Back to the Beach is a comedy film released in 1987, directed by Lyndall Hobbs. The movie stars Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello, who were popular teen idols in the 1960s and appeared in many beach movies during that time. It is a self-aware parody of their earlier work.
The movie starts with Frankie and Annette, who are now a married couple with two teenage children, moving from Ohio to California to visit their daughter, Sandi, who is living with her boyfriend. Sandi tries to keep her relationship a secret from her parents, but they soon find out.
Meanwhile, Frankie, who used to be a surfing champion in his teens, is surprised to see that the beach culture has changed a lot since his time. He meets Connie, who was a fan of his back in the day and has now opened a night club called 'The Haunted Shack' on the beach. The club features live performances from old-time rock stars, including Dick Dale and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Things start to go wrong when Sandi's boyfriend becomes involved with a group of punk surfers, who are led by a tough guy named Potato Bug. Frankie's son, Bobby, also gets involved with the punk surfers and takes part in a surfing duel with Potato Bug and his gang. The duel is a big event, with many people coming to watch, including some familiar faces from the 1960s beach movies.
Throughout the movie, Frankie and Annette deal with the challenges of growing older, facing their own insecurities and the changes in their relationship. The movie ends on a positive note, with the family coming together and rediscovering the joy of being at the beach.
Overall, Back to the Beach is a fun, nostalgic movie that pokes fun at the beach movie genre while also celebrating it. It features catchy music, colorful costumes, and a lot of humor. It is a must-watch for fans of Frankie and Annette, as well as anyone who enjoys a good comedy.
