Summer Dreams: The Story of the Beach Boys (TV 1990)

Dramatization looks at the tumultuous relationship that existed between rock group The Beach Boy's Brian and Dennis Wilson and their father, Murry. It also examines their struggles with drugs and alcohol.

Director:

Michael Switzer

Writers:

Steven Gaines (book), Charles Rosin

Stars:

Bruce Greenwood, Greg Kean, Arlen Dean Snyder

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruce Greenwood	...	Dennis Wilson
Greg Kean	...	Brian Wilson
Arlen Dean Snyder	...	Murry
Casey Sander	...	Mike Love
Bo Foxworth	...	Carl Wilson
Linda Dona	...	Karen Lamm
Laura Leigh Hughes
Wendy Foxworth	...	Marilyn Wilson (as Wendy Kaplan)
Dorothy Dells	...	Audree Wilson
Andrew Myler	...	Al Jardine
William Jones	...	Bill (as J. Bill Jones)
Billy Vera	...	Sal
Robert Lee	...	Bruce Johnston / Heroes and Villains
Maya Lebenzon	...	Crystal
Kelly Bratten	...	Tinda

Storyline

This biopic chronicles the continuing saga of the Beach Boys from 1961 to 1985. Mainly focuses on the Beach Boys resident wildman Dennis Wilson and in a slightly less capacity big brother Brian Wilson.

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Plot Keywords:

based on book | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Heroes and Villains

Company Credits

Production Co:

Leonard Hill Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During the scene that amalgamates the story of the recording of Pet Sounds and Smile, Brian Wilson suggests to Mike Love that if he doesn't like the music then he can "collaborate with Pop on The Many Moods of Murry Wilson." The Many Moods of Murry Wilson was an album of schmaltzy instrumentals that the Wilson Brothers' father released in 1967, which includes two instrumentals written by Murry's plumber friend, a remake of The Beach Boys' "The Warmth of The Sun," and Beach Boy Al Jardine's "Italia," among others.

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Goofs

The movie depicts Carl Wilson, Brian Wilson, Bruce Johnston, and Mike Love singing "God Only Knows" live in the studio with the musicians. In reality, Brian Wilson (and most music producers) never records "live" - he has the instrumental track recorded and perfected first, then later overdubs the vocals; this was definitely the case with "God Only Knows." Also, Mike Love does not appear on "God Only Knows;" the background vocal that Mike is shown laying down in the movie was in reality provided by Brian Wilson.

User Reviews

Certainly no good vibrations

I saw this film a couple of years ago and being a Beach Boys fan, i was hoping the film would be a half decent biography. But as soon as they finish "God Only Knows" the film just becomes boring. It hardly documents on Brian's health problems and his road to recovery with the help of Dr. Eugene Landy, and it focuses on Dennis' involvement with Charlie Manson a bit too much. I just think it is too brief and it is hard to watch with interest when the songs finish. The film could have been so much better if they had gone more in depth and brightened it up with more songs. So much happened in the Beach Boys career that wasn't even shown in the film.