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California Girls

  • TV Movie
  • 19851985
  • UnratedUnrated
  • 1h 40m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
141
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Robby Benson and Martha Longley in California Girls (1985)
  • Comedy
  • Drama
A New Jersey auto mechanic travels to California to find the girl of his dreams and woos a bikini fashion model while the time quarreling with her high-powered manager and avoiding his New J... Read allA New Jersey auto mechanic travels to California to find the girl of his dreams and woos a bikini fashion model while the time quarreling with her high-powered manager and avoiding his New Jersey girlfriend who comes looking for him.A New Jersey auto mechanic travels to California to find the girl of his dreams and woos a bikini fashion model while the time quarreling with her high-powered manager and avoiding his New Jersey girlfriend who comes looking for him.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
141
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Rick Wallace
  • Writer
    • Charles Rosin
  • Stars
    • Robby Benson
    • Martin Mull
    • Charles Rocket
Top credits
  • Director
    • Rick Wallace
  • Writer
    • Charles Rosin
  • Stars
    • Robby Benson
    • Martin Mull
    • Charles Rocket
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 5User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

    Martha Longley in California Girls (1985)
    Robert Firth and Robby Benson in California Girls
    California Girls (1985)
    California Girls (1985)
    California Girls (1985)
    Robby Benson in California Girls (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robby Benson
    Robby Benson
    • Nathan Bowzeras Nathan Bowzer
    Martin Mull
    Martin Mull
    • Elliotas Elliot
    Charles Rocket
    Charles Rocket
    • Barryas Barry
    Ernie Hudson
    Ernie Hudson
    • Ernieas Ernie
    Tawny Kitaen
    Tawny Kitaen
    • Karen Maloneas Karen Malone
    Doris Roberts
    Doris Roberts
    • Mrs. Bowzeras Mrs. Bowzer
    Zsa Zsa Gabor
    Zsa Zsa Gabor
    • Zsa Zsa Gaboras Zsa Zsa Gabor
    Martha Longley
    • Heatheras Heather
    Norman Alden
    Norman Alden
    • Mr. Pegemas Mr. Pegem
    Bobby Kelton
    Bobby Kelton
    • Yuppieas Yuppie
    Rick Lieberman
    • Craigas Craig
    Lynn Tufeld
    Lynn Tufeld
    • Natalieas Natalie
    Robert Parucha
    • Corkyas Corky
    Robert Pastorelli
    Robert Pastorelli
    • Mechanicas Mechanic
    Robert Firth
    Robert Firth
    • Seanas Sean
    Susan Elliott
    • Rent-A-Car Girlas Rent-A-Car Girl
    Thomas Ryan
    • Passengeras Passenger
    Regis Philbin
    Regis Philbin
    • Regis Philbinas Regis Philbin
    • Director
      • Rick Wallace
    • Writer
      • Charles Rosin
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A New Jersey auto mechanic travels to California to find the girl of his dreams and woos a bikini fashion model while the time quarreling with her high-powered manager and avoiding his New Jersey girlfriend who comes looking for him.
    • new jersey
    • california
    • dream girl
    • garage
    • beach
    • 3 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
    • Certificate
      • Unrated
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Robert Firth, who plays Sean in the film, would go on to co-star with Robby Benson in the first incarnation of the CBS television pilot, Tough Cookies. Ironically, Robert Pastorelli would work with Firth on future projects too - co-starring with Firth in Tough Cookies and yet another CBS project - Sons of Gunz.
    • Quotes

      Nathan Bowzer: This looks like New Jersey.

    User reviews5

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Reviewers have the right plot; the IMDb seems off
    It's been almost 30 years, hard to believe, but for some reason the movie and plot really stuck with me since I saw it on TV at the age of 12. I was just entering puberty then, so maybe my fond and some distinct memories of it probably have something to do with that.

    First - the official synopsis here and on Wiki is not what I remember of the movie. For example, I don't recall that the main character was looking for a particular girl in California, nor do I remember him having a girlfriend back home. But the other two reviewers before me describe what I remember. Here's what I can add:

    The main character arrives in California in search of a better life and shortly after leaving the airport, he gets into an accident with a very attractive and glamorous California girl, the kind that inspired the song. The girl is distraught over the body damage -- maybe it wasn't her car -- and because the guy is a mechanic, he offers to come over to her place to fix it over the course of the days that followed. From that chance encounter, a relationship ensues. I don't recall the various other subplots.

    Near the end of the movie, he wakes up and it is revealed to viewers that it was all his dream. He gets out of bed to catch his flight and arrives in California, but this time it's raining and dreary out and nothing is as glamorous as they were in his dream. The movie ends right after he crosses paths with a less glamorous but otherwise attractive and more likable girl he had met in his dream version of his California trip. He says hello, and the movie ends, leaving the rest to everyone's imagination.

    Pretty silly plot, I gave it a 6, but I'd love to catch it again for the nostalgia.
    helpful•6
    0
    • steven-gauck
    • Oct 8, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 24, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Las chicas de California
    • Filming locations
      • 26731 Via Linda St, Malibu, California, USA
    • Production company
      • ABC Circle Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Premiere Week Synopses for CBS, NBC, and ABC
    Sep 4Collider.com

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    Robby Benson and Martha Longley in California Girls (1985)
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