Muscle Beach (novel)
| Industry | Novelty sales |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Muscle Beach is a novel published in 1959 by the American author Ira Wallach. It was reissued in paperback form in 1967 under the alternative title Don't Make Waves.
Plot
Carlo Cofield, a restless veteran of World War II residing in New York City, is employed by the Atlantic Novelty Company and often visits the Treble Bar. After spontaneously proposing a sale to a client on Long Island for Seaspray Swimming Pools, he earns a transfer to their Los Angeles branch. During his flight to the West Coast, Carlo removes his necktie, symbolizing a new beginning. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, he encounters Vic Salter along with his chimpanzee Simeon, then meets songwriter Prescott Tom and his sister Toby, who introduces him to the community of beach bodybuilders. Although Carlo initially courts the alluring Jocelyn, he eventually finds satisfaction with Toby.
Film adaptations
The book was transformed into the 1967 motion picture Don't Make Waves, directed by Alexander Mackendrick and featuring performances by Tony Curtis, Sharon Tate, and Claudia Cardinale. The screenplay was penned by Ira Wallach himself; comedian Mort Sahl also appears in a small role.
Reception
Ira Wallach, recognized for his collaboration with Peter Ustinov on the screenplay of Hot Millions, saw his 1959 novel turned into the 1967 film Don't Make Waves, starring Tony Curtis and Claudia Cardinale.
Critical response to the novel was largely favorable. The New York Times Book Review described Wallach as "one of the deftest satirists" and "a master of parody." Conversely, Kirkus Reviews expressed reservations, suggesting that Wallach's attempt at verbal humor did not measure up to writers like Peter De Vries.
Both hardcover and paperback editions continue to be sold through outlets such as Amazon, where it enjoys strong five-star ratings, while Goodreads.com provides a more moderate evaluation.
See also
External links
- The Life, Death, and Rebirth of Muscle Beach: Reassessing the Muscular Physique in Postwar America, 1940s–1980s – Contains multiple references to both the novel and its film adaptation.