Where the Boys Are 1984

The sun-kissed spring break getaway of four Penmore College pals - Carole Singer (Lorna Luft), Laurie Jameson (Lynn Holly-Johnson), Sandra Roxbury (Wendy Schaal), and Jennie Cooper (Lisa Hartman) - was set to be a liberating escape from the monotony of campus life. For Carole, it meant a much-needed break from her long-term beau Chip (Howard McGillin); Laurie hoped to trade academic rigor for a flirtatious fling with a charming stranger; Sandra, the group’s self-proclaimed perfectionist, was more interested in introducing her friends to her renowned cousin, Camden Roxbury III (Daniel McDonald), a celebrated composer who would be performing at a benefit concert in Fort Lauderdale. Jennie, a classical music major, saw this as an opportunity to indulge in her passion for music and meet the enigmatic Camden.

As they embarked on their journey, the women encountered a charismatic hitchhiker named Scott Nash (Russell Todd), who was traveling to promote his band, Scott Nash and the Ramblers. With his rugged good looks and charming demeanor, Scott won over the group with ease, particularly Jennie, whose gaze lingered on him as he departed to reunite with his bandmates.

Upon arriving in Fort Lauderdale, the friends were dismayed by their low-budget beachfront hotel’s lackluster amenities and grime-ridden quarters. Sandra, ever the pragmatist, decided to reach out to her aunt Barbara Roxbury (Louise Sorel), a wealthy socialite who resided on an estate in the city. Meanwhile, Barbara was awaiting her famous son Camden’s arrival at the airport, reminding him that he would be returning to his life of luxury in St. Tropez, France, as soon as the concert concluded.

On the sun-drenched beach, a charming police officer named Ernie Grasso (Asher Brauner) flirtatiously approached the group, prompting Sandra to advise her friends to focus their attention on more stable suitors - bankers, doctors, and lawyers. As the women settled into their beachside routine, they were poised for a spring break adventure that would test their friendships, temptations, and sense of self in the midst of Fort Lauderdale’s vibrant nightlife.

As the sun sets over the city, the group of friends, including Sandra (character name), Jennie, Barbara, and Camden, gather at the City Limits nightclub for an evening of music and revelry. The excitement is palpable as Scott, a talented musician, takes to the stage with his band. However, their night takes an unexpected turn when the club owner cancels their gig at the last minute, leaving Scott feeling frustrated and defeated.

As they attempt to salvage the evening, Sandra invites Barbara and Camden to join them, but the pretentious composer, who has a reputation for being overly critical, complains about the crowded rock scene. Meanwhile, Jennie is dismissive of Scott’s plight in front of Camden, which only adds to his annoyance. As the group watches Scott waiting tables instead of performing on stage, it becomes clear that he is struggling to come to terms with the sudden change.

As they make a brief appearance at the club and depart, the four friends are determined to have a good time and order more drinks. Jennie apologizes to Scott, and he offers to walk her back to the hotel after his shift. However, things take a turn for the worse as the women become increasingly intoxicated, and Sandra jumps on a table, taking off her clothes to the applause of the crowd.

In the aftermath of the chaos, Laurie pulls Sandra from the club, but they are soon arrested by Officer Grasso for reckless driving and disorderly conduct. As the sun rises over the city, Jennie and Scott take a stroll along the beach, enjoying a brief moment of intimacy before Jennie returns to her hotel. However, she soon discovers that Laurie and Sandra require $200 to post bail, setting off a chain of events that will test their friendships and challenge them to make amends.

In an effort to raise the necessary funds, Jennie persuades Carole, a former ballet dancer, to enter a “Hot Bod” dance contest. Unbeknownst to Carole, her boyfriend, Chip, has arrived in Ft. Lauderdale to spy on her, but he is shocked when she takes to the stage in a swimsuit and begins dancing with abandon. As Carole tries to explain about the bail money, Chip suggests they break up, leaving her feeling torn between her loyalty to him and her desire to help her friends.

As Camden (dressed in monogrammed finery) sauntered into the midst of a bikini-clad bevy, inviting Jennie and her entourage to a forthcoming cocktail soiree, Scott’s jealousy simmered like a slow-cooked stew. Jennie, ever the accommodating hostess, accepted with alacrity, much to Scott’s chagrin. Meanwhile, Carole’s fundraising efforts yielded only enough to spring one of their own from jail, prompting Sandra and Laurie to flip for freedom - Laurie emerged victorious, and Officer Grasso (aka Ernie) proved sympathetic, releasing Sandra as well. As the two women spent the day basking in the warmth of his affections, Sandra returned to the hotel room, her friends agog at her revelation: she had fallen head over heels in love with a married man.

The following day, the friends convened at the Roxbury estate for Camden’s swanky cocktail party. Laurie, meanwhile, arrived for a date with a dashing gentleman she’d dubbed “Conan” after spotting him sporting a leopard-print swimsuit on the beach. However, her excitement was short-lived; upon discovering his occupation as a male prostitute, she stormed out in disgust. As Scott broadcast the party’s location throughout Ft. Lauderdale, a horde of rowdy revelers descended upon the estate, seeking to crash the bash. Scott scoured the premises until he stumbled upon Jennie, perched at the piano with Camden, who was busily playing one of his compositions-in-progress. Scott offered words of encouragement, impressing Camden, but their conversation quickly turned acrimonious when Camden asked to be left alone to focus on his art. Scott took umbrage, branding Camden rude for treating Jennie like a hired hand. Jennie, exasperated by the behavior of both suitors, bid the party adieu. Scott gave chase, proclaiming his deeper affection for her than Camden’s.

The next day, the four friends reconvened on the beach, where Sandra beamed with satisfaction after a passionate night with Ernie. Jennie, however, appeared uncertain about her feelings towards Scott and Camden. At that evening’s benefit concert, Barbara proudly introduced her son to the crowd - instead of joining their friends in the audience, Sandra opted to linger at the hotel, waiting for Ernie’s call. When it failed to materialize, she set off on a solo drive to his residence, only to discover he had temporarily reconciled with his wife. Her affair with Ernie thus terminated, Sandra arrived at the concert a tearful wreck.

As the evening’s entertainment reaches its climax, Camden takes a bold step forward, debuting his latest creation, “Suite for Jennie.” But just as the audience is entranced by the soothing melodies, Scott (played with infectious energy) bursts onto the scene, commandeering the spotlight with his synthesizer and dedicating a soulful tribute to Jennie. The sudden influx of sound drowns out Camden’s piano, leaving him no choice but to abandon his solo and join forces with Scott and his band. As the crowd erupts into a thunderous standing ovation, Scott makes a beeline for Jennie, showering her with affection.

In the aftermath of the concert, Chip and Carole (Carole) put aside their differences and mend fences. Meanwhile, Laurie delivers an unexpected curveball by making a pass at Camden, leaving everyone in attendance stunned. As the dust settles, the four women embark on the return journey to Penmore College the next day, only to be surprised once more when they come across Scott thumbing for a ride along the side of the road. With no hesitation, they offer him a spot in their vehicle, welcoming him into their fold.