The Beach Boys Movies

A 6 volume rock 'n' roll video series with Volume 6 featuring artists Frankie Lyman, The Five Satins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Beach Boys, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson. ~ Rovi

In 1964, the Beach Boys were at the height of their fame and took part in an all-star rock & roll package show that was broadcast by closed-circuit television to theaters around the country. However, while filmed copies of the other performances survived, the Beach Boys' set was thought to be lost forever. Rediscovered in 1998, this DVD release features the group's classic lineup -- Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson, Dennis Wilson, Al Jardine, and Mike Love -- playing their biggest early hits, including "Fun, Fun, Fun," "Surfer Girl," "In My Room," "Shut Down," and "Little Deuce Coupe." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Beatles are coming! The Beatles are coming! Or so the members of the Alpha Beta sorority who are trying to raise $10,000 during Spring Break to save their sorority house believe. When the Fab Four do not show, the ingenious girls must create a passable imitation by imitating them themselves. The Beach Boys also appear in this film with an especially choice scene of Brian Wilson singing around a campfire. Songs in this musical comedy include: "Leave Me Alone," "It's Gotta Be You," "I Don't Want to Be a Loser" (sung by Lesley Gore), "Lonely Sea, La Bamba" (performed by the Crickets), "Girls On the Beach," and "Little Honda" (sung by the Beach Boys). ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

The American beauty-contest ritual is skewered by screenwriter Jerry Belson and director Michael Ritchie in Smile. The film takes place during an annual pageant in Santa Rosa, CA. The event is supervised by local mover and shaker Brenda DiCarlo (Barbara Feldon), to whom the contest is the most important thing on earth. Nothing -- not even the violent backlash of her neglected husband, Andy (Nicholas Pryor) -- is allowed to interfere with her pet project. Choreographer Tommy French (Michael Kidd), outwardly nasty and cynical, takes money out of his own pocket to insure the safety of the contestants as they parade down a rickety stage runway; chief judge "Big Bob" Freelander (Bruce Dern) discovers that his son is a budding voyeur, information which leads to a silly "politically correct" consequence; and the various contestants scheme to upstage one another through a variety of means (one girl puts Vaseline on her teeth to assure a gleaming smile). Among the contestants are such stars-to-be as Colleen Camp, Denise Nickerson, Annette O'Toole, and Melanie Griffith. Though not a hit itself, Smile has developed a fervent cult following, which led to a Broadway musical version of the property in 1986, with songs by Marvin Hamlisch. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this comedy, Gidget, the all-American surfer girl, has grown up, married Moondoggie, and become a travel agent. She and he, who have been married for seven years, are experiencing marital problems due to their careers and monetary pressure. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Trying to put the 1960s into a documentary is difficult at best, but this video depicts the '60s through the music of the Beatles and through news milestones like the Vietnam War and Neil Armstrong's walk on the moon. ~ Rovi

Hal Linden hosts this musical special and salute to the American way of freedom and liberty. Many special guest stars appear in this video, including performances by The Beach Boys, Tony Danza, John Denver, and Martin Sheen. Also featured are Lee Greenwood, best known for "God Bless the USA", Curtis Mayfield, the immortal Woody Guthrie, The Young Rascals, and footage of other performers. Robert Guillaume, Stanley Kramer, and Mike Love also appear. ~ Leslie Birdwell, Rovi

Ed Sullivan's variety show was in its day the most popular variety show on television. Many of the world's most loved musical artists got their big break in America playing on Sullivan's show. This release compiles memorable musical moments from that show dating from the late sixties. Creedence Clearwater Revival, he Carpenters, The Beach Boys, Tommy James & the Shondells, The Jackson 5, The Supremes, and others perform their biggest hits. The DVD release offers discographies for some of the artists. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Wax up those longboards and head for the shore to experience a nostalgic celebration of the sun, sand, and surf as The Beach Boys offer seven classic tunes guaranteed to transport viewers back to a time when the mission to catch the perfect wave was all that really mattered. With songs like "Barbara Ann", "Surfer Girl", "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow", and "Long Tall Texan", even the most frigid of winter days won't be able to hold back the warm rays of the sun. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi