Filmed in 1975, "Lifeguard" relays the story of an aging L.A. lifeguard (Sam Elliott) during the summer of '75. He suffers an early mid-life crisis when his friends and family continually reveal their disapproval of his career choice. This is heightened when he attends his 15-year high school reunion where he reunites with a recently-divorced ex-flame (Anne Archer). To complicate matters Elliot runs into a cute underage teen on the beach (Kathleen Quinlin) who makes him feel like an Adonis.

I remember catching "Lifeguard" on TV sometime in the '90s and all I can remember is what a great film it was. I never heard of it before but the story took me right in and captivated me throughout. This is a secret gem from the 70s.

What makes it work so well? For one thing the film is very realistic. It's like they filmed a story of real people. That's how good the writing and acting is.

Parker Stevenson appears as a lifeguard apprentice who works with Elliott throughout the summer. The fact that he's a college student and goes back to school at the end of the film adds to Elliott's crisis.

A handful of items I found interesting in the story:

• Elliott instructs Stevenson to not mess with the underage cuties on the beach who often tend to flirt with lifeguards. He then does this very thing with a girl named Wendy (Quinlin),who says she's 17 but could very well be as young as 15 (girls are known to lie in such situations). Elliott's character in the film seems pretty mature, honest and intelligent. Was he being hypocritical? I think his actions reveal the crisis he's undergoing. He's getting older and his manhood is being threatened by the numerous people encouraging him to get a "real" job. Wendy makes him feel like a man and he unwisely gives into temptation. I lost some respect for the character when this happened but, you'll see, he "sees the light" later on.

• The film effectively shows that Wendy wasn't ready for a sexual relationship with Elliott or anyone else. When Elliott informs her that they simply can't be together her breakdown is potent. This leads to another event that, I'm sure, drives home the point for Elliott to never mess with "jailbait" ever again.

• At Elliott's reunion he gets tired of hearing negative reactions to his still being a lifeguard so he opts for ambiguity, "I work for the county." Have you ever done that?

• The film reflects the loose sexual morals of the pre-AIDS 70s era e.g. "You're hot, let's have sex! And, no, I'm not interested in marriage." Also, one woman is shown totally nude near the beginning. Despite this, it's NOT a T&A exploitation flick; the flimmakers were obviously simply shooting for realism. To support this, the beach scenes are filled with realistic-looking people, unlike Baywatch which exclusively showed incredibly bodacious babes walking the beach in the background. I've been to numerous southern Californian beaches on four separate vacations and know this isn't true.

• Speaking of Baywatch, that TV series obviously used "Lifeguard" as a prototype. I've only seen a couple of whole episodes in my life so I'm not the right person to ascertain that show's quality, but I think it's pretty safe to say there's no comparison. In other words, don't allow a negative impression of Baywatch keep you away from "Lifeguard."

• Elliot's friend (Stephen Young) encourages him to take a lucrative job selling Porsches. When he goes to the dealership for an interview you can tell he's almost ready to lose his cookies at the prospect of being a car salesman despite the better money. Have you ever experienced this? I have.

Free-spirited 30-somethingish lifeguard Rick Carlson (a fine and engaging performance by Sam Elliott) finds himself at a crossroads in his life: He's reunited with former high school flame Cathy (well played by Anne Archer),faces temptation in the form of sweet smitten teenager Wendy (an appealing portrayal by Kathleen Quinlan),and thinks about starting a new more lucrative career as a car salesman.

Director Daniel Petrie relates the engrossing story at a deliberate pace, neatly captures a pleasing easy'n'breezy laid-back Southern California vibe, makes good use of the lovely seaside scenery, and, most importantly, brings a spot-on low-key introspective sensibility to the surprisingly smart and substantial premise. Ron Koslow's thoughtful script explores with admirable depth and intelligence the central concept of how life is all about choices: A man can stay true to himself and keep on doing what he's perfectly happy with even if it means having a more modest lifestyle or do what others want and expect him to do by making "more" out of himself, which in this movie boils down to having a job in which you make more money and possess a more outwardly respectable social status.

Elliott's considerable scruffy charm and likeable personality go a long way in making Rick a deeply sympathetic character; he receives sturdy support from Parker Stevenson as eager rookie Chris, Stephen Young as affluent old high school buddy Larry, Sharon Clark as foxy stewardess Tina, Steve Burns as local teen troublemaker Machine Gun, and George Wallace as Rick's disapproving dad. Ralph Woolsey's sunny cinematography provides an attractive bright look. A nice little film.

Torrance, California lifeguard Sam Elliott (as Rick "Ricky" Carlson) starts to feel his advancing years, after receiving an invitation to his Del Mar High School "Class of 1960" fifteen year reunion. Tanned, handsome and hairy, Mr. Elliott keeps up with the young and enjoys pleasing different women. He's a stud in the shack, but avoids commitment. Arriving on the beach, cute wavy-haired student Parker Stevenson (as Chris Randall) receives instruction in life-guarding and becomes Elliott's partner. They pontificate about how often aroused Steve Burns (as Harold) masturbates. The horny lad is called "Machine Gun" because he "holds the international record for jerking off." After the scene with topless stewardess Sharon Clark (as Tina),he'll have company...

Both Elliott and Mr. Stevenson contemplate sex with mature but underage Kathleen Quinlan (as Wendy). Stevenson would do her. However, Elliott doesn't want to risk the statutory rape complications. Still, Ms. Quinlan is determined to get it on with Elliott, and won't take no for an answer. Also making the beach scene is Elliott's old school chum Stephen Young (as Larry),who encourages his reluctant pal not only to attend his high school reunion, but also join to him as a Porsche salesman. At the reunion, Elliott meets still attractive art gallery hostess Anne Archer (as Cathy) and thinks about giving up his lifeguard duties for a more socially respectable lifestyle. With more realistic situations and a cool cast, "Lifeguard" arouses new interest in beach movies.

******* Lifeguard (7/23/76) Daniel Petrie ~ Sam Elliott, Kathleen Quinlan, Anne Archer, Parker Stevenson