The Boatniks

The Boatniks

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Norman Tokar
Produced by Ron Miller
Written by Arthur Julian
Story by Mary Roth
Starring Robert Morse
Stefanie Powers
Phil Silvers
Norman Fell
Mickey Shaughnessy Wally Cox
Music by Bruce Belland
Robert F. Brunner
Franklyn Marks
Cinematography William Snyder
Edited by Cotton Warburton
Production
company
Distributed by Buena Vista Distribution
Release dates
 July 1, 1970 (1970-07-01)
Running time
 100 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Box office $18,607,492[1]

The Boatniks is a 1970 American comedy film starring Robert Morse, Stefanie Powers, Don Ameche and Phil Silvers. It was made by Walt Disney Productions, released by Buena Vista Distribution and directed by Norman Tokar.

Young and awkward, Coast Guard Ensign Thomas Garland (Morse) suffers from the comparison with his late father, a war hero, which does not prevent him from falling for pretty Kate Fairchild (Powers), a young woman who runs a sailing school. Of course the way he expresses his deep feelings for the lady leaves much to be desired, and the situation does not improve when a trio of bumbling jewel thieves interferes.

Wally Cox had a supporting role playing a man who runs a boat for girls to give parties to for the purposes of socializing with men.

Plot

U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Jordan (Joey Forman) responds to a number of pleas for help from civilian pleasure boat sailors off the coast of Southern California. This type of event is typical of what the Coast Guard deals with on a regular basis, and is one of the reasons why Jordan has requested to transfer to a new station. He is handing over the reins to Ensign Tom Garland (Robert Morse), a polite but remarkably clumsy fellow who will now report to Commander Taylor (Don Ameche), a man who fought in World War II with Garland's father and holds him in high regard.

Through a series of events, Garland's ineptitude as the station's new skipper is revealed. He repeatedly flounders in tending to the various minor issues plaguing the crowded waters' impatient travelers. It also doesn't take long for him to set his eyes on Kate Fairchild (Stefanie Powers), a "girl next door" type who runs a local boat rental and sailing school spot on the coast.

Meanwhile, three jewel thieves are making their way to Mexico while listening to reports of their pursuit. There's ringleader Harry Simmons (Phil Silvers) who poses as a yacht club "commodore" and dispatches orders to his two associates, Charlie (Mickey Shaughnessy) and Max (Norman Fell). This trio has managed to steal a jewel collection, and they intend to smuggle them inside an assortment of casually hollowed food. They decide to rent a boat from Kate to make their way south of the border, although none of the three know how to sail.

With Kate's suggestion that the crooks' suspicious behavior might indicate criminality, she and Tom begin to suspect that they are indeed the three men reported about in a newspaper article. Tom is right about the suspects, but Commander Taylor doesn't initially believe it. Ultimately, Garland is able to convince Taylor, retrieve the stolen jewels, and ensure that the jewel thieves are arrested.

Releases

The Boatniks was released on July 1, 1970 and re-released theatrically on June 10, 1977. It was released twice on VHS in November 1983 and March 18, 1997 and DVD on August 2, 2005.

In 1970 the film earned an estimated $5 million in North American rentals.[2] By 1976 this figure was up to $6.6 million.[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Box Office Information for The Boatniks. The Numbers. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Big Rental Films of 1970", Variety, 6 January 1971 p 11
  3. ↑ "All-time Film Rental Champs", Variety, 7 January 1976 p 44
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