The Sweet Ride (1968)

• Director
  • Harvey Hart
• Writers
  • Tom Mankiewicz(screenplay)
  • William Murray(novel)
• Stars
  • Anthony Franciosa
  • Michael Sarrazin
  • Jacqueline Bisset

  Three footloose bachelors find reality encroaching on their carefree lives in this comedy-drama from the Swinging Sixties. Collie Ransom (Anthony Franciosa) is a tennis player who makes his living hustling games at upscale country clubs as he tries to keep one step ahead of middle age. Collie shares a beach house in Malibu with moody surfer Denny McGuire (Michael Sarrazin) and free-spirited jazz pianist Choo Choo Burns (Bob Denver). While Choo Choo has an on-again, off-again relationship with stag movie actress Thumper Stevens (Michele Carey), Collie and Denny spend much of their free time chasing women until Denny happens to meet Vickie Cartwright (Jacqueline Bisset) on the beach, shortly after rough surf has deprived her of the top half of her bikini. Vickie is a talented actress who has just landed the starring role in a television show, and she and Denny quickly fall for one another. But Denny learns he has a serious rival for Vickie's affections who isn't about to share her with anyone and isn't afraid to play rough. Meanwhile, the guys run afoul of a biker gang named the Freaks, Collie finds an easy mark isn't as easy as he imagined, and Choo Choo has to deal with the draft board while looking for a paying gig. The Sweet Ride features a guest appearance by legendary psychedelic rock band Moby Grape, and Dusty Springfield sings the title song.