Better Late Then Never

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

This is a combination boating comedy and caper yarn and works breezily on both levels. It is a truly funny time capsule that features Wally Cox as the Boatyard's playboy constantly surrounded by gorgeous and nubile young women in bikinis. The combination of weekend boating dilettantes that monopolize the Coast Guard's time and efforts is depicted quite well, and in humorous fashion. One of the early boats in need of a rescue is "The Dramamine Dragon." Gil Lamb is wonderful as a sailor committed to taking a three-year trip around the world. Joe E. Ross, Al Lewis, Bob Hastings, Joey Forman, and other sitcom stars are also on hand for lots of fun. And all of the above along with wonderful 1970-style clothes and music (think Love American Style) are just the backdrop for two stories which get intertwined.The main character, awkwardly naive Ensign Garland (Morse), is a typically Disney-style heroic blunderer who starts off over his head but comes out on top in his new Coast Guard assignment for harbor taskmaster Don Ameche. He gets to romance bright and ornery Stephanie Powers at the top of her sexual appeal and comic timing. Complicating matters are jewel thieves Phil Silvers, Mickey Shaughnessey, and drop-dead-deadpan Norman Fell. When they learn of the highway and airport dragnet set up to capture them, they seek an escape to Mexico via water. They rent a boat from Stephanie Powers who subsequently picks up on some unusual behaviors to become suspicious.None of it is terribly original, but this movie for family entertainment and some nice scenery (especially for male adults). It accomplishes these aspirations with many titters, giggles, and guffaws.

I woke up one morning to this on the TV and i carried on watching it, not because it was good, but because it was so bad! the acting is terrible, and its not actually funny! its awful! Stefanie Powers who plays Kate is the best bit because she is sexy! there is no other real reason to watch the film, unless you are suicidal! There are many flaws in the film, and its just rubbish! Its about an accident prone coastguard creates havoc at a boating marina but is thought of as a hero after catching the three dimwitted Jewel thieves, when its actually his girlfriend who catches them, not really that hard to do so!

I loved the movie I saw it on PBS in Canada Why haven't they made available on DVD yet. I hope Disney put movies on DVD soon.

I thought I had seen just about every Disney live action film from the 60's and 70's but I had never even heard of this one till I saw it on the shelf at the public library. I really enjoyed it. You've got your klutzy Coast Guard ensign Thomas Garland, a nice boating instructor girl who helps him out of his jams, and the very well-acted trio of jewel thieves. Plus some interesting minor characters as well. I particularly enjoyed watching Phil Silvers boss around his two crook associates and always seemed to get out of doing any work himself - it was very in character with his cheating and taking advantage of people in his other role I have seen, in It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. The only downside for me was that I usually watch films that have a lot of recognizable names (at least for a Disney live-action fan) and Silvers was the only one I could place, and not in a Disney film. I recognized the names of Mickey Shaughnessy, Norman Fell, and Don Ameche as Ensign Garland's superior but didn't know from where until I did some research. I give it an 8 for a very enjoyable story.