Although "the Big Kahuna" (Frankie Avalon) and "Annette" (Annette Funicello) were the king and queen of the California beach scene twenty years earlier, the two of them now live ordinary lives in Ohio with their rebellious adolescent son named "Bobby" (Demien Slade) giving them more drama than the two can handle. So in great need of a vacation they book a flight to Hawaii with a brief scheduled layover in California in order to visit their daughter "Sandi" (Lori Laughlin). What they don't know is that Sandi isn't quite as innocent as they believe and has been living in an apartment on the beach with a surfer named "Michael" (Tommy Hinkley). Needless to say, Sandi is terrified to learn of their unexpected visit and upon their arrival she proceeds to throw all of Michael's clothes out the nearest window--with him jumping out that same window only minutes later. If that isn't bad enough, not long afterward the Big Kahuna and Annette have a fight which results in their splitting up and going their separate ways. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that I found this film to be a hilarious spoof of the old beach movies produced in the early 60's. I especially liked the performances of John Calvin (as "Troy") and the aforementioned Demien Slade. Likewise, having an actress as beautiful as Lori Laughlin certainly didn't hurt either. In any case, although this movie is far from perfect and probably won't appeal to all viewers, I enjoyed it and have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.
Review of Back to the Beach
