Product Details

• Actors: Robert Morse, Stefanie Powers, Phil Silvers, Norman Fell, Mickey Shaughnessy
• Directors: Norman Tokar
• Writers: Arthur Julian, Martin Roth
• Producers: Ron Miller, Tom Leetch
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Buena Vista Home Ent
• VHS Release Date: March 18, 1997
• Run Time: 99 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6301708288
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #106,764 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"Man the Laffboats" reads the original 1970 cover of Disney’s classic whodunnit film comedy, a seaside shenanigan starring an accident-prone ensign and a trio of bumbling jewel thieves. Robert Morse (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) plays Coast Guard Ensign Thomas Garland, an earnest public servant trying to live under the towering shadow of his late father while convinced he’s jinxed since he can barely control the chaotic waters of Newport harbor. In the middle of the nautical madness come Harry (Phil Silvers), Max (Norman Fell), and Charlie (Mickey Shaughnessy), low-grade criminals trying to recover a picnic basket of stolen jewels that was accidentally dropped into the bay. Canoes, catamarans, and submarines cavort within the simple storyline, which allows ample opportunity for the talented supporting cast to set sail into the spotlight including Stefanie Powers (playing smart, sincere Kate Fairchild), and Don Ameche (Commander Taylor). Plenty of sea-faring slapstick will keep all ages suitably entertained and even when the gags occasionally run aground, Disney stays the course with a predictably happy ending awash in wedding bells. (G-rated) --Lynn Gibson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good clean comedy, November 8, 2005

By 

microjoe - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Boatniks (DVD)

STORY: A seasoned Coast Guard Lt. Jordan (Joey Forman) is transferring out of one of the craziest, most crowded recreational harbors in the US coastlines, Newport Beach Harbor, California. Robert Morse stars his bumbling new replacement, Coast Guard Ensign Thomas Garland. This wacky movie is about the trials and tribulations faced by those rescuers at sea that must save the amateur weekend boaters (beatniks) from themselves. The great Don Ameche stars as the tough area Commander who served with Garland's father, a famous Admiral, so he has high expectations of Garland Jr. On the other hand Garland feels that he is jinxed to live in his father's shadow, contributing to his bad luck. Kate (Stefanie Powers) runs a local boat rental and sailing school. After rescuing him from his own wreck, she gets romantically involved with the Ensign as they must join forces to catch some jewel thieves. Phil Silvers, Mickey Shaugnessy, and Norman Fellstar as the 3 bumbling jewel thieves on the run from the police.

BEHIND THE SCENES: The movie promotional poster at the time said, "Here comes those marina madcaps who go down to the sea every weekend ...down, and down, and down, and down, and down". This movie is simply loaded with visual sight gags and slapstick comedy. During the opening credits alone there are 4 funny mishaps and rescues. Bob Haskins as Chief Walsh. Chiyoko Kuni as the Japanese geisha, Joe Flynn, Wally Cox, Tom Lowell, Vito Scotti, Sammy Jackson, Joe Ross, Judy Jordan, Al Lewis. Kelly Thordson is the police officer on a motorcycle, a role he played in 5 Disney films. Many of the actors appeared in other Disney comedies of the period.
Directed by Norman Tokar, who directed 15 films and TV movies for Disney Studios, from 1961 until his untimely death in 1979. His titles include "The Cat from Outer Space", "The Horse in the Grey Flannel Suit", "The Ugly Dachshund", "Rascal", and "The Apple Dumpling Gang". Screenplay by Arthur Julian and Marty Roth. The studio filmed extensively on location at Newport Beach in California and its marina, in addition to shooting scenes at the Disney studio backlot, soundstages, and in a water tank to simulate the sea. Many stuntmen were used in the multiple scenes of boats that capsized.
First released to theatres on July 1, 1970, and it was well received by the drive-in movie crowd, who were going to see surf and bikini movies. Even dads who sometimes shunned family movies wanted to see the boating hi-jinks, as boating was a popular fad at the time. Disney studio composer Robert Brunner worked with Bruce Belland to co-write the title song. 100 minutes in length. Aired on the "Wonderful World of Disney" TV show in a 2 hour special format on November 12, 1978 and again on June 2, 1991. Released to video for the first time in 1984.
Rated "G" for Good clean fun for the whole family.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars lots of nostalgic fun -That 70's Disney movie, January 26, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Boatniks [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Good clean Fun.Back in those days when the disney studio made a situation comedy there really was just one motive and that was to have fun. Hot of the heels after the success of the Love Bug, Boatniks tried to capture some of that rollicking sense of whimsey. Joe Flynn, Robert Morse and the entire cast are all seasoned pro's. Lots of fun

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Family Film, January 18, 2007

By 

D. Monday "the monday clan" (TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Boatniks (DVD)

I first saw this movie as a child and have been looking for it on DVD for several years so I could share it with my children. It's just great clean family entertainment.