Michael Palin drew on his own memories of family holidays in grey, provincial seaside resorts for this coming of age comedy set in the late 1950s. Sleepy, ultra-respectable Suffolk might suit his parents, but sitting in deckchairs and visiting local churches is not 17-year-old Richard’s idea of fun. In this holiday hell he meets fellow teenager, Edwin – young, good-looking and girl-crazy, and willing to take the naïve Richard under his wing… Escaping the seaside stalag B&B and its gargoyle of a landlady, as well as the gruesome couple whom his parents have invariably befriended, Richard joins Edwin in a desperate search for excitement in this stuffy coastal town. Soon, a gorgeous young woman who instantly ignites his imagination, a feisty young Dutch girl and a group of local bikers, make the holiday an eye-opening experience as Richard finally discovers love, lust and the joy of jazz cafés.
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