Ride the Wild Surf
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Movie Reviews of Ride the Wild Surf
Movie Review: Fun 1960's Surfing Story With Incredible Hawaiian Surfing Footage
Summary: 4 Stars
I think alot of people viewing "Ride the Wild Surf",from 1964 believe they are about to see your typical 1960's beach party film. However this particular entry in the popular cycle of surf and beach movies is quite different from the rest. Most notably it has a totally different group of young or "youngish", cast members to the Beach party films and there is no Frankie Avalon or Annette Funicello in sight. Secondly while still a story of adventure and romance set against surfing action "Ride the Wild Surf", is for the most part much more serious in tone and in its approach to the material and is removed from the usual California settings of the other stories and is instead filmed on location in Hawaii which adds greatly to the visual appeal of the film. Incorporating some truly spectacular surfing footage which is some of the best of its kind this film however has in common with other beach stories the practice of using the now comical back projection photography supposedly showing the actors "riding", the waves before cutting to real footage of surfers in action. Its all good fun however and like most of the story shouldn't be taken too seriously but just enjoyed for its many appealing elements.
"Ride the Wild Surf", tells the story of three Californian buddies Jod Wallis (Fabian), Chase Colton (Peter Brown), and Steamer Lane (Tab Hunter) who (despite the very evident age differences!), are college mates seeking the ultimate adventure by travelling to Hawaii over the New Year's break to ride the waves and tackle the infamous Big Wiamea which is the biggest set of waves off Hawaii's North Shore. Predictably each guy has his own set of issues to sort out before tackling the giant 30ft wave. Jody was a neglected child who has no trust in people despite falling for Brie Matthews (Shelley Fabares)who works hard to get him to reengage in his studies rather than surfing his life away, Chase suffers from a too practical nature caused by his affluent background that his relationship with carefree Augie Poole (Barbara Eden), helps to dispel, while Steamer has to contend with the disapproving mother Mrs. Kilua (Catherine McLeod), of his love interest Lily (Susan Hart)who thinks all surfers are bums and not to be trusted like her own ex husband. During the course of the groups holiday their romantic complications are eventually sorted and each guy grows stronger and more confident in themselves as a result. Jody learns to trust people again and makes plans for the future back home, Chase learns to lighten up and not feel he has to be perfect all the time, while Steamer wins Mrs. Kilua's belief in his sincerity and settles down to work on her property in Hawaii. All of this occurs of course just in time for the climatic arrival of the Wiamea which pits the guys against their rivals in the challenge to see who can master the monster waves. As it turns out all the guys slowly withdraw from the competition except Jody and his chief rival Eskimo (James Mitchum). After much effort and some perilous rides on the giant waves Jody is the sole surfer left and in the climax of the story he sucessfully rides the giant wave right into the beach to the aproval of all the crowd watching the spectacle from the beach.
"Ride the Wild Surf", takes an interesting different slant on the usual surfing story and has generally better production values than most of the beach party films from the same period. The sense of competition between the guys and the need to prove themselves is really the central theme here and while it has its fair quota of babes, bikini's and surfer music it is no where near as light hearted as the Frankie and Annette films. The location photography in Hawaii is truly breathtaking which makes this film an ideal viewing experience for armchair travellers but it is the stunning surfing camera work that really captures your attention here. You dont even need to be a fan of the sport to enjoy this as the photography is amazing and at the climax of the story surprisingly gripping. Of course the film also has the comical marching shots of the actors supposedly riding the waves that are only present in back projection while they balance on obviously stationary surf boards but those scenes are half the fun of this film. The cast of "Ride the Wild Surf", is an interesting one and really is a snap shot of the young performers who were popular in this early 1960's period. Fabian and Tab Hunter of course were the teen heart throbs of the time while Peter Brown (with blonde hair here for some strange reason) would become a popular 60's actor on the western series "Laredo". Barbara Eden ( also with a change of hair colour), went from this movie into her most famous role on TV in "I Dream of Jeannie", while Shelley Fabares had just completed her on going role on "The Donna Reed Show", released some hit singles such as "Johnny Angel" and was a popular young performer around this time. Performances by the whole cast are standard for this type of vehicle and the males are featured in all their bronzed muscled glory while the females parade in a never ending series of colourful bikini's as they wait on the beach for their men. The action is all very innocent with no sex featured except for a chaste kiss or two and certainly is a reflection of a time long gone which for me at least succeeds in increasing this film's appeal. The story flows along at a good speed however and director Don Taylor never allows the character development to get too much in the way of the films chief attraction which of course is the wonderful surfing footage.
For me "Ride the Wild Surf", is a nostalgic journey back to the innocence of the early 1960's. While it is a time I can't personally recall myself it has many appealing elements to it which is why I enjoy both the Frankie/Annette type of beach movies as well as this bigger budgeted more serious effort. The hit song that is used for the movie's title by Jan and Dean is also a winner and the film has all the essential elements of a surf movie with goodlooking young people, plenty of spectacular surfing action and of course the standard romance. In short it's the perfect way to spend a couple of hours where no deep meanings are present and the delights are all of the visual kind. Enjoy!
Movie Review: Hang Ten, Danno
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a review for the 1964 teen flic release, RIDE THE WILD SURF.
RIDE THE WILD SURF is a much better movie than might be thought.
The basic story is a group of young surfers go to Hawaii to ride the
best waves and make a go of having the best surfing safari of all time.
And eventually the best of them wind up in a sort of informal surfing championship that just happens to be on a "Wide World of Sports" type show.
I should mention that although there are many teen favorites in the
cast there are also no Frankie and Annette, no Eric Von Zipper and no
fading stars from the classic Hollywood era such as Bob Cummings
and the usually woefully misused Buster Keaton.
Instead we have a cast of young pros doing the best they can,
depending on their various abilities, acting in a pretty much natural
fashion. Young stars such as Peter Brown (with dyed blonde hair), Fabian,
Jim Mitchum, Barbara Eden, Tab Hunter, Shelley Fabres, Susan Hart and
Roger Davis.
Again, maybe not the greatest actors but in RIDE THE WILD SURF none
of them get in the way or stumble over furniture.
But the best thing about RIDE THE WILD SURF is the cinematography.
Just great shots of surfers looking like action figure miniatures
while being dwarfed by fantastic looking giant waves that look like
they want surfer blood for dinner.
Some extraordinary shots make it easy to see the appeal of the
sport and why so many folks are still involved in it. As someone else
said, this has to be the best non- documentary surfing photography
in a commercial movie.
If you have a chance to see RIDE THE WILD SURF, don't pass it up.
It's a worthwhile film, maybe not for the usual reasons but I give
it four stars.
Movie Review: "The Big Daddy Of Them All ~ You Either Have It Or You Don't"
Summary: 4 Stars
Journey back with me to the simplier, more naive time of the early to mid-60's when all young men were supposed to think about was girls in bikini's, surf music and the perfect wave. Released in '64 'Ride the Wild Surf' belonged in that genre of movies that brought teenagers flocking to the theaters in mass. In my estimation it happens to be the best of the bunch, despite the fact that Frankie and Annette are nowhere to be found.
What young girl would want to miss out on seeing Fabian, Tab Hunter and Peter Brown challenging surfings best and the waves of Hawaii in the quest to be the last man surfing. As for the guys, well how about Shelley Fabares, Barbara Eden and Susan Hart to wet you appetite?
Don't be expecting Shakespeare. Be prepared for horribly cliched dialogue poorly delivered, lots of absurd posturing and totally predictable dialogue. It's a hoot!
Movie Review: Barbara Eden is a real Judo Blackbelt!
Summary: 4 Stars
Loved this show as it typifies the surf 60's scene. What was most impressive to me is the stunning Ms Barbara Eden in one of her most down to earth characters yet. Few people know that Barbara Eden was a Judo expert and she gets a rare chance to show off her skills on this set as she playfully throws her would be boyfriend Chase to the ground after he taunts her abilities. After she humbles him to the ground while keeping him in a judo lock placing her bare foot down upon his face, he finally gives up and learns to also "lighten up" for the rest of the show. Overall some great surfing and cool waves, this is a cult classic for everyone who loves a good throwback to the early 60's innocence.Movie Review: Awesome old beach blanket movie.
Summary: 4 Stars
I kept seeing this on tv, and it was just so funny and kitschy I knew I had to have it. Great little love stories, funny innocent 60s culture film, the surfing is obviously not the biggest element in this movie, but if you want a fun beach blanket-esque film experience, you are looking in the right place!