"Serial" is a bright, upbeat comedy that does an excellent job of satirizing some of the tropes of sunny southern California of the period, focusing on one fad-crazed bunch in particular. The only "normal" one in the group is the flustered Harvey Holroyd (a likeable Martin Mull, in his first starring role), who has to navigate his way among all these trendy "types" (played by - among others - Sally Kellerman, Peter Bonerz, Nita Talbot, Pamela Bellwood, Barbara Rhoades, and the ever-adorable Tuesday Weld, who plays Harvey's wife Kate).

Based on a novel by Cyra McFadden, and scripted by TV veterans Rich Eustis & Michael Elias, "Serial" offers on-target jabs at its subjects without ever being particularly mean-spirited. It's hard to resist, especially with such a talented cast playing these characters. Also putting in appearances are Bill Macy, Tom Smothers, Stacey Nelkin, Clark Brandon, Robin Sherwood, Mark L. Taylor, Rosanna DeSoto, Peter Horton, and Scott Paulin. My personal favorite cast member was the great Sir Christopher Lee; although his role is relatively minor, it's also one of the unlikeliest of his career, and it's nice to see him cast against type (and equally interesting to see him playing an American).

The surefooted direction is by Bill Persky, the wonderful cinematography by Rexford L. Metz. A definite highlight is the priceless orgy scene, although the finale is lively and a real hoot as well.

This has been overlooked for a long time, so people looking for Hollywood diamonds in the rough are advised to check it out.

Seven out of 10.

A nifty helping of the hip, groovy, state-of-the-art New Age fads, trends and lifestyles that germinated in the late '60s and early '70s are poked heap big fun at in this Marin-located comedy from 1980 when they were really coming of age.

Health food, New Age philosophy, yoga, Tantric sex, ridiculously understanding shrinks and ditzy ministers, orgies, religious cults, hip sexual affairs are all given their moments in the sun - and the resulting liver and whey shake is a hoot...at least to me.

The nudity quotient, while nice could have been, well, nicer. But what a bevy of cool babes here, most of whom have some sort of nudes scene, albeit brief! The cast includes such faves as Tuesday Weld, Pam Bellwood, Sally Kellerman andlesser known but equally babacious talents as Patch Mackenzie and Ann Weldon.

Martin Mull and Bill Macy try to figure it all while Tommy Smothers and Christopher Lee, in a couple examples of brilliantly offbeat casing add to this quiche.

I really liked this offbeat little time capsule gem.

Satire on late 70s views of sex, relationships and marriage focusing on a bunch of couples in California. Good cast and some good acting (Martin Mull is hilarious and Christopher Lee is surprisingly good at comedy) but not a good movie. The script is only so-so...there are scattered laughs but most of the jokes are unfunny and fall with a thud. Also if you don't have a good knowledge of the late 70s or lived through it (like me), most of the jokes won't make sense. Also there's evidence of a LOT of pre-release cutting--the film is only 86 minutes, many scenes end abruptly, certain things are mentioned that we're not aware of and (for some reason) a gay motorcycle gang is thrown in...and then nothing is done with them! Plays like an R-rated sitcom. Also contains some mild homophobia. Almost worth seeing for the cast...ALMOST!