Lifeguard (1976)

Rick is in his 30s, but still works full-time as a lifeguard on the beaches of Los Angeles, California. He enjoys the fun of it, but even more, the silent moments. However, when he meets ... See full summary »

Director:

Daniel Petrie

Writer:

Ron Koslow

Stars:

Sam Elliott, Anne Archer, Stephen Young

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sam Elliott	...	Rick
Anne Archer	...	Cathy
Stephen Young	...	Larry
Parker Stevenson	...	Chris
Kathleen Quinlan	...	Wendy
Sharon Clark	...	Tina (as Sharon Weber)
Steve Burns	...	Machine Gun
Lenka Peterson	...	Mrs. Carlson
George Wallace	...	Mr. Carlson (as George D. Wallace)
Paul Kent	...	Jack Gilmore
Susan Anderson	...	Sandy
Beatrice Colen	...	Judy
Linda Gillen	...	Dell
Jody Gilbert	...	Woman
Russ Marin	...	Voyeur

Storyline

Rick is in his 30s, but still works full-time as a lifeguard on the beaches of Los Angeles, California. He enjoys the fun of it, but even more, the silent moments. However, when he meets his divorced high school girlfriend and her five-year-old son at their fifteen year class reunion, he considers switching to a more "serious" job.

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Plot Keywords:

lifeguard | porsche | california | high school reunion | class reunion | 

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Taglines:

Every girl's summer dream

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 July 1976 (USA)

Also Known As:

El salvavidas

Filming Locations:

Torrance Beach at Burnout, Torrance, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The songs "Alfie" and "Wives and Lovers", by Burt Bacharach, and "Moon River" by Henry Mancini, are played during the high school reunion scene.

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Quotes

Rick Carlson: I love to throw bastards like that off my beach.

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Connections

References The Endless Summer (1966)

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Soundtracks

Wives and Lovers
(uncredited)
Music by Burt Bacharach

User Reviews

A Heartfelt Character Study

Is life-guarding a grown-up job? What does it mean to be a grownup, anyway? Who decides how people should spend their lives?

These are among the questions examined in this beautifully written character study of a man who has decisions to make.

They're not issues that will change the world, but the kind of small decisions we wrestle with every day. What is really important? Why do we do what we do? Who influences how we behave? Should we conform because that's what people want of us?

I remember once in TV Guide an ad that showed a buffed-out Sam Elliott with the caption, "He's every woman's dream--Lifeguard!" But this film has nothing to do with looks, and everything to do with character.

It's a terrific piece of work, ringing true in scene after scene.