A Brilliant Conflict

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Is this really supposed to be a comedy? Surely it is and always should be where the girls are? The idea is that the girl is the one who is chased until she catches her man, and if he is the son of a multimillionaire, so much the better. People who know about this sort of thing like this film, including Camille Paglia, a so-called feminist, who thought the date rape scene was excellent. Well, it wasn't really a date rape, nor was it much of a scene, but clearly that is where the laughter stopped, assuming it ever started.The fish tank scene in the restaurant wasn't funny either, but anyone born after about 1990 will surely find it laughable to see a surgeon walk straight out of the operating theatre and light up a cigarette. The music isn't much better either.

The movie's a big candy box valentine to its time period. But, since there's a lot of boy-girl clinching going on, the box comes with a dramatic warning at the end, a kind of moral reckoning also indicative of the era. As I recall, the movie was a big hit with young fans. And why not, since the popular Gidget series made a whole franchise out of sun and surf. Now I was prepared to really dislike a movie about unthinking hedonism. Just the thought of George Hamilton in a swimsuit makes my hair go greasy. Still, it's a winning cast of young folks, and better than expected. Even Hamilton is not too obnoxious. There's the steady-hand Dolores Hart; the poignant Paula Prentiss; the introverted Yvette Mimieux; and a sparkling Connie Frances. On the male side is a flaky Jim Hutton; a cultured Hamilton; and a goofy Frank Gorshin. Mix 'em together and there's a lot of good natured entertainment. The Technicolor also shines, as it should, since that's a big part of these sunny beach epics. And catch how the screenplay uses awkward innuendo to soften the abundant hormonal drive. After all, these youngsters are not gathering to play Parcheesi. Still, I see a cloud on the distant horizon. It's gathering in southeast Asia and will soon replace these youthful idylls with an Easy Rider (1969) or a Medium Cool (1969). Nonetheless, the movie's a generally frolicking good time, George Hamilton or no.

WHERE THE BOYS ARE is delightfully entertaining and you'll be singing the song for days! I love the fact that it is really a Spring Break soap opera that doesn't take itself too seriously. As with all soaps, a couple of threads are usually the highlights. These threads are played by our leads: Hart, Hamilton, Hutton, and Prentiss. Jim Hutton and Paula Prentiss always play off of each other so well, and here again they do not disappoint. They are the comedic story thread. Delores Hart and George Hamilton bring out the romantic drama aplenty. Of course, there are many other lovely girls and silly guys to round out the cast. It's the perfect cast for a Spring Break Beach movie.This isn't necessarily an award winning worthy film, but if they gave awards for Popcorn and Powder Puff Pieces, then this would be in the top 10. It's fun to watch once a year as all the college kids are headed off on Spring Break. Yes, times have changed. Yes, this film is dated. And yes, it represents the end of an era before the studio system began to collapse and then anything goes from that point on, and that's not necessarily a good thing. So relax, enjoy, and be prepared to be entertained two times over by the great Connie Francis who acts and sings the famous title song. Best of all, enjoy being transported to a week of fluff and fun!

I would watch this when I was a child and dream of meeting a wonderful guy like George Hamilton's character. And I agree with a previous comment about the late Frank Gorshin's Basil character-he was hilarious-the fish tank sequence is a classic!! I laugh every time I see it. The entire movie is a great slice of nostalgia. My how this world has changed. My father loved Connie Francis so I grew up on all of her songs. The TV remake should never have been made. This is a classic film and still stands today. Too bad Delores Hart became a nun, she was a good actress-hope she is at peace. I try to catch this whenever it is shown on TV. Loved the great Jim Hutton too.