the film that beckoned a generation to the beach
Released by Columbia Pictures on April 10, 1959
Directed By Paul Wendkos
Cast: Sandra Dee, James Darren, Cliff Robertson, Arthur O’Connell, and Mary LaRoche
Musical guest: The Four Preps
This is the big one—the film that started it all—the nearly true-to-life fairy tale about a girl, a board, a beach, and a boy that drew a whole generation of baby boomers to the beach in 1959.
In giving teenager Kathy Kohner’s diary the full Hollywood treatment, Columbia Pictures presented a super-sweet, coming-of-age story (seen form the girl’s perspective) that paints a pretty accurate picture of middle-class, American mores at the mid-century mark.
And even though it’s been over sixty years since this seminal film made its theatrical debut, the charm factor (which is very closely related to the nostalgia factor) still remains pegged at ten. So enjoyable a confection is this, that even the awkward, rear-projection, surf scenes can’t dampen its appeal.
Featured Califormulants
The, well photographed, beach action is played out at the Leo Carrillo State Park, a favorite Hollywood filming location since the days of hand-cranked cameras. The surfing longshots feature legendary surfers Miki (da Cat) Dora doubling for James Darren, and Mickey (the Mongoose) Munoz, (wearing a ridiculous wig & oversized tanksuit) doubling for Sandra Dee.
Persons of Interest
Three of the supporting players would go on to greater Hollywood glory: Doug McClure (Trampas in The Virginian TV series), Tom Laughlin (creater and star of the Billy Jack film series), and Yvonne Craig (Batgirl in the Batman TV series).
Bonus Tracks
Here is that very colorful and tuneful opening title sequence. And the original theatrical trailer.
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