Review of Acapulco Gold

Affable insurance agent Rolph (a solid and engaging portrayal by the always cool Marjoe Gortner) gets sent to jail on a phony drug smuggling charge. He escapes from the pokey with the help of grubby drunken charter boat captain Solborg (a delightfully hammy Robert Lansing), who's hauling a freight of high grade marijuana to Hawaii for nefarious dope dealer Frye (a nicely smarmy John Harkins). Director Burt Brinckerhoff maintains a steady, but leisurely pace throughout and effectively creates a charmingly casual laid-back tone. Robert Steadman's pretty, picturesque cinematography captures the breathtakingly beauteous tropical Hawaiian scenery with exquisite clarity. Craig Safan's funky, syncopated score likewise hits the spot. Popping up in nifty substantial supporting roles are Ed Nelson as ramrod DEA agent Hollister, lovely blonde onetime top fashion model Randi Oakes as Frye's sweetly ditsy girlfriend Sally, and Lee Frost film regular Phil Hoover as Frye's intimidating brutish flunky George. The appealingly easy'n'breezy chemistry between Gortner and Lansing is a real treat to watch. A lively and sidesplitting car chase between two golf carts rates as the definite comic highlight. An amiably slight, silly and innocuous romp.