Customer Reviews

The Boatniks [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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

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.

Today I had the chance to buy two DVDs at the same price. One was of the restored version of "The High and the Mighty", with two discs--one containing a beautiful widescreen transfer of the film with accompanying audio commentary anchored by Leonard Maltin; the other stuffed with special features on the making of and restoration of the film. The other was a full-screen version of "The Boatniks" from Disney DVD, with an outtakes reel and nothing else. Both items were offered at $14.99. So, which do you think was the better deal?

The difference between these two packages pretty much sums up everything wrong with Disney DVD's latest botched release. "The Boatniks" is a zippy, funny farce from 1970, which is eons better than some of the Disney films that followed it. Robert Morse, Stefanie Powers and Don Ameche anchor the fine cast, and there are hysterical performances by Phil Silvers and Mickey Schaunessy leading a gang of diamond thieves as they try to smuggle their catch out of Long Beach harbor without getting caught. The film is a riot. Too bad I can't recommend such a cheap, cheesy packaging of this fine film, especially since for the same price I can support the film restoration efforts of John Wayne's Batjac company, who, through Paramount Home Video, has rescued a long-lost film and given it a second life on home video at a reasonable price considering the content. Disney DVD, however, couldn't care less about restoration and giving its consumers a good deal on its ridiculously overpriced product. So no matter how much I'd like the film, no sale on this one.

Just think about it. My senior citizen parents just bought a widescreen TV. Now Mom won't buy a DVD unless its in widescreen format so it will look good on her TV. These TVs are becoming more and more affordable. Before long, most homes will have them. Next thing you know, Disney will be rereleasing all these films in "special edition widescreen" formats and will expect everyone who bought fullscreen versions to repurchase (at an even more ridiculous price) these special editions that they should have offered in the first place.

So, there you have it. The reasoning behind the ripoff. Don't be fooled into buying substandard product. This version of "The Boatniks" just doesn't cut it.

* (out of *****) for the presentation of this classic film.

This is a classic from Disney Pictures that all boaters should have on their yacht. An easy movie to watch filled with sail boats, power boats and good actors as well.

I have wonderful memories of seeing this movie in the theater as a kid.
Eve then I knew that Robert Morse, Stephanie Powers, Joe Flynn, Norman Fell,
Mickey Shaughnessy, Don Ameche and especially Phil Silvers were legendary
performers. A simple Disney farce but it's always a pleasure to watch pros
like these at work.

This is an endearing comedy of bumbling jewel thieves headed by Phil Silvers, up against an equally hapless Coast Guard officer. It's a really, really funny movie.

This has always been a favorite of my father, husband and brothers. I have to admit I even enjoy itevery couple of months.

Eh. (shrug)

Typical run-of-the-mill late 60's-early 70's Disney tv production.

I believe this was one of the weekly episodic movies that ran as a Movie Of The Week a.k.a. The Wonderful World Of Disney (the given name during this time frame of 1969-1979).

Wasn't one of their top notch products intended for the theaters, just something cranked out to fill out a television schedule.

According to Wikipedia the anthology series is the second longest prime-time program in the US starting in 1954 and, depending on how you read it, finally came to an end around 1997.

Decidedly pedestrian and adequate fare for the type.

It is one of the Disney show I remember watching as a kid. I thought it would be fun to see again. I had not been able to find it anywhere and then decided to try Amazon.com. It was available and came promply after I ordered. I watched it and enjoyed it all over again. Thanks Amozon.