The Malibu Bikini Shop

Two bothers, business oriented Alan, & the more fun loving, skirt-chasing Todd (Bruce Greenwood) inherit a bikini shop in Malibu and attempt to make the failing business profitable. At first in order to sell it. Meanwhile Alan (whom is engaged to the stunning, but whiny, spoiled Jane) is falling for Ronnie, a sexy worker at the shop.

This is a typically lightweight '80's teen sex comedy that's a tad light in the nudity department when compared to other films of it's ilk, yet still holds a place in my heart, simply because it was a staple of USA's now sadly defunct "Up All Night" series which in turn was a big part of my formative years. Choice nudity from the stunning Bobbi Pavis doesn't hurt in the least, and it's always nice to see the late great Frank Nelson at work (sadly younger generations only know of him through his caricature on a few episodes of "The Simpsons") So if you're in the mood for stuffy 'old fogies' getting shocked at the 'hijinks' of teens, big hair, natural boobs, light escapism & other staples of the more innocent 1980's comedies, give this one a watch. (although the lengthy dance number & cheesy hot tub scenes still makes me cringe a bit whenever i see them)

Eye Candy: Bobbi Pavis, Jeana Loring, Barbara Horan, & about 8 or 9 extras fleetingly get topless; one extra shows her ass

My Grade: C+

Just a fun movie set in the 80's before political correctness, which has driven movies to be largely manufactured with the same plots, and with a single developed character (supporting actors with real roles has become a thing of the past). The feminists will scream exploitation, but it's harmless fun, and extremely tame compared to what teenagers now watch on the internet by comparison - just bikinis and a few boobs. It's a fact of life that men will always look at women, especially good looking ones; and this film has a number of them, plus some good music. The plot was never meant to be drama, but just a light weight comedy about two boys inheriting a bikini shop - every guys dream; and their attempts to save it with marketing initiatives worth seeing. It was never attempting to win an academy award - the film doesn't take itself seriously; but rather just providing light titillation with a few chuckles & smiles. No murders or gratuitous violence; you just end up with a grin after watching it. Our world could do worse.

The plot of two brothers trying to save their inherited bikini shop doesn't matter. The unending MTV moments doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is that "Malibu Bikini Shop" is a beach bunny voyeur's delight. There are dozens and dozens of bikini closeups, a cute plot, adequate acting, and authentic beach front atmosphere. A couple of outrageous moments, involving a two way mirror in the girls dressing room, are highlights. Naturally there is some tasteful nudity too. Sure some scenes go on way too long, stretching the 80 minutes of material to 98 minutes, but that is a so what, since the tedious musical numbers all involve bikinis. This is a lighthearted fun beach frolic that stands above almost all of it's similar competition. - MERK

"Alan" (Michael David Wright) has just graduated from Northern Chicago University when he learns that his aunt has passed away and left him an inheritance. Curious to discover what he has inherited he heads out to Malibu with the intention of selling his new property and getting back to Chicago to be with his extremely spoiled fiancé, "Jane" (Debra Blee). However, when he gets there he finds that all he is left with is 51% of a bikini shop which is heavily in debt. He also discovers that the other 49% belongs to his brother "Todd" (Bruce Greenwood) who loves to party and has no business skills at all. In addition to that, he has 3 female employees named "Kathy" (Ami Julius), "Cindy" (Gayln Gorg) and "Ronnie" (Barbara Horan) who depend on the bikini shop to make ends meet. Now rather than reveal any more of this movie I will just say that this could have been an okay "bikini movie" if it had better comedy and a less predictable plot. Be that as it may, I thought the acting was adequate enough for the job at hand and having some attractive ladies certainly helped to a degree. That being said, although there are certainly better movies of this type out there, this one wasn't too bad overall and for that reason I rate it as just slightly below average.

Before internet, before everyone started screaming; racism, sexism, offensive this and that, and before everybody had a bug up their A** There were skins flicks as we used to call them when I was a kid in the 80s. Next to the beach, this was the best way to watch girls in different states of nudity. Now these films might not be Oscar material, but to us kids in the 80s it was heaven. Don't get me wrong hardly any of them, if any, have any greater plot than to show good looking half naked girls,and maybe give a few good laughs while they do so. But if you are expecting a movie like this to have any other purpose than nudity and good looking girls,you have parked your but in front of the wrong movie. I give this 5 star. For the memory alone