Psycho Beach Party (2000)

Director:

Robert Lee King

Writers (WGA):

Charles Busch (play)
Charles Busch (screenplay)

Release Date:

September 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Mystery

Tagline:

Party till you drop. Dead.

Plot:

Spoof of 1960's Beach Party/Gidget surfing movies mixed with slasher horror films stars Lauren Ambrose as Florence Forrest...

Plot Keywords:

Beach | Surfing | Actress | Slasher | Spoof

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Lauren Ambrose	...	Florence 'Chicklet' Forrest
Thomas Gibson	...	Kanaka
Nicholas Brendon	...	Starcat
Kimberley Davies	...	Bettina Barnes
Matt Keeslar	...	Lars / Larry
Charles Busch	...	Captain Monica Stark
Beth Broderick	...	Mrs. Ruth Forrest
Danni Wheeler	...	Berdine
Nick Cornish	...	Yo Yo
Andrew Levitas	...	Provoloney
Amy Adams	...	Marvel Ann
Kathleen Robertson	...	Rhonda
Nathan Bexton	...	T.J.
Buddy Quaid	...	Junior
Jenica Bergere	...	Cookie

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Singapore:R(A) (cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Ontario) | France:U | Germany:12 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

Malibu, California, USA

Company:

New Oz Productions

Trivia:

According to director/writer commentary track on the Region 1 DVD, the original performances of the stage play from which the movie is based featured 'Charles Busch' in the role of Florence/Chicklet. When Busch adapted his play to film format, he was too old to play Chicklet, so he wrote for himself the part of Captain Monica Stark so he could still participate in the production.

Quotes:

Rhonda: Hey, is it true you're going to Europe at the end of the summer?
Florence "Chicklet" Forrest: No, we just have a Swedish exchange student living with us.
Rhonda: Oh, I heard you were going to Denmark.
Florence "Chicklet" Forrest: Where'd ya get that idea?
Rhonda: I heard you were going there to have some sort of an operation.
Florence "Chicklet" Forrest: An operation?
Rhonda: Yeah, I heard you were having your dick cut off and turning into a girl.
[suddenly gleeful]
Rhonda: Kisses.

Movie Connections:

References Marnie (1964)

Busch For President

Yes, a few of these viewers dont even seem to know the work of Charles Busch - the creator/writer and performer of Psycho Beach Party. Busch has a huge following in theatre (Psycho beach Party started a s a play)and all of his work is tongue-in-cheek and some of the complaints on these posts sound like people who wouldn't "get" Rocky Horror Picture Show or Plan 9 From Outer Space either. But that's okay - Busch's work is not for everyone - just like John Waters/Divine's work isnt for everyone. And this film adapatation certainly has it's weaknesses - but much of it is DEAD on - including the opening and closing credits with a young Ann-Margaret look-a-like doing her best go-go boot dancing. Busch is hysterical as the hard-as-nails "female" police chief and Lauen Ambrose has a field day playing the perky like Gidget with multiple personalities. The film is fun and if you like it, check on Busch in Die, Mommie, Die.