This film essentially begins with several players from a college basketball team in Los Angeles skipping out on their coach over the weekend to go to Palm Springs for some fun and relaxation. To their surprise, their coach "Fred Campbell" (Jack Weston) just happens be on the same bus with them and is there to ensure that they stay in top physical shape. Also on this bus is an attractive young lady named "Gayle Lewis" (Connie Stevens) who is headed to Palm Springs with the hope that she will meet a wealthy young man to settle down with--while having some fun in the process. Yet even though all of the travelers on the bus are looking for some fun and excitement, what they don't realize is that there is a law enforcement official in Palm Springs by the name of "Police Chief Dixon" (Andrew Duggan) who likes things nice and quiet--and he has no tolerance for college kids stirring things up in his city. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was an enjoyable romantic comedy which primarily benefited from the aggressive rivalry between the spoiled rich kid "Eric Dean" (Robert Conrad) and the small-town Texan "Doug 'Stretch' Fortune" (Ty Hardin) over Gayle Lewis. And while I didn't particularly care for the comedy supplied by Jerry Van Dyke (as "Biff Roberts"), I thought Jack Weston more than made up for it with his excellent performance. Likewise, the delicate romantic situation between "Jim Munroe" (Troy Donahue) and "Bunny Dixon" (Stephanie Powers)--who happens to be the daughter of the hard-nosed police chief--was also well played. Be that as it may, although this romantic comedy might seem out-of-date by current standards, I enjoyed it for the most part, and I have rated it accordingly. Slightly above average.
Review of Palm Springs Weekend
