Beach movies that made waves
Surf's up! It's time to revisit the most memorable films set at the seashore.
While many selections in the beach movie genre haven't successfully weathered the test of time (sorry Leo, "The Beach" is still a wipe-out), other titles have managed to avoiding eroding into obscurity and stand as sunny reminders about the best parts of summer.
Before heading out of town for the Fourth of July weekend, coast through our list of the greatest beach movies ever made.
By: Ken Lombardi
From Here to Eternity (1952)
The most famous beach scene in cinematic history can be found in Fred Zinneman's 1953 World War II-era drama, "From Here to Eternity."
The film takes place in 1941 Hawaii and follows three soldiers (Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift and Frank Sinatra) in the months leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Few kissing scenes could rival Lancaster and Deborah Kerr embracing on the sands of Oahu as the waves rush around them. Hollywood legend has it that the scene was not scripted but rather improvised at the last minute thanks to an idea from Zinneman.
"Gidget" (1959)
She's the one that started it all. "Gidget" was Hollywood's first successful attempt at bringing national exposure to the then-burgeoning California surfing culture.
Sandra Dee played the title role -- an upbeat teen who buys a surfboard and takes up the sport in the hopes of getting closer to her crush, Moondoogie (James Darren).
Based on the novel by Frederick Kohner, "Gidget" is still fondly remembered 55 years after it was first released. The film's success sparked two sequels, a TV series starring Sally Field and countless imitators.
"Beach Blanket Bingo" (1965)
No two actors are more closely associated with the "beach party movie" genre than Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello.
During the early-to-mid-1960s, in the wake of "Gidget," American International Pictures released five films with Avalon and Funicello playing care-free teens (although both actors were actually in their twenties at the time of shooting) who can't get enough fun in the sun.
"Beach Blanket Bingo" -- the fourth installment in the "Frankie and Annette" film series -- has all the best elements of a "beach party movie." There's a damsel in distress (future "Dynasty" star Linda Evans), a touch of the supernatural with a mermaid named Lorelai, random musical breaks (briefly parodied in 1996's "That Thing You Do"), zany stunts involving sky-diving surfers and lots of cameos from the likes of Don Rickles and Buster Keaton.
Avalon and Funicello would later reprise their roles -- this time as husband-and-wife -- in 1987's "Back to the Beach," which focused on their daughter (Lori Loughlin from "Full House") and her group of friends.
In 2013, the Disney Channel TV musical "Teen Beach Movie" served as a nostalgic send-up of the genre made popular by Avalon and Funicello.
"The Endless Summer" (1966)
While Gidget, Frankie and Annette are often looked at as light-hearted popcorn fare, "The Endless Summer" carries far more gravitas.
Filmmaker Bob Brown narrates this timeless documentary about two expert surfers, Michael Hynson and Robert August, as they go on a global adventure in search of the perfect wave.
Brown's documentary helped popularize the sport even further and brought wider attention to premiere surfing destinations around the world, such as South Africa.
"The Endless Summer" still resonates with today's pop culture. The film's theatrical poster (seen here) remains a bestseller and can be found on the walls of college dorms across the nation.
"Jaws" (1975)
While other films on our list made viewers want to jump into the ocean, Steven Spielberg's classic thriller had just about everybody running for the dunes.
Richard Dreyfus, Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw starred as an unlikely trio on the hunt for a great white eating up tourists and locals alike around Amity Island.
Based on the Jersey Shore shark attacks of 1916, Spielberg shot almost all of the film on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts.
"Jaws" became the first blockbuster ever and set a trend for others to come, although beach communities around the country reported a decrease in tourism following the film's release.
To this day, the film comes into the minds of many before going out for a swim.
"Pauline at the Beach" (1983)
Acclaimed director Eric Rohmer made a name for himself in the 1960s as a prominent member of the French New Wave, but it wasn't until 1983 when he released one of his most celebrated works, "Pauline a la plage" ("Pauline at the Beach").
Marion (Arielle Dombasle) takes her teenaged-cousin Pauline (Amanda Langlet) to the Atlantic coastal city of Granville for a fall vacation. During their holiday, each woman finds love and heartbreak in this intelligent examination of human nature.
"North Shore" (1987)
As the title suggests, this totally rad film is set around Hawaii's breathtaking beaches on the island of Oahu, one of the most famous places in the world for surfing.
Matt Adler plays Rick Kane, an Arizona teen who competes professionally while visiting the Aloha State. During his stay, Kane finds love (Nia Peebles) and some killer waves.
Famous real-life surfers like Laird Hamilton have supporting roles in this film that has beautiful scenery and a heartfelt message for every true "soul surfer."
This '80s classic served as the inspiration for the hit 2007 animated film, "Surf's Up" as well as the Teegan and Sara song, "North Shore."
"Point Break" (1991)
It's so bad it's good. Nobody could have predicted how big of a cult hit "Point Break" would become when it first treaded into theaters.
Keanu Reeves played undercover FBI agent Johnny Utah, sent to infiltrate a group of bank-robbing surfers led by Bodhi (Patrick Swayze).
With over-the-top acting, plenty of plot holes and cheesy lines like "Surfing's the source, it can change your life" and "They're traveling on the money, going where the waves are," it may be hard to believe that the film was helmed by Kathryn Bigelow, who later became the Oscar-winning director behind "The Hurt Locker."
But it's that very corniness that has made "Point Break" an endearing hit with die-hard fans all around the world. There's been conventions, a successful stage musical adaptation and a big-screen remake is planned for 2015.
"Cast Away" (2000)
Oh, Wilson. Who can forget Tom Hanks' solitary performance as a FedEx worker trapped on a deserted island?
Hanks scored a best actor Oscar nomination (he had already won twice before for 1993's "Philadelphia" and 1994's "Forrest Gump") for his portrayal of a man who only has the beach, and a beloved volleyball, as his companions.
"The Descendants" (2012)
One of the most poignant films on our list, George Clooney stars as the patriarch of a family from Hawaii coming to terms with life's unexpected tragedies. Clooney's character, Matt King, struggles as a single father of two girls when his wife falls into a coma after a boating accident off the beaches of Waikiki in Honolulu.
Based on a novel from Hawaiian native Kaui Hart Hemmings, "The Descendants" was written by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash, who won a best adapted screenplay Oscar for their work. Maholo to them both.
