The Boatniks *** (1970, Robert Morse, Stefanie Powers, Phil Silvers, Don Ameche, Norman Fell, Mickey Shaughnessy, Wally Cox) – Classic Movie Review 10,704

Director Norman Tokar’s 1970 children’s comedy The Boatniks stars Phil Silvers as wisecracking Harry Simmons, who leads a little gang of clumsily clodhopping jewel thieves (Norman Fell, Mickey Shaughnessy) who have reckoned without heroic young US Coast Guard Ensign Garland (Robert Morse) and his girl Kate Fairchild (Stefanie Powers), an attractive young boat business woman who runs a sailing school.

Likeable people stir up a small wave of easy-going fun from Walt Disney Productions, who uncharacteristically advertised: ‘The Boatniks say “Save water… shower with a friend.”’

The Boatniks offers a rare good star opportunity for Silvers, who makes the most of it, the rest of the cast are friendly and amusing, and the movie is unexpectedly funny in its gentle old-style way.

Arthur Julian’s screenplay is based on a story by Marty Roth.

Also in the cast are Don Ameche, Norman Fell, Mickey Shaughnessy, Wally Cox, Joey Forman, Vito Scotti, Tom Lowell, Bob Hastings, Sammy Jackson, Joe E Ross, Judith Jordan, and Al Lewis.

Stefanie Powers was born on 2 November 1942 in Hollywood.

Robert Morse was born on 18 May 1931 in Newton, Massachusetts.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,704

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