Lifeguard is a 1976 drama movie made by Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...

. It was directed by Daniel Petrie

Daniel Petrie

Daniel Mannix Petrie was a Canadian television and movie director.Petrie was born in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, the son of Mary Anne and William Mark Petrie, a soft-drink manufacturer. He moved to the United States in 1945...

, based upon a screenplay by Ron Koslow. It stars Sam Elliott

Sam Elliott

Samuel Pack "Sam" Elliott is an American actor. His rangy physique, thick horseshoe moustache, and deep, resonant voice match the iconic image of a cowboy or rancher, and he has often been cast in such roles.-Early life:Sam Elliott was born in Sacramento, California, to a physical training...

, Anne Archer

Anne Archer

Anne Archer is an American actress who has performed in feature films, television, and stage and was named Miss Golden Globe in 1971. Among her best known roles is that of Beth Gallagher in the 1987 movie Fatal Attraction, for which she received a nomination for an Academy Award.-Career:Archer's...

, Steve Burns, Parker Stevenson

Parker Stevenson

Parker Stevenson is an American television and film actor.-Career:His first notable screen appearance was a starring role in the 1972 movie A Separate Peace...

, and Kathleen Quinlan

Kathleen Quinlan

Kathleen Denise Quinlan is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated American actress, mostly seen on television and in motion pictures.-Personal life:...

.

Sam Elliott plays Rick Carlson, a 32-year-old lifeguard on a Southern California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

 beach who's prompted to question his goals in life when he receives an invitation to his 15-year high school reunion. At this reunion, he meets his high-school sweetheart, Cathy (played by Anne Archer), now the divorced mother of a young son. They resume their past relationship and Cathy encourages Rick to take a job as a Porsche

Porsche

Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....

 salesman, offered to him by another high-school classmate. Meanwhile, Rick must deal with Wendy (played by Kathleen Quinlan), a lonely teenage girl who has developed a crush on him.

Principal cast

• Sam Elliott
  Sam Elliott
  Samuel Pack "Sam" Elliott is an American actor. His rangy physique, thick horseshoe moustache, and deep, resonant voice match the iconic image of a cowboy or rancher, and he has often been cast in such roles.-Early life:Sam Elliott was born in Sacramento, California, to a physical training...
  
   as Rick Carlson
• Anne Archer
  Anne Archer
  Anne Archer is an American actress who has performed in feature films, television, and stage and was named Miss Golden Globe in 1971. Among her best known roles is that of Beth Gallagher in the 1987 movie Fatal Attraction, for which she received a nomination for an Academy Award.-Career:Archer's...
  
   as Cathy
• Stephen Young
  Stephen Young
  Stephen Young may refer to:* Stephen Marvin Young , Democratic United States Senator*Stephen Young , Canadian actor...
  
   as Larry
• Parker Stevenson
  Parker Stevenson
  Parker Stevenson is an American television and film actor.-Career:His first notable screen appearance was a starring role in the 1972 movie A Separate Peace...
  
   as Chris
• Kathleen Quinlan
  Kathleen Quinlan
  Kathleen Denise Quinlan is an Academy Award and Golden Globe-nominated American actress, mostly seen on television and in motion pictures.-Personal life:...
  
   as Wendy
• Steve Burns
  Steve Burns
  Steven Michael "Steve" Burns is an American entertainer. He is best known as the original host of the long-running children's television program Blue's Clues.-Early career:...
  
   as Machine Gun
• Sharon Weber
  Sharon Clark
  Sharon Clark is an American model and actress. She was Playboys Playmate of the Month for its August 1970 issue. Her centerfold was photographed by William Figge and Ed DeLong...
  
   as Tina
• Richard H. Campbell uncredited cameo