THE ASTOR REVIEW

As a satire of a certain kind of Southern California lifestyle it was ahead of its time. Astrology, numerology, exercise, body-building, vegetarianism, non-smoking, environmental allergies, animal rights, contemporary art and architecture are all parodied or touched on here, and all became joke punchlines in the ’50s and ’60s – until these ‘isms’ became part of mainstream culture. The boys flex their muscles and the girls tend their … er… garden. Predating the Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello frolics ten years later in Muscle Beach Party etc. Athena is good fun and well made. The muscle contest at the end to the tune “Jealousy” is well coded with beefcake antics… and all filmed from what might be called the bulging cossie angle. Hilarious! Watch out for Steve Reeves (referenced in Rocky Horror). Rare 35mm original Technicolor print.

IMDB SYNOPSIS

Attorney, Purdom, and singer, Damone, romance two sisters, Reynolds and Powell, who live with and are strongly influenced by eccentric, health oriented and star gazing grandparents.