Shag (film)

Plot

The film is a lighthearted story of four teenage girlfriends of various temperaments who escape from their parents for a few days in 1963 for an adventure in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina where the big spring festival promises a dance contest, beer blasts and lots of cute boys. Carson (Phoebe Cates) is engaged to a rich but square young man, Melaina (Bridget Fonda) fancies herself as a Hollywood sexpot, Luanne (Page Hannah) wears glasses and is a prim and proper senator's daughter, and Pudge (Annabeth Gish) has recently lost weight but has always been called "Pudge" and suffers from low self-esteem.

The trip is spurred by the upcoming marriage of Carson. During their busy weekend at Myrtle Beach, the four find romance, dance up a storm, and make serious life decisions. Their story chronicles their final farewell to girlhood, and entree into womanhood and focuses on both the girls' moral quandaries and their budding sexualities.

Cast

Phoebe Cates as Carson McBride, the beautiful socialite who is set to marry a tobacco executive's son

Bridget Fonda as Melaina Buller, the promiscuous preacher's daughter with bigger dreams

Annabeth Gish as Caroline "Pudge" Carmichael, the formerly overweight, hometown cutie

Page Hannah as Luanne Clatterbuck, the uptight senator's daughter

Robert Rusler as Buzz Ravenel, the townie boy whose come-ons snare Carson

Scott Coffey as Chip Guillyard, a future service member and excellent shagger

Tyrone Power, Jr. as Harley Ralston, a tobacco executive's son- as straight-laced as they come

Jeff Yagher as Jimmy Valentine, a semi-famous Elvis Presley wanna-be

Carrie Hamilton as Nadine, a white-trash townie who is jealous of the girls

Leilani Sarelle as Suette

Reception

The film grossed approximately $6.9 million at the US Box Office. It was not a big hit when initially released, and commercially was considered a flop. Despite the film's box office failure, the film received mixed to positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes reports that, out of 15 critics in total, 64% gave the film a positive review.

Roger Ebert, who gave the film 3 stars, praised the actors of the film, calling them "best of the younger generation in Hollywood, and they treat their material with the humor and delicacy it deserves." TV Guide also enjoyed the actors, who called them "uniformly attractive and energetic, and deliver performances that range from likable to delicious."

Soundtrack

The original soundtrack album was released by Sire/Warner Bros Records on August 2, 1989. It was available on vinyl, cassette and CD.

1. The Shag - Tommy Page
2. I'm In Love Again - Randy Newman
3. Our Day Will Come - k.d. lang and The Reclines
4. Ready To Go Steady - The Charmettes
5. Shaggin' On The Grand Strand - Hank Ballard
6. Oh What A Night - The Moonlighters
7. Saved - La Vern Baker
8. I'm Leaving It All Up to You - La Vern Baker, Ben E. King
9. Surrender - Louise Goffin
10. Diddley Daddy - Chris Isaak

* The Shirelles – Mama Said* Sam Cooke – Another Saturday Night* The Chiffons – He's So Fine* The Duprees – You Belong to Me* The Tams – What Kind of Fool* k.d. lang and The Reclines – Seven Lonely Days

Home media releases

The initial VHS home video version was released on June 3, 1997. However, legal copyright infringements led to a second VHS release on January 13, 1998 that features different songs, or no music at all in some scenes compared to the original theatrical release. The 1997 home video version has a box cover almost identical to the theatrical poster; the modified copyright-compliant version has different cover artwork.

Shag was released on Region 1 DVD on May 22, 2001. The Blu Ray of the movie was released on June 27, 2017 by Olive Films.