The Hollywood Knights

As the opening credits roll, the unmistakable voice of Surf Sam (Dave Sebastian Williams) of KBLA radio station booms through the speakers, setting the tone for a Halloween night like no other in 1965. With mere hours until the witching hour, Tubby's Drive-In, the hangout spot of the Hollywood Knights, is poised to bid farewell, its doors closing for good as the sun dips below the horizon. Meanwhile, an errant egg splatters against the name of director Floyd Mutrux, a harbinger of chaos and mischief to come.

As the clock strikes evening, Newbomb Turk (Robert Wuhl), leader of the Knights, concocts a prank worthy of his reputation, involving a deceased body and a borrowed 1965 El Camino from his older brother. The ruse is soon discovered by an unsuspecting elderly woman, leaving her bewildered and the Knights in stitches.

Nearby, Sally (Fran Drescher) and her friends are soaking up the sun by the poolside, their tans glistening like polished jewels. Newbomb, ever the opportunist, seizes the moment to capture their radiant complexions on film, only to be chased off by the sudden realization that he's not alone.

As night begins to fall, Officer Bimbeaux (Gailard Sartain) and Officer Clark (Sandy Helberg) pay a visit to the police chief, who cautions them against agitating the situation surrounding Tubby's impending closure. Little do they know, the Knights have already left their mark on the patrol car, leaving a colorful calling card in the form of spray paint.

In a separate corner of town, the Beverly Hills Residents Association convenes at the home of Jacqueline Friedman (Leigh French), where Bimbeaux and Clark engage in a heated debate over popular music in the kitchen. Meanwhile, outside, a surprise awaits Jacqueline and her clandestine lover Nevans (Richard Schaal) on their porch: a flaming bag of dog waste, courtesy of the mischievous Knights, who moon them from their vehicle as they speed away.

As the night wears on, three members of the Knights – Wheatly (Randy Gornel), Shorty (Glenn Withrow), and Simpson (P.R. Paul) – gather at Tubby's Drive-In restaurant to discuss their plans for the evening. Newbomb ponders the wisdom of borrowing his brother's prized El Camino, while Simpson promises to bring his custom rail job car along for the ride.

In a separate vehicle, Officers Bimbeaux and Clark continue their musical discussion, with Clark waxing poetic about Lawrence of Arabia and its iconic soundtrack – much to the dismay of his partner. The two cops are oblivious to the chaos that awaits them as they navigate the mean streets of Watts.

As the clock strikes 2:00 am, the Knights' four club pledges stand naked, stripped bare both physically and emotionally, as they're tasked with retrieving four tires from a trunk. The initiation ritual requires a trip back to Tubby's Drive-In by dawn, with Surf Sam (Dave Sebastian Williams) handing off the KBLA broadcast duties to Doctor J (Humble Harvey Miller), setting the stage for an unforgettable Halloween night in 1965.

As the Knights regroup in their secret hideout, a sturdy tree provides a temporary sanctuary from prying eyes. The anticipation of Sally's arrival with her cohorts is palpable, as they prepare to shed their humble attire for something more alluring. However, Newbomb's hapless attempt to balance himself results in a catastrophic blunder: he inadvertently reveals the girls' bras, prompting them to make a hasty exit as police sirens begin to wail in the distance. Meanwhile, Bimbeaux takes on the task of reading out the Knights' names.

At Smitty's Auto Shop, adjacent to Tubby's Drive-In, Duke (Tony Danza) and his girlfriend Suzie Q (Michelle Pfeiffer), a charming carhop waitress at the drive-in, engage in a lively discussion about her upcoming screen test and the challenges of balancing her acting career with her part-time job. Duke laments the unwanted attention he receives from men making wisecracks about Suzie's striking looks, while she argues that it's her duty to tolerate such behavior.

As the evening unfolds, the Iron Box Twins, Brenda and Shirley Weintraub (Joyce Heiser, Roberta Wallach), pull into Tubby's for a bite to eat, only to be spared the embarrassment of encountering Newbomb, notorious for his flatulent rendition of "Volare." Jimmy Shine (Gary Graham) shares stories about his impending deployment to Vietnam with Duke and Smitty (James Jeter), their wise mentor. Moosie (Moosie Drier), a young thrill-seeker with a passion for skateboarding, makes an appearance, only to be reprimanded by the authorities for carrying cigarettes. His luck changes when he hitched a ride with some of the girls in their sleek convertible. Sally takes off into the sunset with a college-aged suitor, leaving Newbomb to nurse his wounded pride.

Later that evening, as Newbomb cruises down Hollywood Boulevard, he proudly displays the photographs he took of the girls at the pool. Ignoring warnings from his friends, he parks his iconic El Camino by a fire hydrant outside the high school before making his way to the pep rally. Unbeknownst to him, Jacqueline brings her husband Jack (Garry Goodrow) onstage with local weatherman Thorny Thornwell (Will Thornbury), setting the stage for an electrifying performance. As the band takes the floor and a banner proclaiming "Beat the Panthers" unfurls, the Knights' mischievous handiwork is revealed in bold letters, emblazoned with a cheeky message ("shit out of the") that adds a touch of rebellious flair to the proceedings.

Meanwhile, Dudley Laywicker (Stuart Pankin), an endearingly awkward individual, and his overbearing mother (Mina Kolb) make their way to the rally, driven by Dudley's eagerness to receive his honor student check for $500, a sum that will cover his first year of college tuition. Despite his initial hesitation, he dons his band uniform with pride, refusing to be swayed by his mother's suggestion to stop for dinner along the way – a decision fueled by his fear of ridicule from the restaurant staff.

As Jacqueline (character name not provided) indulges in a passionate moment with Nevans in their parked vehicle, Dudley's sudden arrival disrupts the intimate atmosphere. With an air of nonchalance, Dudley requests Jacqueline's opinion on which magic trick to perform at the evening's talent contest, oblivious to Nevans' attempt to conceal himself in the back seat. However, Neville's trousers are spotted by Dudley, prompting Jacqueline to hastily conjure an excuse. In a comedic turn of events, Dudley inadvertently activates the car horn, causing it to jam and emit a persistent, ear-piercing shriek. Jacqueline shooed him away, seeking to restore some semblance of normalcy.

Meanwhile, back at the rally, one of the Beverly Hills cheerleaders (character name not provided) unwittingly forgets her undergarments, flashing the crowd during a spirited cheer routine. The officers, in hot pursuit of the El Camino, arrive on the scene and issue a summons to impound the vehicle. In response, some of the Knights in hiding - including Newbomb and his cohorts - resort to subterfuge, attempting to mislead the authorities by singing a rousing rendition of "Lawrence of Arabia" in Clark's (character name not provided) signature style.

As the evening wears on, Jack Friedman announces Dudley's imminent arrival onstage to collect his scholarship check. However, Newbomb seizes the opportunity to take center stage, donning Dudley's uniform and launching into an unforgettable performance of "Volare," replete with flatulence-filled flair. In a daring escape, he outruns security and makes good his exit. The other Knights inform him that Bimbeaux has impounded the El Camino, prompting them to speed away, leaving Dudley stranded and scrambling to retrieve his discarded clothing.

In a separate thread of events, two pledges hiding in the bushes outside a couple's residence (realizing they are engaging in intimate activities) find themselves face-to-face with an unexpected reality. Meanwhile, their fellow comrades, donning makeshift attire fashioned from white sheets on the clothesline, struggle to navigate the scene and ultimately arrive at the record store, only to be stumped by the challenge of reaching the deejay.

As Newbomb returns to Tubby's Drive-In in his family's trusty station wagon - affectionately dubbed the "pie wagon" due to its connection to their local bakery business - he conceals himself beneath it when his older brother (Demetre Phillips) arrives, hot on the trail of the El Camino. The brothers engage in a tense standoff, with Newbomb feigning indifference until the coast is clear and he can rejoin his fellow Knights.

As the Iron Box Twins engage in a hushed discussion about a tantalizing rumor surrounding the Friedmans' daughter within the confines of the women's restroom, they unwittingly stumble upon an unexpected eavesdropper - Newbomb, who has cleverly hidden away to record their conversation on tape. Meanwhile, surfer dude Tarzan (Gary Prendergast) arrives at Tubby's with his two ravishing blonde companions, Jane (Carol Ann Williams) and Cheetah (Debra Feuer), in tow. As they cruise around the neighborhood in their custom Woody, Newbomb attempts to capitalize on the opportunity to score a feel but is met with a retaliatory milkshake attack instead.

Concurrently, Simpson and Wheatly engage in a high-stakes racing competition against another souped-up vehicle, only to be bested and left to ponder the future of their esteemed Knights organization as some members prepare to venture off to Vietnam or college. Wheatly reassures Simpson that he can ride shotgun with him and the Knights will remain an unbreakable unit.

As if fate had conspired to bring chaos to the high school dance, a catering van makes its way onto the scene, and the Knights orchestrate a plan to pilfer the punch being delivered. Newbomb manipulates the situation by convincing the caterers to detour through the hibiscus gardens, citing the impending construction of the Newbomb Turk Memorial Library as reason enough to take the scenic route. In a nod to their beloved Tubby's hangout spot, the Knights decide to spike the punch with a special ingredient - their own brand of urine-laced concoction.

As Moosie frantically warns attendees about the questionable beverage, Bimbeaux and Clark catch him with a cigarette and encourage everyone to indulge in the mysterious drink. Jacqueline and Nevans take it upon themselves to investigate the strange goings-on at the punch bowl, prompting an emergency response from the authorities as the situation spirals out of control.

Meanwhile, Jane and Cheetah concoct another scheme, this time targeting Dudley's wardrobe once more by flashing him in a bid to borrow his clothes. Newbomb and the other Knights orchestrate yet another ambush on Dudley, relieving him of his attire. As Dudley requests that Newbomb handle the rented magician's cape with care before heading off to the talent show, Shorty cleverly switches out the PA system backstage, replaying the incriminating recording of the Iron Box Twins' conversation for the audience to enjoy - much to their collective embarrassment and the dismay of emcee Jack.

As Simpson assures Dudley that he'll be back shortly to reclaim his rail job, instructing him to remain in situ while he navigates his unexpected absence without essential attire - including his spectacles and trusty puffer. Meanwhile, Jack Friedman announces the next talent contestant, the enigmatic Mr. Sasha Dabinski, a virtuosic One-Armed Violinist. Unbeknownst to the audience, this charismatic performer is actually Wheatly, accompanied by Newbomb at the piano; cleverly hiding one arm within his waistband, Wheatly masterfully manipulates the violin with his chin, rasping a soulful solo with his free hand before seizing the bow at his crotch.

As Jacqueline and Nevans venture beyond the confines of their vehicle to indulge in an amorous escapade on a trampoline, they unwittingly converge with Dudley, stumbling around in the darkness without his spectacles, inadvertently locking them out of their car. Nearby, Sally politely rebuffs her college beau, Dark, in favor of Newbomb's affections, and the pair heads to the tantalizing pie wagon.

The party at Sally's house is well underway, with some of the Knights, Dudley, Tarzan, a Tubby's car hop or two, and various other revelers gathered around. As the merriment reaches its peak, several participants shed their inhibitions - and attire - before leaping into the backyard swimming pool. In the garage, Newbomb and Sally prepare to indulge in a romantic escapade within his vehicle, but Newbomb's anticipation proves too great to contain, leading to an unexpected premature ejaculation. While Sally expresses disappointment at his immaturity, Newbomb finds solace in the release.

Across town, at Smitty's Auto Shop, Smitty and Duke, along with their coworkers, unveil a custom car as a heartfelt going-away gift for Jimmy Shine. Their guest, renowned custom car expert Tony Nancy, joins the men to showcase a tape deck inside playing the iconic Mamas and the Papas tune 'California Dreaming' - a poignant choice that resonates deeply with Jimmy as he contemplates his impending deployment.

As the clock strikes 1:00 am, the scene shifts back to South-Central Watts. Two local ne'er-do-wells are caught red-handed stripping tires from a parked vehicle just as four pledges (now clad in dresses pilfered from another homeowner's clothesline) pass by with their own ill-gotten gains - the very same tires liberated from the Knights' car. The homeowners, misinformed and hot on the trail, give chase... blissfully unaware that they're actually pursuing a group of innocent teens.

As Smitty regales his fellow mechanics with tales of war-time escapades, including the daring stunt he pulled off alongside Grease, the ghosts of combat past begin to stir. The memory of their friend's untimely demise in a drunken crash only serves to underscore the tragedy that is war. Meanwhile, back at the shop, Jimmy Shine reveals his own concerns about the uncertain fate that awaits him in Vietnam, but his comrades reassure him not to dwell on the unknown.

Across town, the pledges find themselves at a crossroads, deciding whether to take a chance on a group of street corner crooners who promise to deliver their song dedication to the deejay. With time running out before they must return to Beverly Hills, the boys are left with little choice but to roll the dice and hope for the best.

Back at Tubby's, the tension is palpable as officers Bimbeaux and Clark receive a tongue-lashing from their captain over the radio. But despite the chastisement, Bimbeaux can't resist goading Newbomb about the impounded El Camino, prompting the latter to exact revenge when the officer steps away for a moment. Shorty springs into action, using his trusty screwdriver to fix the bathroom doorknob, while Tarzan crafts a makeshift potato-shaped addition to the patrol car's tailpipe. As Clark waits patiently in the driver's seat, he takes it upon himself to add a dashing fake mustache to his face using a marker.

Bimbeaux, meanwhile, is oblivious to the chaos that awaits him as he enters the bathroom and inadvertently unleashes a torrent of toilet paper-fueled water onto the floor. As he frantically calls for help, Clark takes matters into his own hands, using his service pistol to blast off the doorknob. Bimbeaux emerges from the bathroom, only to find himself sliding across the trash-strewn floor and ruining his uniform in the process.

Just as things seem to be reaching a boiling point, Simpson arrives on the scene, having secured a romantic tryst with one of Tubby's carhop sirens. Dudley seizes the opportunity to jump into the fray, pretending to be afflicted with epilepsy and dodging the pursuing officers with ease before hailing a ride with Simpson's rail job. When the police attempt to give chase once more, they find themselves careening into another vehicle.

As the clock strikes 2:00 am at the local drive-in, Jimmy Shine passes on his Knights jacket to Dudley, entrusting him to watch over it until he returns from Vietnam. Later, when the Knights suggest retrieving their stranded pledges in Watts, Dudley initially panics before finding a newfound sense of determination. Taking one final drag on his puffer and discarding it, he readies himself for the task at hand.

As the sun dips below the horizon, Duke and Suzie finally share a heartfelt conversation. With vulnerability and sincerity, she confesses that her feelings for him surpass even her own screen test ambitions. Duke, overcome with concern, reveals his fear that if she pursued acting, he might not be good enough to keep up with her aspirations. However, Suzie's words of reassurance soothe his doubts, and the couple rekindles their romance with a tender kiss.

Meanwhile, on KBLA radio, Doctor J makes an unexpected announcement during the Halloween broadcast, as the street corner singers coincidentally arrive at the station just in time. The four pledges, fresh from Tubby's parking lot, are awarded their coveted Knights jackets as the requested song brings the evening to a close. As Jimmy Shine prepares to bid farewell and depart for Vietnam, he shares a poignant moment with Smitty, who has served as a paternal figure to him.

Newbomb extends an invitation to Sally, promising to stay in touch after graduation when she'll be pursuing her studies at UCLA. Dudley, however, can't resist the urge to confide in his mother from a payphone, boasting about his upcoming assignation and anticipating a night of intimacy. Her fainting spell is a testament to her maternal devotion.

In a separate corner of town, Jacqueline and Nevans are still reeling from the aftereffects of the spiked punch at the Halloween party. As they sit parked outside her home in Nevans' car, she reassures him that her husband's intoxication will keep him oblivious to their situation. Just as they're trying to compose themselves, the police give chase to the Knights, and a patrol car crashes into Nevans' vehicle. In the ensuing chaos, Jack appears, only to find Newbomb, Dudley, Simpson, and the Knights mooning all, with Jacqueline and Nevans caught in the midst of it.

As the credits roll, Tubby's Drive-In shuts off its lights for the final time, marking the end of an era.