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Hot Resort
Hot Resort
Hot Resort
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Hot Resort
Directed byJohn Robins
Screenplay byJohn Robins
Boaz Davidson
Norman Hudis
Story byPaul Max Rubenstein
Produced byYoram Globus
Menahem Golan
StarringTom Parsekian
Michael Berz
Bronson Pinchot
Dan Schneider
Marcy Walker
Debra Kelly
Samm-Art Williams
Frank Gorshin
CinematographyFrank P. Flynn
Edited byDory Lubliner
Brent Schoenfeld
Production
companies
Distributed byCannon Group
Pan-Canadian Film Distributors
Release date
  • January 1985 (1985-01)
Running time
92 minutes
CountriesUnited States
St Kitts and Nevis
LanguageEnglish

Hot Resort is a 1985 comedy film directed by John Robins and starring Bronson Pinchot, Dan Schneider, Marcy Walker and Samm-Art Williams.[1][2] It was shot on Saint Kitts with an American cast and crew.[citation needed]

Plot

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Several young American men go to St Kitts for a summer job at a resort hotel, hoping to earn money for college and meet women. They clash with a group of wealthy Ivy League rowers there to film a soup commercial.

Production

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Hot Resort was filmed on an Arriflex 35BL camera and 35 mm film, on location at the Royal Saint Kitts Hotel, Saint Kitts.[3][4][5]

Reception

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The Blockbuster Video Guide to Movies and Videos described it as a "cold sophomoric comedy."[6] Leonard Maltin rated Hot Resort a "bomb" and gave it a "D".[7]

In the Radio Times, Keith Bailey gave it one star, saying "There's not much in the way of humour in this teen comedy […] Poor old Frank Gorshin wanders in and out of the virtually plotless story, while Bronson Pinchot shows none of the comic talent that would later make him famous."[8]

References

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Hot Resort

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Hot Resort is a 1985 American directed by John Robins and produced by The Cannon Group under Golan-Globus Productions. The film stars , , Tom Parsekian, and Michael Berz as a group of young men who take summer jobs at a on the island of St. Kitts, hoping to earn money for while pursuing romantic encounters with female guests. Set against the backdrop of a luxurious beachside , the story revolves around the protagonists' comedic struggles, including clashes with snobby visitors, participation in a commercial shoot, and rivalries in competitions. The ensemble cast also features , , and a special appearance by as a . Running for 93 minutes, the movie exemplifies the sex comedy genre popular in the , blending humor with lighthearted depictions of youthful escapades. Released theatrically on January 25, 1985, by Cannon Film Distributors, Hot Resort received a limited critical reception, with an audience score of 23% on based on over 50 ratings. Despite its modest performance and mixed reviews labeling it as a formulaic teen , it remains a nostalgic entry in the era's resort-themed films produced by Cannon.

Plot and characters

Plot summary

A group of young men from New York, including best friends Brad and Chuck, arrive at the Royal Saint Kitts Hotel on the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, seeking summer jobs to fund their college tuition while hoping to enjoy romantic encounters with female guests and staff. Upon settling into their roles as hotel staff, they immerse themselves in the resort's lively atmosphere of beach activities, tropical parties, and 1980s summer leisure, but their plans are disrupted by the arrival of a group of snobby Ivy League rowers who are there to film a soup commercial. The rowers' elitist attitudes lead to immediate clashes with the protagonists, sparking rivalries over resort resources and romantic interests amid the sunny island setting. As tensions build, Brad develops a romance with Franny, the attractive daughter of the resort manager, navigating awkward family dynamics and her initial reservations about his laid-back approach. Meanwhile, pursues a flirtatious connection with Liza, a vacationing guest drawn to his enthusiastic personality, though their interactions are complicated by comedic mishaps such as botched seduction attempts and playful pranks on the rowers. The group faces further humorous setbacks, including failed attempts to impress women during games and poolside antics, while trying to maintain their jobs under the watchful eye of the hotel management. The rivalry escalates when the rowers dominate the resort's facilities for their commercial shoot, prompting the young men to challenge them in a series of pranks and direct confrontations that highlight class differences and personal insecurities. The climax unfolds during the filming of the soup commercial, where a chaotic boat race and sabotage lead to a high-stakes showdown on the water, blending with the island's vibrant backdrop of turquoise seas and palm-fringed shores. In the resolution, Brad and Chuck's group outmaneuvers the rowers through clever teamwork and determination, securing their positions at the hotel, solidifying their romances with Franny and Liza, and achieving a sense of personal growth and camaraderie by the end of the summer.

Cast

The film features an of young comedic actors portraying a group of protagonists who clash with snobby rowers and guests at a resort, contributing to the sex comedy genre through overconfident romantic pursuits and prank-filled antics. In the lead roles, Tom Parsekian plays Marty, the everyman leader of the quartet of friends seeking summer jobs and adventure at the hotel. Michael Berz portrays , another resort worker in the group who joins in their schemes and pranks against the elite visitors. Bronson Pinchot, in an early lead comedic role following his television appearances in shows like Sara, embodies Brad as the wisecracking, fast-talking schemer whose overconfident pursuits of women drive much of the film's humor. Dan Schneider, marking an early film credit before transitioning to a prominent writing and producing career, appears as Chuck, the awkward yet earnest sidekick within the ensemble. Supporting the comedic leads are several notable players who enhance the resort's chaotic dynamics. Marcy Walker plays Franny, the attractive daughter of the resort manager who becomes a romantic interest amid the flirtations. Debra Kelly is cast as Liza, a flirtatious guest who interacts with the protagonists in the film's lighthearted romantic subplots. Samm-Art Williams portrays Bill Martin, the wise and authoritative resort staff member serving as a mentor figure to the young workers. Frank Gorshin rounds out key roles as Mr. Green, the eccentric hotel manager whose quirky oversight adds to the ensemble's conflicts with the snobby antagonists.

Production

Development

The development of Hot Resort originated as a low-budget project under Cannon Films, the production company founded by cousins Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus, renowned for their rapid assembly of B-movies in the 1980s to exploit emerging trends in exploitation cinema. The film's concept stemmed from a story by Paul Max Rubenstein, which was adapted into a screenplay by John Robins, Boaz Davidson, and Norman Hudis, drawing inspiration from the Israeli teen sex comedy series Lemon Popsicle, created by Davidson and produced by Golan and Globus earlier in the decade. The narrative centered on class conflicts between working-class young men and affluent vacationers at a Caribbean resort, blending humor from romantic pursuits and social rivalries to appeal to a young male audience. John Robins, making his feature directorial debut after working on British television sketches like , was hired to direct, aligning with Cannon's strategy of employing emerging talent for cost efficiency. Golan and Globus served as producers, overseeing the project's quick to fit their fast-track model, which prioritized inexpensive productions for seasonal releases. The budget remained modest, estimated under $5 million in line with Cannon's typical allocations for similar comedies, though exact figures were not publicly confirmed, emphasizing speed over lavish spending to capitalize on the summer movie window. Development occurred primarily in 1984, with the script finalized swiftly to enable soon after, reflecting Cannon's assembly-line approach to churning out teen-oriented fare. This phase also marked an early career opportunity for actors like , whose involvement helped boost visibility for the ensemble.

Filming

for Hot Resort took place primarily at the Royal St. Kitts Hotel in St. Kitts and Nevis, capturing the authentic ambiance of a resort central to the film's setting. Additional scenes were filmed on nearby beaches and hotel interiors to depict the lively resort environment. Shooting began on March 12, 1984, aligning with the story's seasonal tropical vibe. The film was produced on a modest by The Cannon Group and Golan-Globus Productions, emphasizing efficient scheduling to achieve its 93-minute runtime. Frank P. Flynn handled the visuals, employing techniques suited to the lighthearted, fast-paced style of comedies, with a focus on vibrant outdoor shots and comedic timing. Editing by Brent A. Schoenfeld and Dory Lubliner contributed to the film's snappy rhythm, prioritizing spontaneous humor and ensemble interactions. Director John Robins oversaw the production with a hands-on approach, though specific on-set challenges related to the tropical location, such as weather logistics and island access, were not widely documented in contemporary accounts. The crew, including production supervisor Rami Alon and on-set dresser Osnat Bahiri, managed the remote shoot effectively to maintain the project's low-budget efficiency.

Release and reception

Release

Hot Resort was released theatrically in the United States in 1985 by Cannon Film Distributors. The film received limited international distribution, with video premieres in in 1985 and theatrical releases in the on June 26, 1986, and on July 31, 1987. Following its completion in 1984, the production saw a quick turnaround to capitalize on the summer market. The marketing campaign positioned Hot Resort as a raunchy summer sex comedy, with promotional posters highlighting tropical beach settings and the appeal of its young cast. It was promoted alongside other Cannon Group productions in the genre, such as the 1982 film , to target a seeking lighthearted, risqué . With a runtime of 93 minutes, the film initially became available on in the mid-1980s through Cannon's distribution channels. By the , it appeared in select DVD compilations focusing on 1980s cult comedies, though it has maintained no significant presence on major streaming platforms as of 2025. The theatrical rollout was confined to drive-ins and second-run theaters, reflecting its status as a low-budget B-movie amid a saturated market for similar fare.

Reception

Hot Resort received predominantly negative reviews upon its release, establishing it as a quintessential example of the era's low-effort teen sex comedies produced by Cannon Films. Critics and audiences alike dismissed the film for its , predictable plotlines, and lack of originality, often comparing it unfavorably to more successful entries in the genre like . The film's reliance on dated sexual innuendos and trope-heavy rivalries between working-class staff and guests contributed to its reputation as unfunny and forgettable. Despite the harsh critical consensus, some praise was directed at the lighthearted chemistry among the cast, particularly Bronson Pinchot's energetic performance as the suave Marty, which provided occasional sparks amid the otherwise lackluster pacing. However, these elements failed to elevate the overall execution, with reviewers noting poor technical aspects and weak scripting as major flaws. The film exemplifies Cannon's output of budget-conscious B-movies aimed at quick video market exploitation rather than lasting impact. Audience response has remained lukewarm, reflected in its low IMDb rating of 3.7 out of 10 from 574 user votes. On , it scores 23% from over 50 audience ratings, underscoring its limited appeal beyond niche 1980s nostalgia enthusiasts who appreciate its era-specific cheesiness on platforms like reruns. While it garnered a minor for its unpretentious vulgarity and Pinchot's pre-fame role, Hot Resort has seen no significant revival or scholarly discussion in film history, fading quickly after its release.
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