Shoot the curl, man! Three hotshot surfers from Malibu hang-ten down in Honolulu; all find the usual quota of romance, teen competition, and gnarly waves. Director Don Taylor does competent work (as usual) and he gives the surf-sand-&-suntans material a little kick. Unfortunately, all the back-projection gives the film a cheesy, dopey look, which is incongruous to the seriousness with which it takes the sport of surfing. The youthful, beaming cast (most in their prime) are certainly a great drawing card, and Fabian, Tab Hunter, a blonde Shelley Fabares, Barbara Eden, Susan Hart, and surly Jim Mitchum all look terrific. An instant hit at drive-ins circa 1964, the movie features gorgeous location footage, but also a corny, unnecessary voice-over narration and far too much moony-eyed boy-girl drama. ** from ****
18 Reviews
Better than average surfer melodrama
funkyfry30 October 2002
Good time parties and excellent surfing footage, plus a better than average script (involving most of the usual beach melodrama, except without the jealousy of AIP's beachers). The leads are all good looking, reasonably mature dialogue and a well-shared spread of characterization making them seem more mature and real than most beach "kids". Of course, many modern day fans of beach movies are looking only for derisive laughs, so they should probably look elsewhere -- because this is a more heartfelt, less light film.
Could have shown the way for some new stars -- but this hollywood brat club got mostly passed over.
Could have shown the way for some new stars -- but this hollywood brat club got mostly passed over.
Fabian the Italian Surfer
ptb-83 January 2006
Am I to believe this film was written by someone called Josephine Napoleon? (Check the credits!). Then shouldn't it be set in Noumea not Hawaii? Oh ha-ha. In late 1964 my local cinema, The Empire Theatre ran this double feature...and I ask you to imagine the behavior among the teens present: RIDE THE WILD SURF + AND GOD CREATED WOMAN. Nothing like some French Art-house Brigitte Bardot to wet the, er, appetites of the surf crowd. Now on DVD RIDE THE WILD SURF plays well for a 40 year old surf film that tries to offer good surfing footage among the drama. I was pleasantly surprised at the well matched stunt footage to the cast (stunt surfers who actually looked like the actor..and wearing identical togs) but, oh dear, that back projection in the actors surfing scenes on the water..... (waving their arms about whilst swaying etc) ...still it all makes now-days for quaint fun. In Oz cinema audiences roar with laughter at scenes of American surfers sitting on their boards, arguing in dead flat water.. then some dude yells "Wave" and out of nowhere comes a gigantic set of pipeline breakers shot in some other country. This happens in this film and later in Big Wednesday from 1978. In fact these two films are very much alike with their three surf buddies storyline, the "Bear" guru board shaper guy (here called "Phil") and last reel big wave accidents and dramas. The opening of RIDE THE WILD SURF is a lame affair with dull tinny music over 16mm outtakes and TV style titling, but after a few minutes the film swings into gear and allows the three love interest gals to pick up the credibility in the acting stakes. Fabian is in believable shape for an Italian surfer (!) and each of the girls are 60s cute and rom-an-tic. Hawaiian locations are good and the usual Elvis movie family dramas are roped in for another try. See Robert Mitchum's son Jim play someone called Eskimo who wears bee stripe board shorts! (He's the taciturn bad dude)....
DUDE ~ Where's the Beach!?
triassic419 April 2004
RIDE THE WILD SURF remains as one of my very favorite 'surf/beach' genre films (notable others: BLUE CRUSH, BIG WEDNESDAY, the GIDGET series, the Avalon/Funnicello BEACH movies, ALOHA SUMMER, Bruce Brown's ENDLESS SUMMER films ~ and hey ... you could even include Nickelodeon TV's popular ROCKET POWER animated series into this mix!). Although several of the fore-mentioned are documentary-style films, they are nonetheless true 'surf' Classics which are a MUST to own/see and should NOT be ignored. RIDE THE WILD SURF was well-stocked with talented actors (see the Credits) and although these actors never truly dared the 'heavies' at Waimea Bay ... only the laughable (yet fun) stationary studio boards with backdrop waves) ... there are quite a few great stock footage scenes of enjoyable, real surfing! The plot was surprisingly more of an adult oriented drama than a juvenile film, therefore adding a bit more realism to the (albeit thin) storyline. The production values were fine and the soundtrack was stoked with some great JAN & DEAN tunes!! True to 60's standards, there is no GORE, NUDITY, PROFANITY-LACED-DIALOGUE, or EXTREME VIOLENCE - so it can be enjoyed by the entire family. I really cannot find fault with this film and highly recommend it for your film library! Now, if only COLUMBIA PICTURES would get off it's corporate ass and release this little gem onto DVD (that's a big HINT)! Until such time, you will have to suffice by renting a VHS copy from your local Blockbuster - the film has almost never been seen on TV (very possibly once - many years ago on AMC-TV). Until then try some of the films listed above and you WON'T be disappointed! 'Til then ... SURF ON, KAHUNA!
Love And Waves
bkoganbing12 July 2011
Ride The Wild Surf once again proves my notion that it is impossible to make a bad film in and about Hawaii the place is that beautiful. The story is not Academy Award stuff, but it's an easy to take story of three surfers who come to Hawaii to challenge what the film says are the best and most dangerous waves in the world.
The three guys are Fabian, Tab Hunter, and Peter Brown and in addition to waves the guys also find love on the island. Fabian is a young hotshot who rubs the rest the wrong way and they love seeing him wipe out in the first tests. His attitude also is a big impediment with a romance between him and Shelley Fabares.
Tab Hunter falls in love with Hawaii and Susan Hart and just wants to stay. But Sue's mom has a grudge against surfer bums, she married one who up and left her. She's not about to let that happen to her little girl.
And kookie Barbara Eden thinks that Peter Brown is a big old square and a poser. That's not going to get him anywhere and to prove her wrong he does some dangerous and foolhardy things. All these guys are looking to knock off champion surfer Jim Mitchum.
Also in the cast is Australian Olympic swimmer Murray Rose who would probably say that the waves on Bondi in his native country are more dangerous than anything Hawaii has to offer.
The title song sung by Jan & Dean will stick with you for some time after you watch Ride The Wild Surf. I think if you like beautiful people in bathing suits you'll enjoy this film.
The three guys are Fabian, Tab Hunter, and Peter Brown and in addition to waves the guys also find love on the island. Fabian is a young hotshot who rubs the rest the wrong way and they love seeing him wipe out in the first tests. His attitude also is a big impediment with a romance between him and Shelley Fabares.
Tab Hunter falls in love with Hawaii and Susan Hart and just wants to stay. But Sue's mom has a grudge against surfer bums, she married one who up and left her. She's not about to let that happen to her little girl.
And kookie Barbara Eden thinks that Peter Brown is a big old square and a poser. That's not going to get him anywhere and to prove her wrong he does some dangerous and foolhardy things. All these guys are looking to knock off champion surfer Jim Mitchum.
Also in the cast is Australian Olympic swimmer Murray Rose who would probably say that the waves on Bondi in his native country are more dangerous than anything Hawaii has to offer.
The title song sung by Jan & Dean will stick with you for some time after you watch Ride The Wild Surf. I think if you like beautiful people in bathing suits you'll enjoy this film.
Remember The Late Movies On TV In The 1970s?
sundayatdusk-9785925 March 2024
Tubi had this movie and it certainly brought back memories. I watched it a couple of times when I was a teenager at like 3AM. This was before cable TV and there were only three VHF channels and one UHF. One of the VHF channels would show late movies all night long on Friday and Saturday nights. (Two channels would alternate doing so.)
The story is more of an adult beach movie, not one of those totally silly Annette and Frankie movies. Three guys have come to Hawaii to surf, and all three apparently need a change in their lives. They, of course, meet three girls who do change their lives, so this is one of those movies where girls are only romantic partners. There are no girl surfers. (Sorry, Gidget.)
In addition, there appears to be only one Hawaiian surfer. (Sorry, only white American guys and one Australian.) This was a 1960s movie. There are lots of great surfing shots on some really huge waves. Viewers do learn some real stuff about surfing, as well as see some fake stuff. Jan & Dean's hit "Ride The Wild Surf" is played at the end.
P. S. For a look at surfing in Hawaii from an Hawaiian point of view, watch the ESPN "30 for 30" documentary "Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau" (2013).
The story is more of an adult beach movie, not one of those totally silly Annette and Frankie movies. Three guys have come to Hawaii to surf, and all three apparently need a change in their lives. They, of course, meet three girls who do change their lives, so this is one of those movies where girls are only romantic partners. There are no girl surfers. (Sorry, Gidget.)
In addition, there appears to be only one Hawaiian surfer. (Sorry, only white American guys and one Australian.) This was a 1960s movie. There are lots of great surfing shots on some really huge waves. Viewers do learn some real stuff about surfing, as well as see some fake stuff. Jan & Dean's hit "Ride The Wild Surf" is played at the end.
P. S. For a look at surfing in Hawaii from an Hawaiian point of view, watch the ESPN "30 for 30" documentary "Hawaiian: The Legend of Eddie Aikau" (2013).
An Action-Drama
Uriah4317 October 2014
Three friends from Malibu named "Jody Wallis" (Fabian), "Chase Colton" (Peter Brown) and "Steamer Lane" (Tab Hunter) decide to go to Hawaii and test their skills against the best surfers in the world. Once they get there they realize that their fellow surfers aren't the only thing they need to worry about as the waves are much bigger than what they're accustomed to in California. And much more dangerous too. They also happen to meet several gorgeous women by the names of "Brie Matthews" (Shelley Fabares), "Augie Poole" (Barbara Eden) and "Lily Kilua" (Sandra Hart). Now, although this film is billed as a comedy I have to say that it honestly wasn't that funny. At least I didn't see much humor in it. If anything it was more of an action-drama movie than anything else. For that reason I was a bit disappointed because this wasn't the type of beach movie I was expecting. But even so it was certainly watchable with the three young ladies mentioned earlier having much to do with that. I rate it as average.
Senior Citizen Surfing
toyguy-315197 August 2022
I don't want to be mean but Barbara Eden, Tab Hunter and numerous others were already in their 30's when this picture was made. This would have been a great Frankie and Annette film keeping Shelley Fabares and those who fit the right age category.
Also, the hair dye jobs are pitiful. Shelley's hair looks like you could reach over and break it off and just what color is Barbara Edens locks?
Some musical numbers would have brightened the storyline. Annette could have performed Pineapple Princess during the Luau and the male ego tension could have been minimized drastically. Bring in the Beach blanket gang and make the big issue that Annette and Shelley want to learn to surf against Frankie and the guys being totally against it it. Otherwise, nice 60's Hawaiian scenery with good surfing footage.
Also, the hair dye jobs are pitiful. Shelley's hair looks like you could reach over and break it off and just what color is Barbara Edens locks?
Some musical numbers would have brightened the storyline. Annette could have performed Pineapple Princess during the Luau and the male ego tension could have been minimized drastically. Bring in the Beach blanket gang and make the big issue that Annette and Shelley want to learn to surf against Frankie and the guys being totally against it it. Otherwise, nice 60's Hawaiian scenery with good surfing footage.
Shooting the Curls
wes-connors13 July 2011
On Hawaii's north shore, surfer boys Fabian (as Jody Wallis), Tab Hunter (as Ralph "Steamer" Lane), and Peter Brown (as Chase Colton) compete see who can catch the biggest wave. They find respective romances with beach girls Shelley Fabares (as Brie Matthews), Susan Hart (as Lily Kilua), and Barbara Eden (as Augusta "Augie" Poole). They are all in terrific shape. "Ride the Wild Surf" features some genuine surfing footage, which unfortunately matches very poorly with the rest of the film. It's interesting to see four of the stars with unexpected hair colorings - Hunter, Brown, Fabares and Eden - Mr. Hunter's must have washed out as many scenes reveal his naturally blond locks. Future "Dark Shadows" star Roger Davis and Robert's son James Mitchum have featured roles. Jan and Dean's excellent title song is played over the closing credits.
***** Ride the Wild Surf (8/5/64) Don Taylor ~ Fabian, Tab Hunter, Peter Brown, Shelley Fabares
***** Ride the Wild Surf (8/5/64) Don Taylor ~ Fabian, Tab Hunter, Peter Brown, Shelley Fabares
Loads of fun
RNMorton9 February 2002
Surfing's answer to Red Line 7000. Fabian looks to outlast his buddies at the annual Waimea Bay surfing blowout on the North Shore of Oahu. A great period piece filmed at the same time as the Beach Blanket movies, but with less comedy and romance and more emphasis on competition. As already noted by reviewers, lots of great surfing shots mixed with laughable (almost campy) shots of the stars in lifeless waters. Still, stars take it seriously. Loads of fun if you like this sort of thing.
Best of the surf movies
wnb25 December 1998
"Ride the Wild Surf" is really two movies, two great movies. One is a beach party fun, boy meets girl, campy treat. The other is a strong tast of balance of bravado and self doubt one feels fulfilling a dangerous dream. This is by far the best of the surf movies. Not a documentary like "The Endless Summer" but a movie, like "Big Wednesday" or even "Gidgot." It plays smooth and sweet with it's young cast flying to Hawaii, surfing, dancing and finding love. The dialog is at the same time over the top corn ball, witty sharp and beatnick hip. All's well till the big waves hit and the cast turns to try their hand at Waimea. Then tempers flair, heroes doubt themselves and some just throw in the towel. Even after all these years, it still captures just what it's like to fly to Hawaii and tackle the North Shore for the first time. With some of the best '60 surf footage ever shot, "Ride The Wild Surf" is the best of the surf movies. Unlike Mr Chinn's brother in law, it will not be 'replaced with automation.'
Different from the Frankie and Annette shenanigans
Poseidon-331 January 2002
The opening scenes of this beach & surf film seem like the prototype for early 1980's gay porn! Three cute guys looking at the ocean while cheap music plays and then deciding to get in the car together to change into their swimsuits. Only this movie steers clear of any sordidness and the guys actually get out of the car and catch a wave! Where was Jerry's "Springer-Break" when ya needed it?! Everything is swell as the three pieces of meat (Porterhouse Hunter with his seasoned body, Sirloin Strip Brown with his lean, low-fat cut and Ribeye Fabian with his adorable baby fat cheeks--both sets!) paddle out to the ocean amidst a bevy of tan surfer boys. Unfortunately, it isn't long before some pesky girls enter the picture and spoil all the fun. The film's main goal (aside from attempting to add a little seriousness and reality to the beach movie genre) seems to be to switch everyone from their previously established hair color! Tab's hair is light brown instead of blonde, Fabares' is platinum blonde instead of brown (she is half-Scandinavian in the flick so she has to be an almost albino blonde?!), Eden ("Jeannie" for cryin' out loud) is a dark auburn and Brown lightens his natural brown hair and winds up with a shocking. brassy, golden-yellow 'do. Bizarre! (It has since been revealed by Hunter that the guys' hair was changed to match their stunt doubles' hues.) Surprisingly, the surfing footage is pretty decent--especially for it's time. The horror is that interspersed with some great footage featuring stunt doubles, there are rear-projection shots of the leads standing in a studio with water splashed on them as they're teetering back and forth!! Sometimes they actually carry on conversations while "riding" the wild surf! Hilarious! It is interesting to note that the trio of surfer dudes are presented as peers of college age. In truth, one was 21, but the other two were 29 and 33 (!) years old! But they all look pretty darn cute in their suits and with their now-politically incorrect tans. Fabares unexpectedly resembles Sandra Dee very much with her new hair and even sounds like her several times. Look for her first scene in which her headlights are on......HIGH BEAMS! Also on board is Robert Mitchum's son Jim who resembles his father so much it almost seems like Bob popped in for a cameo! It's a pleasant, occasionally interesting, always attractive film which depicts a time that is gone forever. Check it out!
Best campy surf movie out there.
unisphere-568-53140129 December 2012
This is a great film, much better than the other campy beach movies. Good story, good music and a young Barbara Eden.....yahoo. Beautiful Hawaiian scenery with huge waves that any surfer would drool over are prominent throughout the film. The story is set around a surfing contest of who will be bravest and toughest to ride the wild surf, the biggest waves in the world that come in only once in a long while. The vintage look and sound of the movie will bring you to the 1960's surf scene where girls look cute in bikinis and the guys are all tan and muscular. Even though you can easily spot the studio filmed scenes, the real footage of surfers tackling giant waves is truly exciting. After watching this movie you are going to want to by a Willy's and a long board and hit the beach. Aloha!
Very good cute 60's surf movie!
brownish3319 June 2011
i am 24 and i haven't seen almost any surf movies from the 60's so this was my first one. i really enjoyed it and i hope to see more of these kinds of movies! i really wish they would go back to making cute beach movies like this nowadays, almost all movies today have way too much cursing, nudity, over the top blood and gore, sex scenes, etc. you don't need all that in a surf movie! this was such a joy to watch, not only Barbara eden from Jeanie but 2 more other beautiful gals, Shelly fabres aka the cute girl from the Donna reed show who i would think is the "main" girl, followed by Barbara and then by some black haired beauty that i don't think i'd seen before. and of course there are 3 "hunks" for the girls to get and all this male ego drama with the surf competitions. one boy goes to school full time, one boy works full time, and one doesn't work or go to school, he just surfs all day. one by one they meet these fabulously gorgeous girls and it takes off from there. it was actually really good and so much fun to watch this and even though the guys were obviously in great shape with there tanned lean bodies for the girls in the audience, the 3 girls are just SO HOT! i was so drooling at Shelly and Barbara, it was like heaven! i loved Shelly's innocence and sweetness, ah if only there were girls like that in todays world! this movie really seems to hearken back to a day when girls were girls and guys were guys. today we live in a world it seems devoid of real men who enjoy being men and real women who really enjoy being women. its really a sad state of affairs, and i blame womens lib and all that rubbish for that. but this film was so nice and pleasant and wish the world was just as pleasant. ah, only a movie like this could they make it seem so easy to meet girls like this! girls and boys who really want to fall in love and not just some one night stand. it was adorable and i guess thats the kind of romance i hope to find one day. i know its a stretch but still! anyway, other notable appearances were Robert mitchums son who looks SO MUCH like his dad its not even funny! also it was so funny to see Roger Davis, who i had been watching quite recently as Peter on the "Dark Shadows" TV show. and a lot of familiar faces that i couldn't quite pinpoint, like that dark haired girls mother. all in all, with the very funny "back projection" surfing and the dialog, its so very 60's and i truly love it! i would recommend this for all the girls and the boys out there who love surf movies without the sex drugs and violence you see in todays movies. i wish i grew up back then!
Shelley Fabares in a bikini and great surfing footage make this a must see!
RogerMooreTheBestBond16 May 2009
Warning: Spoilers
This is probably the only beach surfer movie I have ever seen that did not have a lot of comedy in it. It has some by Barbara Eden, but there is a lot more drama involved. The cast is top notch: Fabian, Peter Brown, Tab Hunter, Shelley Fabares, Barbara Eden & Susan Hart. Interesting enough Michael Ansara(Barbara's husband) does the narrative of the surfer's life. I will say I really liked the entire cast. The story has the three guys going to Hawaii to catch the big wave in a surfing contest at Wayamaya Bay(hope I spelled it right). The theme song by Jan & Dean talks about riding the wild surf. They all meet their mates early in the film. Fabian & Shelley, Peter & Barbara and Tab & Susan. Early on the guys meet the locals who don't respect them at all. Fabian meets Shelley about 18 minutes into the film. She has her hair dyed platinum blonde and she looks sexy. She also has on a bra that makes her chest point straight out. Shelley was 20 at the time and she would get to show how much she had grown up from her Donna Reed days. She now has the body of a woman and it's near perfect. We get a good look at her body in many bikini's. Early on Shelley wants a career and Fabian just wants to be a surfer. The next day the guys surf as Shelley & Barbara show up. Shelley is wearing a blue & white two piece swimsuit. Who cares about Barbara. Shelley's body is hard to look away from. The next day there is some awesome surf footage at the banzai pipeline. Shelley has a quick scene in a white bikini looking thru binoculars. Nice bikini! She also has a quick scene in a flowered bikini. Again nice body! After some partying and dramatic moments with the couples, we get to the surfing competition. There are some more great surfing shots along with Shelley in another flowered bikini. My favorite bikini she wears in the whole film. There are a lot of nice shots showing her perfectly tanned body. Fabian ends up winning the competition and he decides to go back to school. Solid movie with a little too much drama. Shelley Fabares is the hottest bikini wearing woman of the 60's and the surfing footage is second to none. I highly recommend this film.
Surfing cut scene
dannygt10918 December 2007
The surf scenes are typical of the era. Back lot close-ups cut to real action scenes. Check out Greg Noll in the surfing cut scenes. He's in his signature black and white stripped shorts. I can't positively id red & yellow shorts; maybe Pat Curren, but that's speculation.
Only other thing I can't figure out about this movie is why does Jeanie (sorry, couldn't resist) think it's a good reason to purchase a rocket taller than her. That can't be a good idea. But, I guess she's wearing the proper protective bee-keeper suit. From same scene: "No one's allowed on the firing line with out an extinguisher (Hands them a cocktail)"
Only other thing I can't figure out about this movie is why does Jeanie (sorry, couldn't resist) think it's a good reason to purchase a rocket taller than her. That can't be a good idea. But, I guess she's wearing the proper protective bee-keeper suit. From same scene: "No one's allowed on the firing line with out an extinguisher (Hands them a cocktail)"
Big Wiamea Requires Paddling Ability
mikej-44 December 2001
These guys really need to learn to paddle their boards correctly. They really look lame "out there" when they are paddling into the lineup. Occasionally, you will see the real surfers in the stock footage who are knee paddling their Wiamea guns unlike the actors who look more like midwestern tourists learning to surf at Waikiki. Tab Hunter is, as always, awesome in a romantic lead role; he's just so natural with the opposite sex. Why didn't her mother just come out and say it: I don't want you having a gay boyfriend; it will cause you nothing but grief! The camp value of Tab Hunter resucitates this rag doll of a film after a trip over the falls at Wiamea. There is also stock footage of real surfers like Greg Noll (Eskimo's double) and Mickey Dora (Jody Wallis' double). Believe me, they didn't handle themselves like the actors did when out in 25 foot plus Wiamea.
great film
blakduke17 September 1999
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