Interesteg What makes it different from others?

Inadvands Boring, over-political, tech fuzed mess

2freensel I saw this movie before reading any reviews, and I thought it was very funny. I was very surprised to see the overwhelmingly negative reviews this film received from critics.

Gary The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

dougdoepke The movie's a big candy box valentine to its time period. But, since there's a lot of boy-girl clinching going on, the box comes with a dramatic warning at the end, a kind of moral reckoning also indicative of the era. As I recall, the movie was a big hit with young fans. And why not, since the popular Gidget series made a whole franchise out of sun and surf. Now I was prepared to really dislike a movie about unthinking hedonism. Just the thought of George Hamilton in a swimsuit makes my hair go greasy. Still, it's a winning cast of young folks, and better than expected. Even Hamilton is not too obnoxious. There's the steady-hand Dolores Hart; the poignant Paula Prentiss; the introverted Yvette Mimieux; and a sparkling Connie Frances. On the male side is a flaky Jim Hutton; a cultured Hamilton; and a goofy Frank Gorshin. Mix 'em together and there's a lot of good natured entertainment. The Technicolor also shines, as it should, since that's a big part of these sunny beach epics. And catch how the screenplay uses awkward innuendo to soften the abundant hormonal drive. After all, these youngsters are not gathering to play Parcheesi. Still, I see a cloud on the distant horizon. It's gathering in southeast Asia and will soon replace these youthful idylls with an Easy Rider (1969) or a Medium Cool (1969). Nonetheless, the movie's a generally frolicking good time, George Hamilton or no.

DKosty123 I kind of put this film in the middle of old age. The cast is priceless now as I fell in love with Paula Prentiss long ago even though in this film she is presented in her comedienne persona. I think she could have been better utilized but Hollywood was uncomfortable with tall actress's when this one was made. The late Jim Hutton plays the same person he always plays in films. Like seeing excellent character actors like Chill Wills in any film. Connie Francis sold most of her records based on her fame in this film.Actually by 1960, the sexual values represented in this film were 1950's values. In fact, what this film was trying to do was take an attractive cast to try & keep women in their traditional role here of looking for a man as the only way to be happy. Considering that divorce rates were already climbing by 1960 creating many single parent house holds, it was going to take Hollywood several more years before they would even get to this stark reality.There is some priceless comedy in this film as Frank Gorshin who is a stand up comedian & then the Riddler on Batman, is at his rubber faced best here. People now forget Gorshin was a top impressionist during this era. Some of his talent shows here. This Technicolor film is fine for the scenery & cast but put your brain away as the plot is very light weight.

txwildswan I would watch this when I was a child and dream of meeting a wonderful guy like George Hamilton's character. And I agree with a previous comment about the late Frank Gorshin's Basil character-he was hilarious-the fish tank sequence is a classic!! I laugh every time I see it. The entire movie is a great slice of nostalgia. My how this world has changed. My father loved Connie Francis so I grew up on all of her songs. The TV remake should never have been made. This is a classic film and still stands today. Too bad Delores Hart became a nun, she was a good actress-hope she is at peace. I try to catch this whenever it is shown on TV. Loved the great Jim Hutton too.

Ed Uyeshima Forty-five years have elapsed since its original release, but it is amazing how this 1960 film introduced a particular genre that continues to be produced today granted in a far more explicit manner - the spring-break, beach-party movie where attractive teens go through a sun-drenched mating ritual and somehow love triumphs over carnal knowledge. Back then, the concept didn't seem quite as jaded as it does now, and consequently there is an entertaining naiveté about the timeworn story of four co-eds from a snowy Midwestern college who journey to Ft. Lauderdale for spring break to meet boys.The plot is based on the then-accepted notion that girls in college are only marking time waiting for husbands to come along, but the journey to that goal depends on the girl. The four in question are Merritt, a smart blonde who is not living up to her academic potential as she questions the moral code around premarital sex; Melanie, so deeply insecure she mistakes sex for love with a less-than-honorable Ivy Leaguer; Tuggle, a tall brunette who zeroes in on an even taller, eccentric hitchhiker; and Angie, the supposedly plain one who gets used to being ignored by men.Directed in a perfunctory fashion by Henry Levin, this is not the type of movie where you are terribly impressed with the performances, but I have to say the acting is certainly miles above subsequent beach-party movies. Elvis' former leading lady Dolores Hart plays Merritt credibly even as she is being seduced by a youthful George Hamilton wanly playing Ryder, a well-to-do Ivy Leaguer with a conveniently located yacht. As the most troubled of the girls, Yvette Mimieux (always loved her name) accurately captures the constantly forlorn, little-girl-lost state of Melanie, a teen-aged Blanche du Bois in the making.So pert and charming as Angie, Connie Francis actually seems miscast as a plain-Jane, especially when she sings "Turn on the Sunshine" with a stage polish completely out of character. The standout is Paula Prentiss who portrays Tuggle with her unique personality in full bloom and partnered the first of several times with Jim Hutton as the comically obnoxious TV. She is an under-appreciated comedienne with a loopy charm and vibrantly twangy voice all her own - it's a shame her career never really took off the way it deserved to.I think the film does make a valid, sometimes even perceptive attempt to address the confusion that Eisenhower-era girls had over sex and love. Girls were expected to function under a double-standard where the only way to attract boys was to have something to offer but at the price of their reputations. This point is hammered home when the tone shifts in the last portion to melodrama. At the same time, the film is filled with predictable comic scenes, including a contrived mêlée in an underwater tank with the zaftig and nasal Barbara Nichols as Esther Williams-wannabe Lola Fandango.Prentiss offers her services and remembrances to the alternate audio commentary track on the DVD, which also comes with a looking-back featurette which includes interviews with Prentiss and Francis. Who knew this film would launch a hundred imitations? The minute you hear Francis sing the title tune, it is hard for a baby boomer not to get nostalgic. If you have an interest in understanding the mid-century moral code enforced upon the youth of America, especially girls, I can think of worse films to see.