• Rating:
• Genre: Comedy
• Movie Type: Beach Film, Teen Movie
• Themes: Vacation Romances, Playing the Field, High School Life
• Director: Robert J. Rosenthal
• Main Cast: Kim Lankford, James Daughton, Sherry Marks, Stephen Oliver, Michael Luther
• Release Year: 1978
• Country: US
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• MPAA Rating: R

Plot

Day or night, it's a hot and wild summer at Malibu Beach. When the sun is high, it's Dina's (Kim Lankford) job to patrol the area. Being the hot new lifeguard on duty isn't as easy as you'd think -- there's the older, muscle-bound beach idiot Dugan (Steven J. Oliver) continually lusting after her, while jerk kids fake drowning just to get her to save them. And who can forget that pesky bikini-stealing dog?!? Thankfully, when the moon comes up, it's time to party 1978-style. With her best friend Margie (Sherry Marks) in tow, the girls prowl the local disco pub and then end up back at the beach for some booze and boys. Meanwhile, best buds Bobby (James Daughton) and Paul (Michael Luther) trace their every step, looking for the perfect make-out. Filled with amazing '70s hair, rockin' Jeeps, and a non-stop soundtrack, Malibu Beach is the vacation spot you wish you could still jump in your van and head out to. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Review

Malibu Beach has got it all -- hotrods, partying, studly hairy dudes, and foxy babes in string bikinis. It was a time when men didn't fight, they stole cop cars and raced! "Bullshirt" T-shirts were the rage and sex was on the menu for most of the bums and bimbettes on the beach. Yep, it's retro-time once again, and what better example of '70s fun in the sun than this gem? Supported by virtually a nonexistent plot, Malibu Beach works because it's a simple slice of life of '70s teen culture (which Richard Linklater would later use to a better degree with Dazed and Confused). The characters lives weren't too different before the film and probably won't be affected too much afterwards either, which actually makes for a sweet little sex flick. With eye-candy gracing every frame (the best being Claude [Roger Lawrence Pierce], who rocks safety goggles and headphones like no other), Malibu Beach is the quintessential '70s teen beach film, even if it was one of the only ones. Be on the lookout too for the bikini-stealing dog and the incredible fake shark at the end -- just like the film, they're classic! ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide

Cast

• Kim Lankford - Dina
• James Daughton - Bobby
• Sherry Marks - Margie
• Stephen Oliver - Dugan
• Michael Luther - Paul

Flora Plumb - Ms. Plickett; Roger Lawrence Pierce - Claude; Bill Adler; Parris Buckner; David Clover; Rebecca Ferratti; Walter Maslow; Alexis Schreiner; Tara Strohmeier - Glorianna; James Oliver; Bruce Kimball; Jacqueline Jacobs; Diana Herbert; Jim Kester; Tom Mahoney

Credit

Jamie Anderson - Cinematographer; Robert Barrere - Editor; Michael Lloyd - Composer (Music Score); Gerald T. Olson - First Assistant Director; Robert J. Rosenthal - Director; Robert J. Rosenthal - Screenwriter; Marilyn Jacobs Tenser - Producer; Celia Cotelo - Screenwriter; Don Sanders - Sound/Sound Designer

Similar Movies

The Beach Girls; Beach House; Beachballs; The Malibu Bikini Shop; The Pom Pom Girls; Swim Team; Teen Lust; The Van; Where the Boys Are; Dazed and Confused; Bikini Summer