The Rosebud Beach Hotel

The Rosebud Beach Hotel, a comedy originally released in 1984, is a frothy and endearing comedy with a charm that peaks through the seams of its giddy silliness. The film stars renowned actors Colleen Camp, Peter Scolari, and the indelible Christopher Lee, a name synonymous with horror movies but considerably lighthearted in this 80s comedy.

The storyline, which centers around a motley crew of characters running a failing beachfront hotel, enables the screenwriter to exploit many standard elements of the screwball comedy genre, including mistaken identities, comically extravagant caricatures, and a penchant for all things absurd. Set in the eponymous Rosebud Beach Hotel, these colorful personalities mesh together creating a seaside comic opera that leaves viewers shaking their heads and chuckling quietly with amusement.

Peter Scolari stars as Tracy, a young man who has just inherited the Rosebud Beach Hotel following the puzzling death of his parents. In a bid to turn things around for the run-down hotel, Tracy is forced to manage an array of wild, complex, and undeniably funny staff members. Offering a light-hearted and humorous performance, Scolari weaves through the web of eccentric hotel employees with unending optimism and ingenuity.

Colleen Camp, widely known for her versatile talent in various genres of film, plays the role of Linda, the hotel receptionist. Spunky and vivacious, Linda is a central character in the story. Camp presents a brilliant performance as Linda, with her comedic timing and delivery propelling the humor throughout the film.

And how could one overlook the enigmatic and versatile Christopher Lee? Straying away from his usual roles, Lee plays ‘The Chef', quite a departure from the terror-inducing characters he’s typically associated with. As the hotel's cook, Lee crafts a bizarre character whose eccentricity is only heightened by his perplexing gourmet creations. Here, he delineates the level of absurdity only a character in this mystical screwball universe can encapsulate.

An intriguing character is the hotel's handyman, though possibly ‘not-so-handy’, played by the inimitable Eddie Deezen. His character provides an additional comedic layer to the absurdity of the plot. It's more than a novelty act to see Deezen in his element: he's an essential cog in this madcap tale, providing more laughs per minute as the storyline unfolds.

Equally entertaining and uproarious is the pool of unique guests staying at the hotel. This parade of oddball visitors gives the film the permission to explore different comedic scenarios, all contributing to a heightened sense of hilarity as the story progresses.

The screenplay by James Dalessandro seems to celebrate the peculiarities of the characters, finding humor in unexpected places. This delightfully oddball script coupled with Harry Hurwitz's adept direction skillfully ties together the assorted threads of the story. Hurwitz ensures that the performances are nicely balanced and that the comedy elements harmonize effectively within the narrative fabric.

The Rosebud Beach Hotel enjoys a lively soundtrack that enhances the comedic tone of the film. Notably, the cinematography is also noteworthy, stylishly framing the absurdity within the bounds of the Rosebud Beach Hotel.

This film is an excellent example of comedy delivered with supreme confidence. The bumbling mannerisms, goofy dialogues, and slapstick humor are fully embraced by the film's cast, reflecting the offbeat humor that was de rigueur in the 80s. While the humor may be somewhat dated, it nonetheless exudes a charm that is both nostalgic and, admittedly, a bit infectious.

In conclusion, The Rosebud Beach Hotel is an endearing comedy from the 1980s with a cast that offers unique performances, successfully steering the story within the realms of hilarity despite the seemingly tumultuous plot. These skilled performances, coupled with the infectious charm of the beach hotel setting, make this film a delightful classic that can offer a good time with lots of laughter to anyone in the mood for some vintage comedy.