My parents introduced me to many obscure films when I was growing up. 1981’s Harry’s War, 1984’s Tank, 1989’s Dream Team, and 1991’s Necessary Roughness, to name just a few. They weren’t necessarily of classic caliber, hence their obscurity. But there was plenty to like about them. And there is one film in particular that they showed me, which kind of reminded me of The Karate Kid in some ways, but it went in a different direction.

Description of the Movie

This is unlike any Forgotten Film Gems article I’ve ever done before because this one is so thoroughly forgotten that even I can’t remember what it’s called. Instead of reviewing it, I’m going to ask for your help in finding it. I believe it was made in the 1970s, and there are no famous actors I can recall starring in it. Here is what I remember. See if any of it rings a bell.

A teenage boy moves to a new town and gets bullied by a bigger boy. He starts to fall in love with a nice girl, and the two share a disco dance together at a party one night. At the climax, the boy races against his bully in his car on a beach, and one of their cars crashes, pinning a passenger inside as the tide is rising. I don’t remember who is trapped inside, but I do know it’s not the bully because he has a change of heart and helps in the effort to flag down a driver to help them save the passenger who’s in danger of drowning.

Ring a Bell?

For weeks, I’ve been racking my brain trying to figure out what that movie might be called or how to find it. I’ve looked through dozens of TV movies made in the 1970s, but none of them fit. I asked my family if any of them remember watching it or if they have a clue what I’m talking about, and they couldn’t help me.

So now I turn to my wonderful readers, and the Internet at large, to see if you might be able to find something that continues to elude me. Does any part of the description I recall of the film ring a bell? If so, please let me know in a comment below. Thank you!

This is the Deja Reviewer bidding you farewell until we meet again.

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