BACK TO THE BEACH

US, 1987, 92 minutes, Colour.
Frankie Avalon, Annette Funicello, Lori Loughlin, Connie Stevens.
Directed by Lyndall Hobbs.

Back to the Beach is a piece of mindless nostalgia, an opportunity for middle-aged people to see the hero and heroine of the '60s past, Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, going back to the beach.

The film was directed by Australian Lyndall Hobbs, features the stars who coproduced the film as well as a number of young stars - with guest appearances for old times' sake by Connie Stevens, Edd Byrnes and a number of stars of the past, including Alan Hale. 0.J. Simpson also puts in a humorous turn (which be was to elaborate in the parody, The Naked Gun).

The plot is as old as the hills - rather square parents, caught up with busyness and family, going to the west coast to their past, to check out on their daughter. She is living with a boy and the father reacts. He meets an old flame and the irony is that their daughter is in love with her son. There are set-ups and jealousies, dancing on the beach, a surfing competition and singing and dancing - all in the old style. The final comment of the film rings-true, tongue-in-cheek, as Annette Funicello asks us if they aren't the corniest of couples. And the answer, of course, is yes. An exercise in '80s nostalgia for the '60s.

1. Entertaining comedy? Musical? Old-fashioned plot updated-to the '80s?

2. The world of Ohio, the world of California, the beach, singing and dancing, surfers, glamour? The musical score, old and new songs? Dancing and choreography?

3. The title and an exercise in nostalgia? The young son explaining the impact of Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello at the beginning? The scenes from the past? Recapturing the past?

4. The sketch of Frankie and his business, the memories of the Big Kahuna, his being the square father about his daughter, hounding Michael, teaming up with him again, making Annette jealous, seeing Connie once again? The corniness
of the competition? Reconciliation? Annette as the perfect mother, memories of the past, trying to make her husband jealous, shopping, support of her daughter? The beach boy and trying to make Frankie jealous?

5. Connie and her being the mother of Michael? The California life? The man in charge of the beach? The old characters from the past? From Gilligan's Island?

6. The youngsters: Sandy, her relationship with Michael, living together, wanting to get married, confusion, the parents, hero and heroine?

7. Bobby as the knowing young kid, his being ashamed of his parents, making the commentary, embarrassed on the plane? With the bikies? Telling stories? The happy ending?

8. The satire on the beach boy with Michael but especially with Troy?

9. The guest stars, their comic turns?

10. American nostalgia? The perspective of the '80s on the '60s and their innocence?