Really Surprised!

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

Of course escapism like this shouldn't be compared with anything meaningful. But even by Gidget-type standards, this entry bumps along in unwieldy fashion. That's mainly because a hundred minutes is too long for the erratic material; the humor from Van Dyke is more frantic than funny; while some exterior desert sets are cardboard and worse, look like it. Also, WB inserts about every contract player from TV (Stevens, Hardin, Conrad, Duggan) into the awkward mix, likely accounting for the stretched out run-time. Then too, Donahue, the ostensible star, is likely on WB's downgrade with little to do but stand around and model country club clothes. The movie does manage a few good moments— judo expert Amanda could be a dangerous date, a good impression of Eve Arden from a waspish Naomi, and a winning Ty Hardin as a romantic cowboy. Also, there's a charming little version of Bye, Bye, Blackbird from Hardin and Van Dyke. Anyhow, this sort of teen-age hedonism was about to give way to a Vietnam counter-culture that would soon look nothing like this glossy bon-bon. I confess to a soft spot for the Gidget series, but this lumpy confection unfortunately comes in a poor second. At least the surfing crowd didn't wear uptown suits for every occasion.

This is a mostly wimpy "Palm Springs Weekend" trip to "Where the Boys Are" (1960) territory. The studio stars an attractive cast of slightly long-in-the-tooth "teen idols" from Warner Bros. In case you miss the point, they court MGM lawyers by proclaiming "It's Where the Boys Are and Where the Girls Are" in advertising. From the just concluding youthful TV favorite "Hawaiian Eye" come cuties Troy Donahue, Connie Stevens, and Robert Conrad. Hollywood westerners Ty Hardin and Stefanie Powers round out the kissing quintet.You can't completely pan anything with a pre-teen Billy Mumy featured, but this one might make you want to be wished into the cornfield. Don't worry, Mumy's robotic companion Bob May is around to help you out. Mr. Donahue is assigned singing duty on the Elvis-like "Live Young" over the opening credits, which might have given Presley pal Red West déjà vu during "Roustabout" (1964). The Technicolor cast is sprinkled with familiar faces, contract players, and guest stars. Connections to Kevin Bacon should come in few degrees.**** Palm Springs Weekend (11/5/63) Norman Taurog ~ Troy Donahue, Connie Stevens, Stefanie Powers, Robert Conrad

The film's story is about what one would expect for a romantic comedy from the early 1960s. California guys chase girls, and vice versa. With an exception or two, the tone is lighthearted, upbeat, frothy, and fluffy.The script has an ensemble cast. Connie Stevens, Ty Hardin, Stefanie Powers, and Robert Conrad probably fare the best. And Carole Cook, as a perky hotel clerk, is quite good. But Andrew Duggan, Jack Weston, and Jerry Van Dyke all seem out of place here.Major characters have enough dimension, though just barely, to make them reasonably interesting, especially Gale Lewis (Stevens) and Eric Dean (Conrad). One could argue that the script over-populates the story. Three or four main characters might have worked better. As is, the plot is all over the place as it flits from one character to another.Comedy is quite juvenile. It is very unsubtle, and veers toward slapstick. As an example, an annoying little boy named Boom-Boom creates havoc when his behavior results in a swimming pool that fills up with soap bubbles.Music trends decidedly upbeat. I like the Van Dyke/Hardin duo of "Bye Bye Blackbird". But I could have wished for some songs from the early 60s. The Kingston Trio performs a rather uninteresting number. More interesting than the song are the large, unattractive horn-rimmed glasses the lead singer wears.Don't expect any complex plot or heavy-duty message here. "Palm Springs Weekend" is pure fluff, engineered for entertainment. As such, the film will appeal mostly to older audiences yearning for a bit of early 1960s nostalgia.

A smarmy variation on "Where the Boys Are" for jaded audiences, this is the type of teenage comedy that turns some viewers into anti-teenagers. Los Angeles college students trek to sunny Palm Springs for holiday hijinks, but boy-girl jealousies eventually erupt--and when the guys attempt to show each other up, it nearly spoils the fun. Low point occurs when Connie Stevens is assaulted on the hood of a car. Surprisingly tasteless binge (from, of all people, future "Waltons" creator Earl Hamner, Jr.) shows that the teen-genre was taking a turn into more cynical waters, despite the plush production. The gals are attractive, but poor Jerry Van Dyke is used for yahoo laughs and one can easily sense the smug condescension. ** from ****