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

Director:

Michael Switzer

Writers (WGA):

Steven Gaines (book)
Charles Rosin (written by)

Release Date:

29 April 1990 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Based On Book | Based On Novel

Cast

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 Kaplan	...	Marilyn Wilson
Dorothy Dells	...	Audree Wilson
Andrew Myler	...	Al Jardine
J. Bill Jones	...	Bill
Billy Vera	...	Sal
Robert Lee	...	Bruce Johnston / Heroes and Villains
Maya Lebenzon	...	Crystal
Kelly Bratten	...	Tinda

Also Known As:

Heroes and Villains

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Company:

Leonard Hill Films

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.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: In the movie, Brian Wilson is portrayed as obese, bearded, and refusing to leave his bed as early as 1967, listening to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band on headphones all day. In reality, despite his Smile project being scrapped and even though he wasn't as involved in the Beach Boys as he had been before, Brian was still very much a part of the group, very actively writing, producing, and performing on the records until the mid-1970s.

Really worth a watch

As an avid film buff - I've got to say that despite "Summer Dreams" being a tv movie, it is of excellent quality. The acting, in particular Bruce Greenwood in the role of the late Dennis Wilson, is superb and the way in which the story is told is intriguing, touching and real without being over hollywood-ized. Summer Dreams is perhaps the best tv movie I have ever seen. As matter of fact I have had it on video since it first aired. in 1990...quite a long time. If you ever catch it in the tv listings, give it a shot -- it is well worth watching.