Bikini Drive-In

Bikini Drive-In is a proud contributor to the "we must save the (insert place here) by getting naked" genre. Ashley Rey stars as Kim Taylor a sexy young woman who inherits her grandfather's car wash and finds herself in danger of losing it if she doesn't come up with 25,000 dollars in four days. If she doesn't then a greedy land developer (David Friedman- hamming it up) will tear it down and build a super mall. He sends his handsome son (Richard Gabai playing it cool and funny)to strong arm her and they end up in a hot and steamy love scene (unrated edition only). They join forces with Sara Bellomo (or to all you porn fans out there "Roxanne Blaze")and a cast of busty bikini babes to put on a movie marathon to raise money. Nikki Fritz and Tom Shell play two nerds in love. Once Nikki Fritz removes her bathing suit and takes off her glasses then she and Tom have wild sex in the storage room.It's a shame that Tom Shell isn't acting anymore because he is adorable. Becky Lebeau makes an appearance and also contributes some great songs (Wild Fire, Point of Seduction, Lost Without You, Caught in the Middle of love) and it's a wonder why she hasn't gotten some kind of music deal. Fred Olen Ray contributes a funny cameo as Randy Rocket and Michelle Bauer as a scream queen. I have to stress that if you do see this movie then see it unrated. The steamy love scenes do not exist in their entirety in the rated version.

Searching to find a decent movie about drive-in theatres or movies that have a main plot around a drive-ins, I read about this one on the IMDB I was pleasantly surprised after watching it. The plot consists of the main character named Kim who inherits a drive-in theatre from her late Grandfather. In order to turn a profit, she enlists the help of her bodacious girlfriends to help turn the theatre around and generate some publicity which in turn makes the theatre one of the hot spots of LA. It's light entertainment, and has some funny moments in it. On the whole, it's an entertaining movie through and through with some good natured humour thrown in.

The basis for this review is the 2023 Blu-ray.

Fred Olen Ray fans will be very happy; the results he achieved with this restoration are stunning. The movie looks like it was shot yesterday. Colors that were dull and muddy on the old version now pop. The clumpy grain and pixelation that marred the old DVD? Gone, replaced by a clean and crisp image, one that has not been DNR'd to death. The original 4x3 aspect ratio has been preserved, so no worries about image cropping. Frankly, I've seen releases by big Hollywood studios that didn't look anywhere near as good as this. Mr. Ray did not ignore the sound quality, either. Dialogue is clear, and the under appreciated soundtrack can be heard in all its glory. The movie is also completely uncut and uncensored. And oh, boy...it's a veritable feast for the eyes, featuring an impressive roster of early 90s T&A actresses.

"Bikini Drive-In" is a 1993 incarnation of an old trope: a failing business that is saved by the timely intervention of a group of attractive women. It's simple, effective, and provides the groundwork for ninety minutes of goofy, sexy fun. One scene in particular, featuring Michelle Bauer and Richard Gabai, exemplifies this. Trust me, you'll know it when you see it.

I couldn't write a review for this film and not mention Sarah Bellomo, of "Beach Babes From Beyond" fame. She's hotter than Texas asphalt during a heat wave in August.

Do not ignore the special features; every single one of them is worth a look. The commentary track with Fred Ray and Richard Gabai is both funny and interesting. I would argue that this is one of Mr. Ray's best movies, and one of the best discs released under the Retromedia label. Highly recommended. Hopefully, he will do the same for "Bikini Airways" one day.

Ashlie Rhey is our endearing leading lady in this amiable feature, playing Kim Taylor, a young woman fairly bored with her life. Fortunately, she's in for some excitement, as she receives word that her recently deceased grandfather has left her his (failing) drive-in theatre. She's genuinely interested in making a go of things, but she only has the weekend to come up with $25,000 or the bank will lay claim to the property. She doesn't want to let sleazy businessman J.B. Winston (played by the Mighty Monarch of Exploitation, David F. Friedman) bail her out, because he just wants to build a "super mall" on the premises. With the help of J.B.'s son, Brian (Richard Gabai), and assorted others - including scream queen Dyanne Lynn (Michelle Bauer) - she sets out to make this upcoming weekend as profitable as it can possibly be.

Only one scene, in which one character seems about to set another on fire, is at odds with the genuinely lighthearted approach taken by prolific B movie veterans Fred Olen Ray (director) and Jim Wynorski (executive producer) to this material. This viewer was expecting something explicit and trashy, and the movie delivers in that regard, but what he also got was a very loving tribute to drive-in cinema, and a nearly bygone way of experiencing a night out at the movies. "Bikini Drive-In" is very appealing, in its best moments, and is good for a LOT of titillation and some hearty chuckles. Certainly there is a great attraction in seeing a lot of vintage posters of B movies from decades past, ranging from "The Cremators" to "Invasion of the Blood Farmers". A cheery pop soundtrack is a plus. The finale is rather rushed, but it's sure to leave smiles on some faces.

Ray and Wynorski have great success peppering the cast with many new and old faces from cult cinema. These actors couldn't be more engaging. Ross Hagen, Peter "Orville Ketchum" Spellos, Nikki Fritz, Conrad Brooks, Gordon Mitchell, Hoke Howell, Forrest J. Ackerman, director Ray himself (playing DJ Randy Rocket), Becky LeBeau, Tane McClure, and Wynorski all make appearances; McClures' "car dance" and Bauers' massage are unqualified highlights. The assets of our female cast members are stressed at any and every opportunity, and some of the males get into the act, too, as there are a few sex scenes.

If you're a fan of the filmographies of Messrs. Ray and Wynorski, this is pretty much essential viewing.

A head shot of John Carradine is used for a key photograph.

Eight out of 10.

Gordon Mitchell has a small role playing GOLIATH in this fun film about a drive-in theater in financial trouble. Gordon Mitchell told me he did this clip as a favor to a friend. I have added two photos to the gallery that Gordon sent to me years ago. Enjoy.