The Hustler of Muscle Beach

• Director: Jonathan Kaplan
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Comedy
• Release Year: 1980
• Country: US
• Run Time: 97 minutes

Plot

The hustler in Hustler of Muscle Beach is fast-talking New York promoter Nick Demec (Richard Hatch). Hoping to cash in on the bodybuilding craze, Demec stages a muscleman -- and musclewoman -- contest in Venice, CA (where the film was shot). The hero's get-rich-quick scheme gets him into hot water when he selects a most unusual candidate for his protégé. Several real-life male bodybuilders appear onscreen, including Franco Columbu and Frank Zane, but the film's ad campaign focused on the bikini-clad female contestants. Hustler of Muscle Beach was first broadcast May 16, 1980, on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Jack Carter; Franco Columbu; Veronica Hamel; Richard Hatch; Kay Lenz; Kenneth McMillan; Joe Santos; Bobby Van; Tim Kimber

Credit

Archie J. Bacon - Art Director, Jonathan Kaplan - Director, Leon Carrere - Editor, LaReine Johnston - Editor, Barry Oringer - Executive Producer, John Furia, Jr. - Executive Producer, Earle Hagen - Composer (Music Score), Charles G. Arnold - Cinematographer, Robert J. Koster - Production Manager, Neil T. Maffeo - Producer, David Smilow - Screenwriter, Tim Maschler - Screenwriter