"Baywatch"
Panic at Malibu Pier (1989)

Director:

Richard Compton

Writers (WGA):

Michael Berk (teleplay) &
Douglas Schwartz (teleplay) ...

TV Series:

"Baywatch" (1989)

Original Air Date:

23 April 1989 (Season 1, Episode 0)

Genre:

Drama | Action | Adventure

Plot:

Pilot of the popular syndicated series introduces a close-knit group of lifeguards at Baywatch, a Los Angeles beach...

Plot Keywords:

Beach | Sequel | Rescue | TV Series Pilot | Beautiful Woman

Cast

David Hasselhoff	...	Lt. Mitch Buchannon
Parker Stevenson	...	Craig Pomeroy
Shawn Weatherly	...	Jill Riley
Billy Warlock	...	Eddie Kramer
Erika Eleniak	...	Shauni McClain
Peter Phelps	...	Trevor Cole
Gina Hecht	...	Gina Pomeroy
Brandon Call	...	Hobie Buchannon
Monte Markham	...	Captain Don Thorpe
Mädchen Amick	...	Laurie Harris (as Madchen Amick)
Wendie Malick	...	Gayle Buchannon
Richard Jaeckel	...	Al Gibson
Nancy Valen	...	Hallie, Shauni's Brunette Friend
Michael McManus	...	Sid Wilson
Hope Marie Carlton	...	Trevor's Girl

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Malibu, California, USA

Company:

GTG Entertainment

Trivia:

Richard Jaeckel's character Al Gibson died in the first episode. However, Richard Jaeckel returned as Lt. Ben Edwards (1991-1992) for Season 2.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Witless Protection (2008)

Soundtrack:

Save Me

Watch it for Madchen Amick

If you like Baywatch, then you'll like this. As it is the first ever episode, it at least has some more plot development than the later episodes which were all about just showing off beach flesh. Madchen Amick made her screen debut in this (just after a small role in Star Trek TNG) and she looks just as stunning as she does in 'Twin Peaks.' She has a beauty in this that takes it to another level beyond the typical blond beach chick. She also adds a darker edge to the film as a disturbed girl who falls for one of the lifeguards. Strangely, this movie version does involve some topless shots of a woman being photographed (and also another saucy scene in a beach tent)which I cannot imagine the network could show at a prime time hour. Maybe these scenes were added for the video release.