Sunset Cove

In his recent book, John Carradine:The Films, author Tom Weaver declared this film to be a lost film. Try as he could, he was unable to locate the film for viewing, as he tried to do with all of Carradine's films. Maybe it is lost today; if so, it's too bad. I have seen it---it aired a couple of times on Phoenix, Arizona TV in the early 1980s (admittedly, a long time ago). As far as bubble-headed beach movies go, it wasn't really that bad, and I would go so far as to say it was one of Al Adamson's better efforts. In his book, Tom Weaver also said there is confusion as to what kind of character John Carradine (cast as "Judge Winslow") played, since 1978 data on the film clearly indicated he did not play the presiding trial judge. On the outside chance that Weaver (or any friends of his) see my remarks here on IMDb, I would like to clear the matter up. My memory of the film is that John Carradine played a retired judge who gives the kids legal advice on how to go about saving their beach. Also, typical of the degrading level of the cameos the great Carradine was reduced to in his declining years, I remember the script called for other characters to refer to him as "senile". I have always been a Carradine fan, and if this truly is a lost film, I'm glad I was able to see it, even if it was long ago.

It was fun to watch a found lost film especially when it is directed by "B" movie royalty Al Adamson who has directed many enjoyable films. Sunset Cove's plot revolved around a bunch of high school kids attempting to stop an evil land developer (Dexter), played quite well by James B Martin, from building a Hotel on their beloved Sunset Beach. Hijinks ensue as the crazy kids attempt to blackmail (Mayor Nix) played with over the top camp by William Smidt. There is ample nudity although definitely nothing to write home about as the film rolls on to a happy conclusion.

One of the problems with the film is that there is not a solid actor among the kids who is a viable leading man as both Mark Flynn who does an adequate job playing the high school kid with a cool van (Bart) who incidentally doesn't look a day over 32, and Ray Andrews who plays the brains of the high school kids operation (Mike). He is lost in the film and is frankly terribly directed as the would be lovable nerd. Both Bart and Mike look like they have tooth picks for arms which doesn't stop wimpy Bart from getting tough when he has to, yeah right Bart. Mikes girlfriend (Joyce) Karen Fredrik is passable as the leading lady but really nothing great. Pretty Shirley Broger looks good and adds a little energy to the film playing Bart's girlfriend (Mimi). There is a third female amigo to Joyce and Mimi (Joanne) played by the aesthetically deficient Jane Ralston who kind of looks like a poor girls Squeeky Fromme.

The other major high school guy is the gangs frenamy (Moose) played stiffly by Bill Nuckols. This is where Al Adamson just dosn't seem to get it with Moose directing his two high school girlfriends (Bubles) Jenni Bardell and (Pig Iron) Sherri Coyle to have sex with any guy Moose finds favor with. The rest of the high school gang thinks that is just a hoot for some reason.

To sum it up, OK at best cinematography by the over rated IMHO Gary Graver, a terrible script , uneven acting and a substandard directing job by my buddy Al Adamson, Sorry Al.

I recently watched Sunset Cove (1978) on Tubi. The storyline follows a beach that's about to be bulldozed and developed. A local band of misfits isn't having it-they rally together to save their beloved hangout spot from destruction.

This film is directed by Al Adamson (Horror of the Blood Monsters) and stars John Carradine (The Grapes of Wrath), John Durren (Peopletoys), Jay B. Larson (Cinderella 2000), and William Smidt (The Young Savages).

This movie is exactly what you'd expect-a ridiculous story, a Porky's-style sex comedy that leans heavily on topless nudity and light rebellion. The women are gorgeous, and the van scene is a clear standout, but the acting and dialogue are painfully stiff-though let's be honest, that's not really why you're watching it. That said, I wish the plot and comedy had a bit more wit and originality.

In conclusion, Sunset Cove is another attempt at riding the wave of Animal House and Porky's-style comedies, but it never reaches the level of either. I'd score this a 4/10 and recommend skipping it.

1977's "Sunset Cove" was a 70s update on the 'Beach Party' fad from huckster director Al Adamson, its working title "Save Our Beach" in place when shooting kicked off January 29. The expected hijinks include songs, dancing, swimming, eating, drinking, streaking, hangliding, shooting hoops, and making out in vans, pretty much made on the fly without benefit of script. The dimwitted cops trying in vain to corral such exuberant behavior was done better in "The Hollywood Knights," and just about any other raunchy comedy in the wake of "Porky's." About two reels in we find the nincompoop mayor literally making waves by proclaiming the beach front property as ideal for building condominiums, but nothing much happens until the last 7 minutes, when John Carradine as retired judge Harley Winslow convinces the court that the beach remain public as per the original county charter (just under 3 minutes screen time). As the last of his 7 collaborations with Adamson, it's easily the most innocuous and forgettable, and for the better part of three decades was believed to be a lost film before joining a comprehensive Blu-Ray release in 2020 covering the director's entire catalog.

This is one of the most obscure films of the late and not-so-great low-budget film director Al Adamson. At their best Adamson's films can be fun and moderately entertaining ("Satan's Sadists", "Nurse Sherri"), but at their worst they are unwatchable dreck that would probably violate the Geneva Convention if they were to force POWs to view them. This movie falls somewhere in between.

It's a very atypical Adamson film in that it rather than being a half-assed Western, blaxploitation flick, or incomprehensible monster mash-up, it is instead an even more low-budget version of the late 70's teen films churned out by companies like Crown Pictures and aimed squarely at the drive-in market (i.e. "The Pom Pom Girls", "The Van", "Malibu Beach"). The late 70's always seemed like a cool time to be a teenager and that really comes across in the aforementioned Crown movies or in stuff like "Jailbait Babysitter", but no so much here. Adamson is out of his element (although some might argue he had no element). He lacks even the meager budget of the average Crown picture. And instead of actors like Robert Carradine, Rainbeaux Smith, Susan Player, and Jennifer Ashley, he's saddled with complete unknowns with only a brief cameo by a decrepit John Carradine.

The plot involves s nerdy student who becomes part of the popular crowd after he pulls an end-of-the year prank on the principal. He and his new friends get involved in a campaign to save their local beach from greedy condo developers. There's the usual teen hijinks. There's a couple tricked-out vans. There's a healthy amount of "T", but a definite shortage of "A" (which certainly wouldn't have been the case if Suzie Player or Rainbeaux Smith had been in the cast).

I read a book once about Adamson. He seemed like a colorful characters and he and his group had a lot of fun making films. Watching some of them is a different story though. This would probably be marginally better with a better transfer and a legitimate release (it was a lost film for many years and the version I saw was very rough), but it's definitely not a lost classic.