You ever watch a movie that feels like a giant, neon-colored soda commercial? That’s basically the vibe of For Those Who Think Young. Released in 1964, this movie didn’t just use a Pepsi slogan for its title; it lived and breathed the "Pepsi Generation" marketing machine. It’s a weird relic. Honestly, if you’re looking for a cinematic masterpiece, you’re in the wrong place. But if you want to see a time capsule of Southern California surf culture—filtered through the lens of middle-aged studio executives trying to act "cool"—this is your jam.
It’s got everything. Surfing. 1960s "it" girls. A pre-Gilligan Bob Denver. Even a very young Nancy Sinatra making her film debut.
What Really Happens in For Those Who Think Young
The plot is... well, it’s thin. Like, tissue-paper thin. We’ve got Gardner "Ding" Pruitt III, played by James Darren. He’s the classic rich college playboy with a surf addiction and a "Kustom" Buick Riviera designed by the legendary George Barris. Ding is obsessed with Sandy Palmer, played by Pamela Tiffin.
Here’s the kicker: Sandy is actually smart. She’s not just a bikini-clad extra; she’s an undergraduate who plays hard to get. Her guardian is "Uncle Woody," a comedian at the local Silver Palms club. The drama kicks off when Ding’s millionaire grandfather, E.J. Cronin, decides the Silver Palms is a den of iniquity. He wants to shut it down.
Naturally, the college kids aren't having it. They decide to blackmail the old man when they discover he used to be a bootlegger. It’s a very 1960s brand of "justice."
A Cast of Future Icons
The most fascinating part of watching this now isn't the story. It's the "before they were famous" factor.
- Nancy Sinatra: Before she had boots made for walkin', she was Karen Cross, one of the dorm girls.
- Tina Louise: Long before she was Ginger Grant on Gilligan's Island, she played Topaz McQueen, a stripper-turned-math-tutor. Yes, you read that right.
- Bob Denver: Speaking of the Island, Denver plays "Kelp," Ding’s eccentric sidekick. There’s a scene where he’s buried up to his nose in sand that is probably more famous than the movie itself.
- Ellen Burstyn: Credited as Ellen McRae, she plays a sociology professor. She’s essentially the moral compass in a movie about kids who don't want to go to class.
Why For Those Who Think Young Feels So Weird Today
Most "beach party" movies of this era came from American International Pictures (AIP). They were cheap, fast, and aimed squarely at teenagers. For Those Who Think Young was different. It was produced by United Artists with a bigger budget and higher production values. You can see it in the Techniscope cinematography and the crisp set designs.
But money can't buy "hip."
The movie feels a bit tone-deaf. The "kids" look like they're in their late 20s or early 30s. They wear suits on dates. They hang out at a club where a middle-aged stand-up comic (the real-life Woody Woodbury) tells jokes that feel like they belong in a Vegas lounge, not a surf shack.
It’s a movie for teenagers made by people who hadn't been teenagers since the Great Depression. That disconnect is exactly why it’s so fun to watch now. It’s an "alternate universe" version of the 60s where everything is perfectly clean, everyone drinks Pepsi, and the biggest problem in the world is a grandfather who doesn't like rock and roll.
The Product Placement King
We have to talk about the Pepsi of it all. The title is literally a Pepsi slogan. The characters are constantly seen with bottles of soda. It was cutting-edge marketing for 1964, but today it feels hilariously blatant. It’s like a 96-minute commercial that accidentally turned into a movie.
Where the Movie Actually Hits the Mark
For all its cheesiness, the film looks incredible. It was shot on location at Paradise Cove in Malibu and Occidental College in Los Angeles. The surf footage—though obviously featuring stunt doubles for the lead actors—captures that early 60s California dream perfectly.
The music is also a highlight. You get a performance by The Challengers, one of the most influential surf rock bands of the time. James Darren even sings the title track. If you’re a fan of the "West Coast Sound," the soundtrack alone makes the movie worth a look.
How to Appreciate This Classic (Sorta)
If you're going to dive into For Those Who Think Young, don't expect Citizen Kane. Go in for the vibes.
- Look at the cars: George Barris’s custom work is all over this thing. If you’re a gearhead, it’s a goldmine.
- Spot the cameos: Keep an eye out for George Raft and Robert Armstrong. These were huge stars from the 30s and 40s popping up in a "teen" movie.
- Check the fashion: The shift from the conservative 50s to the "Mod" 60s is happening right on screen. The swimsuits are conservative, but the energy is starting to shift.
Ultimately, For Those Who Think Young is a reminder of a very specific window in American culture. It’s the gap between the Eisenhower era and the Summer of Love. It’s innocent, a little bit corporate, and completely obsessed with the idea of "staying young."
To get the most out of your viewing, try to find the high-definition Blu-ray restoration. The colors in Techniscope are surprisingly vivid and do a lot to mask the thin script. If you’re a student of 1960s pop culture, this is required viewing—not because it's "good," but because it's such a perfect example of how Hollywood tried to package youth and sell it back to the public.
Stop looking for a deep message and just enjoy the surf, the soda, and the sight of Bob Denver in a sandpit. It's the only way to watch a movie like this.
Next Steps for the Retro Film Fan
- Compare the vibes: Watch this back-to-back with Beach Party (1963). Notice how the AIP version feels "dirtier" and more authentic to the teen experience, while the United Artists version feels like a high-end country club.
- Track the cast: Look up Ellen Burstyn’s later work in Requiem for a Dream. It is wild to see where she started compared to where she ended up.
- Listen to the surf: Find a playlist of The Challengers or The Bel-Airs. That instrumental surf sound is the real soul of this movie, even more than the actors.