SYNOPSICS
The Boatniks (1970) is a English movie. Norman Tokar has directed this movie. Robert Morse,Stefanie Powers,Phil Silvers,Norman Fell are the starring of this movie. It was released in 1970. The Boatniks (1970) is considered one of the best Family,Comedy movie in India and around the world.
Young and awkward U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Thomas Garland suffers from constant comparison with his late father, a war hero. He falls for pretty Kate Fairchild, a young woman who runs a sailing school. His awkward attempts to makes moves on her repeatedly backfire, and things go from bad to worse when a trio of clumsy jewel thieves interferes.
More
The Boatniks (1970) Reviews
Hard to believe these guys stole those jewels in the first place.
I saw Boatniks back in 1971 at the post theater in Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas and I remember talking a friend into seeing this. He wasn't keen on seeing a G rated family film. But he and I actually did enjoy it. The three heist men, Phil Silvers, Norman Fell, and Mickey Shaughnessy, steal the film. These three are a trio of the most inept crooks ever filmed. Graduating from the Three Stooges School of Crime, one scheme after another keeps blowing up for these three. They're so bad that on viewing it again after 34 years, my question is how did these three pull off the heist in the first place. Makes you wonder since the film opens with the heist having already been committed. Our hero isn't too much better. Robert Morse who made a sensational debut on Broadway in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and later did the film, seemed to go nowhere after that. He gets the role Dean Jones usually played in those Disney films of that era, the klutzy hero who finally pulls it together in the last reel after one foul up after another. Stefanie Powers gets the Suzanne Pleshette part, the girl who falls for the klutz. In these Disney films there's always the hero's boss who is forever on Morse's case. Here that would be Don Ameche as the Coast Guard Commander at the Marina. As debonair and charming as he ever was back in his days at 20th Century Fox, Ameche is always a joy to watch. Boatniks is not a terribly pretentious movie, but it's good fun.
Boat yuks by the dozen, a funny, funny film but more for adults, really
Thomas (Robert Morse) had the bad luck to be born the son of a celebrated Navy man. Although he is now an ensign in the Coast Guard, he is sort of a bad-luck magnet. He gets into numerous fender benders and mishaps, at home and on the job. This causes his superior officer (Don Ameche) much grief. Nevertheless, Tom's goofy charm wins him the heart of a woman in the boat business, Kate (Stefanie Powers). Into this mix comes a trio of jewel thieves with a leader named Harry (Phil Silvers). They were headed toward Mexico when the police, chasing them, closed the borders. Trying to hideout at the shoreline, they accidentally dropped their picnic basket full of jewels into the shallow coast waters. Aspiring to draw little attention to themselves, they take turns diving into the water to try and recover their jewelry. But, Thomas becomes suspicious and tries to find out their secret. Can Thomas salvage his reputation with a big bust on the waters? This is a terrific little film, made long ago, but still every bit a winner. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have the talents of Ameche, Morse, Powers, the great Silvers, Wally Cox, and others on screen. They are supremely capable of generating a "boat load" of laughs, haha. The plot is ingenious, too, with several twists, turns and surprises. Although the film does look a bit dated, it still sports nice costumes and lovely scenery, but the cinematography is definitely lacking. What is really strange is that the film, made for families, is truly more for the adults than for children. There is some slapstick, of course, but most of the humor will fly over the heads of the kiddies. Then, too, there is a good deal of women running around in skimpy swimsuits and some celebration of those "happy hours" on board. Nevertheless, do not skip over this little gem. It is quite funny and clever, putting any viewer into a "yuk fest" funk that will last for hours.
Who's Guarding the Coast?
This movie is not as far off-base as some may believe. Having served in the Coast Guard in the 80's (a little after this movie came out in 1970) it is not too hard to believe that many of the scenes could have really taken place (and still do in a lot of places). Sure, you'd surely be relieved of command for sinking a boat, but chill - it's a comedy, not a documentary. Anyway, Phil Silvers is marvelous and Norman Fell is so good in his deadpan role. Stephanie Powers is about as hot as she ever was and Don Ameche as the Base CO is perfect. And don't forget Wally Cox as Jason - I wish he had tied up near us! Don't expect too much from this lightweight, but rather sit back, maybe crack open a cold one (don't set it by your compass - of course cans were made of steel then) and just enjoy a far simpler time.
I was surprised when I discovered this movie
I thought I had seen just about every Disney live action film from the 60's and 70's but I had never even heard of this one till I saw it on the shelf at the public library. I really enjoyed it. You've got your klutzy Coast Guard ensign Thomas Garland, a nice boating instructor girl who helps him out of his jams, and the very well-acted trio of jewel thieves. Plus some interesting minor characters as well. I particularly enjoyed watching Phil Silvers boss around his two crook associates and always seemed to get out of doing any work himself - it was very in character with his cheating and taking advantage of people in his other role I have seen, in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. The only downside for me was that I usually watch films that have a lot of recognizable names (at least for a Disney live-action fan) and Silvers was the only one I could place, and not in a Disney film. I recognized the names of Mickey Shaughnessy, Norman Fell, and Don Ameche as Ensign Garland's superior but didn't know from where until I did some research. I give it an 8 for a very enjoyable story.
Not San Diego
Whoever wrote this was in San Diego Harbor obviously didn't watch the movie or has never been to San Diego. It is in Balboa Bay. You see the car ferry crossing the bay and almost being smashed, and San Diego doesn't now or ever had a car ferry in their bay. Also, they talk about Balboa in several places. I saw this in the movies in 1970 and have had it on VHS for years. Great summer movie. It's lots of fun, don't expect too much, like the Ugly Dachshund, the Love Bug movies just enjoy! It is fun to see these classic actors doing a fun goofy movie. Wally Cox and Joe E Ross are hilarious. I am sure Rodney Dangerfield did his crazy boat driving in Caddyshack after seeing Joe E Ross as the crazy boater in this movie. Just the best!