User reviews

MALIBU was a trashy ,all-star cast, potboiler made-for-TV miniseries, originally shown on ABC in 1983 which told the story of young couple (William Atherton, Susan Dey)from the midwest or somewhere, who, because of his job, move to Malibu, California for one fateful summer and the typical California beach bunnies and bozos they encounter while there. Ann Jillian played Gail Hessian, an ambitious TV reporter who wants to get an exclusive interview with a wealthy industrialist (James Coburn, in his usual classy turn)and will do anything, including have an affair with the man, to get her story, despite the fact that he's married (Eva Marie Saint). Kim Novak, still doing the overage sex kitten bit, plays the real estate agent who helps Atherton and Dey find their house and has the dirt on everyone in Malibu. George Hamilton is perfectly cast as a suave, well-tanned con artist. Valerie Perrine plays a wealthy divorcée who has a brief fling with Atherton. Richard Mulligan is heartbreaking as a struggling screenwriter trying to keep his ditzy mistress (Jenilee Harrison) happy while trying to court the attention of a famous producer (Anthony Newley) who he wants to read his latest screenplay. Chad Everett plays a tennis pro who falls for Dey and convinces her that he loves her even though he will never leave his wife (played by the director's wife, Bridget Hanley). Sun,sand, surf, sex, sin, everything you can ask for in a four hour romp on the beach. Nothing new or special here, but the cast is game and if you put your brain in check for four hours, there is fun and entertainment to be had here. It ain't GONE WITH THE WIND, but it's a lot of fun. I even had it on tape for awhile but lent it to a friend and never got it back. I'm still kicking myself.

This ABC mini series film collected a lot of well known names set around the plush Malibu community, all the players do fine work with the biggest star being Kim Novak,, but also had Oscar Winners James Coburn and the Eva Marie Saint, and other big marquee names such as Valerie Perrine and Troy Donahue, along with Chad Everett, Susan Dey, William Atherton in this series. While all the stars doe fine work and contribute fine cameos, I thought Kim Novak did the best work in this Film in a rather tricky to play part. Troy Donahue once so big a star at Warners has as slight but intriguing part in this film.

I thought Bill Atherton had a fine future in films. What happened to Bill?

I saw this made-for TV affair around 21 years ago,then a few more times in recent years.I kind of liked it, the breathtaking scenery, the wealthy lifestyles, the tennis whites.James Coburn with his usual grace.Ah,....but the main attraction to this ordeal is the sexy, feminine, barefoot, beautiful Jenilee Harrison.She plays the "Dumb Blonde", and it is not even a large part.But she stole my attention and stole the show.

Most of the characters are sophisticated,well-heeled,and your textbook upper class types of which would reside in a wealthy beach-front area.Harrison to me was just gorgeous, sensual, and the typical "plaything" for an older Sugar Daddy.There are some emotional scenes, and more then a fair of drama, but also subtle bits of humor.Again, this was Jenilee's showcase, even though she was far from the centerpiece in the plot.