Duell am Canyon

MAG WHEELS isn't as downbeat and sleazy as the innocent-sounding MALIBU HIGH from 1979, but isn't as airy and cheerful as MALIBU BEACH (1978), either. It falls somewhere in between. There's everything you might expect from this kind of movie: Girls in bikinis, custom vans, pick-up trucks, teen hangouts, skateboarding (at the Boogie Bowl) + lecherous bosses and a singular lack of plot. (Not that anyone watches these kind of movies because they're 'plot-heavy'!).

The main female character in the movie, Anita, has a home life from Hell due to her complete jerk of a father. Her school life also takes an ugly turn after a fight in class with another girl and then finally she tries to stop a "drag-out" between rival factions of girls and boys at her school. That's it, you say? YES! And don't forget about the groovy tunes by the garage band "THE WORD", especially the 'Anita' song (which I still can't get out of my head . . . ). Remember, though, if you decide to watch this it isn't as light-hearted as the video box would lead you to believe. There is some definite darkness here and all in all the movie has a real mishmash of tone. But if you like '70's Drive-In Movies (I do!) then check it out. Also worth noting is that of all the movies I've ever watched -- and I've watched a lot of movies -- this has the singularly most screwed up "happy ending" I've ever seen.

Released in a BIG box by Active Home Video in 1985 under the re-title "SUMMER SCHOOL".

The movie starts out pretty good with the dynamics between the guys and the girls hanging out with their vans that seems to be pretty popular in the 70s. But as the movie goes on the guys become really unlikable with one girl and the lack of problem solving when it comes to certain incidents are really frustrating. The movie ends kinda silly and disappointing.

Endless love, pot and heavy petting amidst a battle of the sexes between two rival surfie van gangs. Director Buckajew has filmed his share of teen flesh helming 60s backwoods nudies (The Pigkeeper's Daughter, Country Cuzzins) for Harry Novak's Box Office International (who also had Mag Wheels producer Peter Perry, aka 'AP Sootsberry', on the payroll), but takes time out to include other teensploitation essentials - frisbees, pinball, lame-o skateboarding, and those whacking paddles they used in Dazed And Confused - all from that awkward cultural limbo between Alice Cooper and John Travolta. Good to see jocks are the heroes and the nerds are zeroes, and that Women's Liberation had progressed to lines like `I'm Rachel. Fly me.' John Laughlin (here billed as "McLaughlin"), cast years later as Kathleen Turner's sex toy in Crimes Of Passion, heads a gormless no-name roster.

Hot '70s chicks,cool vans,Paradise Cove beach in Malibu,some pinball,some skateboarding,some good music and some boobs! And if you look hard enough you'll notice gas was .59 cents a gallon and you will see the Paradise Cove pier before it was destroyed a couple years after filming(from high surf and never rebuilt).

Not really a comedy and maybe less boobs than you'd like, but its good 'ol 70's fun (at least until the third act when there are a some not fun things) Would have liked to seen more of Shelly Horner,movie-wise and topless-wise.

Drive-In style fun with great 1970s vibe. If you've got 81 minutes to spare...check it out!

Anybody who use to watch USA Network's show UP ALL NIGHT in the late 1980's has probably seen this movie. I recently had the fortune of getting an original VHS copy.

This is a must see for anybody looking for a cheesy movie about teenagers who drive vans and pick-ups, hang out at the beach, skateboard at the Boogie Bowl and party at the lake. The story revolves around a new girl at school and the tension she causes when the local stud falls for her. The characters are completely addicted to using the phrase "shine it" and the best line of the movie comes from a tuff chick who after being put down emphatically says "I'm Jill, Fly Me!".

Directed by Southern skin flick legend Bethel Buckalew. Summer School does not appear to be the original title but a new name for the video release. After reading a review for Buckalew's film "Mag Wheels" they are the same movie and this is probably the original title.