1992, she went public with her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. >> there were many days that i really had to have a good cry because of the mail and the phone calls i got. sacks of mail. >> she said that support helped her deal with ms. friends say annette really was the girl next door. >>> family, friends, and filmmakers gave roger ebert a final thumbs up today at his funeral in chicago. the well known movie critic died last thursday after a long battle with cancer. ebert began reviewing movies in 1967. he wrote a syndicated column, and starred in the television show siskel and ebert, at the movies. roger roger ebert was 70 years old. >>> the latest airline rankings are out. a san francisco airport are represented heavily by the best and the worst. >> bill martin is updating his forecast. >> up fission, the makers of baby food on trial. why they're being asked to put warning labels on many popular products. >>> the bodies of two children. a 6-year-old girl, and 7-year- old boy ha

after losing the mouse ears, she went on to star in a series of beach party movies with franky avalon. in 1992, she went public with her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. >> there were many days that i really had to have a good cry because of the mail and the phone calls i got. sacks of mail. >> she said that support helped her deal with ms. friends say annette really was the girl next door. >>> family, friends, and filmmakers gave roger ebert a final thumbs up today at his funeral in chicago. the well known movie critic died last thursday after a long battle with cancer. ebert began reviewing movies in 1967. he wrote a syndicated column, and starred in the television show siskel and ebert, at the movies. roger roger ebert was 70 years old. >>> the latest airline rankings are out. a san francisco airport are represented heavily by the best and the worst. >> bill martin is >>> the bodies of two children. a 6-year-old girl, and 7-year- old boy have been pulled from a construction site in north carolina where they were buried alive. investigators say the cousins went to retrieve a tool fr

. >> the death of annette funicello, from mousketeer to teen idol, romancing frankie avalon on screenl anka for real. how she spent her final days battling m.s. >> i choose not to give up. >> our new interview with robin roberts, the moment that -- >> i will carry in my heart and my soul forever. >> now trending kim kardashian bares her baby bump. why she's having a meltdown. then, "extra" backstage with luke bryan moments after his a.c.m. upset. >> you got a standing ovation. >> taylor swift shut out. amanda lambert popping out of her dress. >> this morning, i saw her naked! >> plus, matt damon's ripped full-body transformation. all new scenes from the "liberace" movie with michael douglas. and oprah's anti-aging secrets. what's on her last nerve? >> it makes me nuts! >> hey, everyone, welcome to "extra" here at the grove. i'm mario lopez. >> and i'm maria menounos. is howard stern replacing jimmy fallon? that's the rumor. today, a.j.'s getting the official word straight from howard. >> the king of all media taking the late-night throne? this supermodel's interview on her son's rip c

graduate from mouse ears to hugely successful earl little 1960's beach party movies with co-star frankie avalon. she sang on some hit records as well. the walt disney company reports she decide of complications from multiple sclerosis a disease she battled for 25 years. anete funicello dead tonight at 70. hey america, even though she doesn't need them, cheryl burke is cha-cha-ing in depend silhouette briefs for charity, to prove that with soft fabric and waistband, the best protection looks, fits, and feels just like underwear. get a free sample and try for yourself. for over 75 years people ...with geico... ohhh...sorry!. director's voice: here we go. from the top. and action for over 75 years people have saved money with gecko so.... director's voice: cut it! ...what...what did i say? gecko? i said gecko? aw... for over 75 year...(laughs. but still trying to keep it contained) director's voice: keep it together. i'm good. i'm good. for over 75...(uncontrollable laughter). what are you doing there? stop making me laugh. vo: geico. saving people money for over seventy-five years. gecko: don't l

her under contract and that's when they started making the movies, the ones we remember with frankie avalon that -- >> she also sang too i understand. >> she did. >> she was a singer as well. >> she did. had a romance with paul anca as well and reportedly wrote pupalpup lpy love and put your head on my shoulder because of you. she reminds you of your mother. i know. just a beautiful very classic beauty. and like we said, it seems to me kind of kicked off that teen dream boat stage. all the boys had a crush on her and all the girls wanted her to be their best friend. >> she was amazing. later in life what did she end up doing? >> you know, she still kind of dabbled here and there in the industry. but once she was stricken with m.s. and diagnosed, it became kind of her fight. and, you know, she struggled with it in her later years. and now we're seeing apparently she did die from complications. but we all know and love and remember her for her singing and acting and just kind of bringing a little levity and light to those, you know, '60s movies, iconic beach movies that we love. >> yeah. we l

she and frankie avalon went back to the beach in 1987.ilm funicello felt the first symptoms of multiple sclerosis. in 2012 her second husband glenn holt gave canada ctv a rare look into her struggle with ms. by this time the disease had taken a terrible toll. but she has always spoken openly about her illness. >> i don't like it but you learn to live with it. i've learned to live with it. and i think attitude is so important. you have to keep the smile. ♪ >> funicello's smile and the youthful innocence she represented remained vivid in the minds of those who loved her including her long time friend and screen partner frankie avalon who issued this statement. we have lost one of america's sweethearts for generations upon generations. she will lives on forever. i will miss her and the world will miss her. ♪ this time it's love >>> she crossed so many generations, didn't she? >> launched so many careers. >> we'll be right back after luxury cal news. and "sweet, something just for me." because walgreens balance rewards is more than a savings

later, she teamed with frankie avalon in a series of "beach" movies in the early '60s. annette funicello was 70 years d. those are some of the day's major stories. now, back to gwen. >> ifill: we return to margaret thatcher and look back to our program's archive. when she sat down with the newshour's founders, robert macneil and jim lehrer, they got a taste of the steely resolve of the "iron lady" when they attempted to ask her repeatedly about the news of that day which happened to be el salvador. here are excerpts from the 1981 interview. >> good evening from washington. british prime minister margaret thatcher finished two days of talks today with president reagan and u.s. officials. impressed, she said, with the striking similarity between our aims and policies. mrs. thatcher is the first major allied leader to visit the new president. earlier this afternoon, jim leer and i discussed some of these issues with mrs. thatcher at blair house. >> a short while ago it was announced that you are delaying your departure from washington in the morning to have a special unsch

starring opposite frankie avalon in films such as beach party and beach blanket bingo. ♪ beach blankety for many years, annette shocked her fans in 1992 by revealing that she had been stricken with multiple sclerosis. >> there's a reason for this. and i know it's to help others. perhaps you can't change the world... >> osgood: she became an advocate for m.s. research but her worsening condition kept her out of the public eye in recent years. annette funicello was 70. >> do you have anything unusual to report, lieutenant. >> reporter: jonathan winters died on thursday night of undisclosed causes, a genius of comedy, he made no bones about the source of his gift. >> you've got to admit that i am strange. you know something? i'm so proud of it. i'm so glad i'm weird. i'm so happy to be crazy. my name is... >> osgood: the only child of an abusive alcoholic father he grew up to create a galaxy of imaginary characters including one based on one of his aunts. >> what do you want to do? i don't know. what's your pleasure. if i told you that, we'd be off the air. >> reporter: winters' multiple

. ♪ beach party tochts >> reporter: she was alongside frankie avalon in a string of beach films but lefto focus on her family and was then diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987. >> lots of times the paralysis is temporary or the eyesight will come back. so you can never give up hope. >> reporter: on monday avalon released a statement saying "she will live on forever. i will miss her and the world will miss her." annette funicello will be remembered for capturing the hearts and imaginations of viewers young and old. >> real soon ♪ ♪ k-e-y >> why, because we like you. ♪ m-o-u-s-e >> what a loss. funicello is actually the last of 24 mouseketeers hired in 1955 for "the mickey mouse club" after walt disney spotted her dancing in a recital version of "swan lake." >> look at this tribute. >> channeling annette. >> you'll have to take them off soon. >> probably the most famous. >> i think so. >> oh, yes. >> discovered by the big guy himself. >> pretty good. >>> all right. we showed you the big storm but then we haven't talked about this. suddenly summer in the east. remember when you couldn'

. >> reporter: her greatest success came in a series of beach movies with frankie avalon. >> women haveormula was always the same. frankie and annette would always break up, but eventually get back together. ♪ beach party tonight >> reporter: she also was a recording star producing more than a dozen albums. ♪ the pineapple princess he calls me pineapple princess all day ♪ >> reporter: in 1992, tragedy intruded on her fairytale existence. shes diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. it eventually forced her into a wheelchair ♪ now it's time to say good-bye ♪ >> reporter: most fans will remember annette funicello as the perky, smiling, singing dancing kid with ears, the mouseketeer who stole america's heart. ♪ see you real soon ♪ m-o-u-s-e >> reporter: brandi hitt, abc news, los angeles. >> wow. >> she was so beautiful. >> the camera loved her. she stole the scene. whenever there was a bunch of people on, you looked right at annette. there was something about her. >> exactly. she called walt disney a second father. this wasn't just a show. >> no doubt. >> she was really a part of the disney fa

annette funicello dying at the age of 70 became a mouseketeer at the age of 12 and starred alongside franky avalonovies in the 1960s. >> would never wear aic about even in i in the beach party movies because walt disney said please maintain the image of the mouseketeers. don't wear a bikini so she wouldn't wear one even in her post-mouseketeer years. won't see her in playboy right? i want to talk about this latest flap which i think is ridiculous. get your take on it, too. the latest flap meaning beyoncÉ and jay-z went to cuba. oh, my god. you are might think they committed adultery on the steps of the united states capitol. of course, that's been done before. >> of course it has. >> bill: rita genrette, google it. they were celebrating their fifth wedding anniversary. they wanted to do something special. i don't know. i don't care how they got there. travel to cuba, of course, is limited. we've had this stupid embargo against cuba ever since the days of -- you know who put it in place? john f. kennedy president john f. kennedy back in 1962. we had an embargo against cuba ever since. there are two