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{{Short description|1979 film by John D. Hancock}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
|name=California Dreaming
|name=California Dreaming
|image=California Dreaming poster.jpg
|caption=Poster
|director=[[John D. Hancock]]
|director=[[John D. Hancock]]
|writer=Ned Wynn
|writer=Ned Wynn
|producer=Christian Whittaker
|producer=Christian Whittaker
|starring=[[Glynnis O'Connor]]<br>[[Dennis Christopher]]<br>[[Seymour Cassel]]<br>[[Tanya Roberts]]
|starring=[[Glynnis O'Connor]]<br />[[Dennis Christopher]]<br />[[Seymour Cassel]]<br />[[Tanya Roberts]]
|music=[[Fred Karlin]]
|music=[[Fred Karlin]]
|cinematography=[[Bobby Byrne (cinematographer)|Bobby Byrne]]
|cinematography=[[Bobby Byrne (cinematographer)|Bobby Byrne]]
|editing=Herb Dow<br>Roy Peterson
|editing=Herb Dow<br />Roy Peterson
|runtime=92 minutes
|runtime=92 minutes
|released={{Film date|1979|03|16}}
|released={{Film date|1979|03|16}}
|country=United States
|country=United States
|gross=$2 million (US rentals)<ref>THE BIG THUDS OF 1979--FILMS THAT FLOPPED, BADLY
|gross=$2 million (US rentals)<ref>THE BIG THUDS OF 1979--FILMS THAT FLOPPED, BADLY
Epstein, Andrew. Los Angeles Times 27 Apr 1980: o6.</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/americanfilmdist0000dona/page/301/mode/1up|title= American film distribution : the changing marketplace|last=Donahue|first= Suzanne Mary|year=1987 |publisher=UMI Research Press |page=301}} Please note figures are for rentals in US and Canada</ref>
Epstein, Andrew. Los Angeles Times 27 Apr 1980: o6.</ref>
|language=[[English language|English]]
|language=[[English language|English]]
|distributor=[[American International Pictures]]
|distributor=[[American International Pictures]]
}}
}}


'''''California Dreaming''''' is a 1979 American [[comedy-drama|comedy-drama film]] starring [[Glynnis O'Connor]], [[Dennis Christopher]], [[Seymour Cassel]] and [[Tanya Roberts]] and directed by [[John D. Hancock]].<ref>{{cite web|title=California Dreaming|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/7866/California-Dreaming/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128194800/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/7866/California-Dreaming/overview|url-status=dead|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|publisher=[[Baseline (database)|Baseline]] & [[All Movie Guide]]|author=Clarke Fountain|date=2008|archive-date=2008-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[TV Guide]]|title=California Dreaming|url=http://movies.tvguide.com/california-dreaming/126108}}</ref>
'''''California Dreaming''''' is a 1979 American [[comedy-drama|comedy-drama film]] starring [[Glynnis O'Connor]], [[Dennis Christopher]], [[Seymour Cassel]] and [[Tanya Roberts]] and directed by [[John D. Hancock]].<ref>{{cite web|title=California Dreaming|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/7866/California-Dreaming/overview|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128194800/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/7866/California-Dreaming/overview|url-status=dead|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Clarke Fountain|date=2008|archive-date=2008-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|work=[[TV Guide]]|title=California Dreaming|url=http://movies.tvguide.com/california-dreaming/126108|access-date=2012-12-21|archive-date=2012-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120711152039/http://movies.tvguide.com/california-dreaming/126108|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
A young man named T.T. moves from Chicago to California for the summer. He quickly becomes adapted to the new pace of beach life, learning several lessons along the way.
A young man named Tony moves from Chicago to California for the summer. He quickly becomes adapted to the new pace of beach life, learning several lessons along the way.

⚫
==Production==
⚫
''California Dreaming'', a production of [[American International Pictures]] (AIP), could be considered a latter-day exemplar of the [[beach party film|beach-party film]] genre that AIP pioneered in the 1960s. However, the film's producer [[Lou Arkoff]], the son of AIP founder [[Samuel Z. Arkoff]], stated a desire to "move [AIP] toward more serious, insightful and creative projects" rather than the [[exploitation films]] favored by his father, saying specifically of ''California Dreaming'': "My concern is that this doesn't become '[[Beach Blanket Bingo]]'."<ref name="LA Times">Los Angeles Times "Riding the Waves of California Dreaming" 11 December 1977 p. 66</ref>

⚫
Filming for ''California Dreaming'' began on October 17, 1977 at [[Santa Monica State Beach]], the film's purported setting. However, most of the movie's footage would be shot at [[Pismo Beach, California|Pismo Beach]], with [[Avila Beach]] also serving as a locale.

⚫
The script written by Ned Wynn was entitled ''State Beach'', which was the film's working title (with ''Golden State'' mentioned as a possible alternative). Director [[John D. Hancock]] wanted to change the title to ''California Dreaming'',<ref>''Pittsburgh Post Gazetter'' 6 April 1978 "Hancock's 'California Dreaming' After Playhouse & Jaws 2" by George Anderson p.12</ref> and the new title was confirmed in December 1977. Permission for the title was obtained from the copyright holders of the song "[[California Dreamin']]", though the film's storyline has no immediate parallels with the song's lyrics. The film's poster features the slogan "A state somewhere between fantasy and reality" under the title.<ref name="LA Times"/>

⚫
Filming was completed in December 1978. The film's budget was $2 million.<ref>http://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/56231</ref>

⚫
==Release==
⚫
The planned July 1978 release of ''California Dreaming'' was postponed because of a perceived glut of similarly themed movies set for release that summer (most prominently ''[[Big Wednesday]]''). A rescheduled October 1978 was also canceled.<ref>San Bernardino County Sun 20 February 1979 p. 20</ref> The film finally premiered with a December 27-January 1 engagement at a [[Yuma, Arizona]] theater; it was to AIP's advantage for taxation purposes to release the film before the end of 1978.<ref>Tax Court Memorandum Decisions, Vol 53 p. 951</ref>

⚫
''California Dreaming'' was given a [[limited release]] on March 16, 1979, and the release was expanded in the following two months. The release schedule was planned to coincide with the release of the film's soundtrack album, distributed by [[Casablanca Records]]. The version of "California Dreamin'" recorded by [[America (band)|America]] that plays during ''California Dreaming''<nowiki/>'s closing credits was issued as a single, spending eight weeks in the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and peaking at #56.<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-03-31-OCR-Page-0154.pdf#search=%22california%20dreaming%20soundtrack%22</ref>


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{castlist|
* [[Glynnis O'Connor]] as Corky
* [[Glynnis O'Connor]] as Corky
* [[Seymour Cassel]] as Duke
* [[Seymour Cassel]] as Duke
* [[Dennis Christopher]] as T.T.
* [[Dennis Christopher]] as T.T.
* Dorothy Tristan as Faye
* [[Dorothy Tristan]] as Faye
* [[Tanya Roberts]] as Stephanie
* [[Tanya Roberts]] as Stephanie
* John Calvin as Rick
* [[John Calvin (actor)|John Calvin]] as Rick
* [[Todd Susman]] as Jordy
* [[Todd Susman]] as Jordy
* [[Alice Playten]] as Corrine
* [[Alice Playten]] as Corrine
* [[Vivian Bonnell]] as Alma
* [[Bonnie Bartlett]] as Melinda Booke
}}

⚫
==Production==
⚫
''California Dreaming'' is a production of [[American International Pictures]] (AIP), which pioneered the [[beach party film|beach-party film]] in the 1960s. However, the film's producer [[Lou Arkoff]], the son of AIP founder [[Samuel Z. Arkoff]], stated a desire to "move [AIP] toward more serious, insightful and creative projects" rather than the [[exploitation films]] favored by his father, saying specifically of ''California Dreaming'': "My concern is that this doesn't become ''[[Beach Blanket Bingo]]''."<ref name="LA Times">Los Angeles Times "Riding the Waves of California Dreaming" 11 December 1977 p. 66</ref>

⚫
Filming began on October 17, 1977 at [[Santa Monica State Beach]], the film's purported setting. However, most footage was shot at [[Pismo Beach, California|Pismo Beach]], with [[Avila Beach]] also serving as a locale.

⚫
The script written by Ned Wynn was entitled ''State Beach'', which was the film's working title (with ''Golden State'' mentioned as a possible alternative). Director [[John D. Hancock]] wanted to change the title to ''California Dreaming'',<ref>''Pittsburgh Post Gazetter'' 6 April 1978 "Hancock's 'California Dreaming' After Playhouse & Jaws 2" by George Anderson p.12</ref> and the new title was confirmed in December 1977. Permission for the title was obtained from the copyright holders of the song "[[California Dreamin']]", although the film's storyline has no direct parallels with the song's lyrics. The film's poster features the slogan "A state somewhere between fantasy and reality" under the title.<ref name="LA Times"/>

⚫
Filming was completed in December 1978. The film's budget was $2 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/56231|title = AFI&#124;Catalog}}</ref>

[[John D. Hancock]] said that during filming, male cast members' attraction to [[Tanya Roberts]] caused tension on the set.<ref>{{Google books|gW9iDwAAQBAJ|Hancock On Hancock, p. 336|page=336}}</ref>

⚫
==Release==
⚫
The planned July 1978 release of ''California Dreaming'' was postponed because of a perceived glut of similarly themed films set for release that summer (most prominently ''[[Big Wednesday]]''). A rescheduled October 1978 was also canceled.<ref>San Bernardino County Sun 20 February 1979 p. 20</ref> The film finally premiered with a December 27-January 1 engagement at a [[Yuma, Arizona]] theater, as it was to AIP's advantage for taxation purposes to release the film before the end of 1978.<ref>Tax Court Memorandum Decisions, Vol 53 p. 951</ref>

⚫
''California Dreaming'' was provided a [[limited release]] on March 16, 1979, which was expanded in the following two months. The release schedule was planned to coincide with that of the film's soundtrack album, distributed by [[Casablanca Records]]. The version of "California Dreamin'" recorded by [[America (band)|America]] that plays during ''California Dreaming''<nowiki/>'s closing credits was issued as a single, spending eight weeks in the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and peaking at #56.<ref>http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-03-31-OCR-Page-0154.pdf#search=%22california%20dreaming%20soundtrack%22 {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:1979 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:1979 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American comedy-drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:American films]]
[[Category:American International Pictures films]]
[[Category:American International Pictures films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:1970s English-language films]]
[[Category:Films directed by John D. Hancock]]
[[Category:Films directed by John D. Hancock]]
[[Category:Films scored by Fred Karlin]]
[[Category:Films scored by Fred Karlin]]
[[Category:Films set in California]]
[[Category:Films set in California]]
[[Category:Films shot in California]]
[[Category:Films shot in California]]
⚫
[[Category:1970s American films]]
[[Category:English-language comedy-drama films]]

Latest revision as of 03:20, 22 August 2024

California Dreaming
Poster
Directed byJohn D. Hancock
Written byNed Wynn
Produced byChristian Whittaker
StarringGlynnis O'Connor
Dennis Christopher
Seymour Cassel
Tanya Roberts
CinematographyBobby Byrne
Edited byHerb Dow
Roy Peterson
Music byFred Karlin
Distributed byAmerican International Pictures
Release date
  • March 16, 1979 (1979-03-16)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$2 million (US rentals)[1][2]

California Dreaming is a 1979 American comedy-drama film starring Glynnis O'Connor, Dennis Christopher, Seymour Cassel and Tanya Roberts and directed by John D. Hancock.[3][4]

Plot

[edit]

A young man named Tony moves from Chicago to California for the summer. He quickly becomes adapted to the new pace of beach life, learning several lessons along the way.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

California Dreaming is a production of American International Pictures (AIP), which pioneered the beach-party film in the 1960s. However, the film's producer Lou Arkoff, the son of AIP founder Samuel Z. Arkoff, stated a desire to "move [AIP] toward more serious, insightful and creative projects" rather than the exploitation films favored by his father, saying specifically of California Dreaming: "My concern is that this doesn't become Beach Blanket Bingo."[5]

Filming began on October 17, 1977 at Santa Monica State Beach, the film's purported setting. However, most footage was shot at Pismo Beach, with Avila Beach also serving as a locale.

The script written by Ned Wynn was entitled State Beach, which was the film's working title (with Golden State mentioned as a possible alternative). Director John D. Hancock wanted to change the title to California Dreaming,[6] and the new title was confirmed in December 1977. Permission for the title was obtained from the copyright holders of the song "California Dreamin'", although the film's storyline has no direct parallels with the song's lyrics. The film's poster features the slogan "A state somewhere between fantasy and reality" under the title.[5]

Filming was completed in December 1978. The film's budget was $2 million.[7]

John D. Hancock said that during filming, male cast members' attraction to Tanya Roberts caused tension on the set.[8]

Release

[edit]

The planned July 1978 release of California Dreaming was postponed because of a perceived glut of similarly themed films set for release that summer (most prominently Big Wednesday). A rescheduled October 1978 was also canceled.[9] The film finally premiered with a December 27-January 1 engagement at a Yuma, Arizona theater, as it was to AIP's advantage for taxation purposes to release the film before the end of 1978.[10]

California Dreaming was provided a limited release on March 16, 1979, which was expanded in the following two months. The release schedule was planned to coincide with that of the film's soundtrack album, distributed by Casablanca Records. The version of "California Dreamin'" recorded by America that plays during California Dreaming's closing credits was issued as a single, spending eight weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at #56.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ THE BIG THUDS OF 1979--FILMS THAT FLOPPED, BADLY Epstein, Andrew. Los Angeles Times 27 Apr 1980: o6.
  2. ^ Donahue, Suzanne Mary (1987). American film distribution : the changing marketplace. UMI Research Press. p. 301. Please note figures are for rentals in US and Canada
  3. ^ Clarke Fountain (2008). "California Dreaming". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2008-01-28.
  4. ^ "California Dreaming". TV Guide. Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2012-12-21.
  5. ^ a b Los Angeles Times "Riding the Waves of California Dreaming" 11 December 1977 p. 66
  6. ^ Pittsburgh Post Gazetter 6 April 1978 "Hancock's 'California Dreaming' After Playhouse & Jaws 2" by George Anderson p.12
  7. ^ "AFI|Catalog".
  8. ^ Hancock On Hancock, p. 336, p. 336, at Google Books
  9. ^ San Bernardino County Sun 20 February 1979 p. 20
  10. ^ Tax Court Memorandum Decisions, Vol 53 p. 951
  11. ^ http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/70s/1979/Billboard%201979-03-31-OCR-Page-0154.pdf#search=%22california%20dreaming%20soundtrack%22 [dead link‍]
[edit]
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