Shag

Shag

Year: 1989

Runtime: 98 min

Language: English

Director: Zelda Barron

DramaComedyRomance

Four friends head to Myrtle Beach for a liberating getaway, seeking escape and self-discovery. Carson faces an upcoming marriage, Melaina dreams of Hollywood, Pudge grapples with self-doubt, and Luanne confronts repressed desires. As they navigate sun-soaked adventures and quiet reflection, the group strengthens their bond, ultimately learning to embrace who they truly are.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Shag (1989)

Trace every key event in Shag (1989) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Four friends escape to Myrtle Beach for a summer festival

Four teenage girlfriends—Carson, Melaina, Luanne, and Pudge—flee their parents for a few days to enjoy a big summer festival in Myrtle Beach. They set up at Luanne's family vacation home and look forward to dancing, a beauty pageant, and time with cute boys. The mood is carefree, but the weekend will test their friendships and dreams.

Summer 1963 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
2

Melaina's club hookup leads to an attack by rival girls

At a club, Melaina hooks up with a guy but is followed by two local girls who attack her, dousing her with shaving cream. The assault stems from jealousy over a beauty contest rumor she overheard earlier, setting a tense tone for the weekend. The incident foreshadows the social games the girls will face.

Night Myrtle Beach club
3

Buzz flirts with Carson; shag lessons begin

Buzz flirts with Carson, despite her engagement to Harley, pulling her toward a forbidden attraction. Back at the base, Pudge agrees to teach Chip the shag, and the two begin lessons as the others watch and chat.

Evening Myrtle Beach car-hop area and vacation home
4

Carson calls Harley, keeping the weekend secret

Carson phones her fiancé Harley from Myrtle Beach, telling him she’s there but not admitting she’s gone out with another guy. The call reveals the weekend’s growing tension between loyalty and desire and foreshadows future heartbreak.

Night Carson's Myrtle Beach base
5

First shag lesson; Chip arrives late but joins in

During the first shag lesson, Chip arrives before Pudge is ready, but she helps him quickly and they begin dancing. The shared moment sparks a tentative connection as they get to know each other.

Evening Luanne’s vacation home
6

Melaina rehearses; Gone with the Wind lines replace pageant prep

Melaina starts rehearsing for the beauty pageant, but Luanne interrupts and convinces her to recite lines from Gone with the Wind instead. The swap reflects the girls’ tactical plotting to outshine rivals. The mood remains playful but edged with competition.

Night Luanne's home
7

Pageant night: Melaina loses to Suette

The pageant competition unfolds with Melaina, under Luanne’s direction for modesty, losing to Suette. The loss heightens the stakes and confirms how the girls’ plans are influencing the outcomes. Harley’s arrival during the contest further complicates Carson’s loyalties.

Evening Myrtle Beach pavilion
8

Melaina redeems with bikini-dance and wins

Later that night, Melaina performs a bold bikini dance that defies the previous modest expectations and shocks the crowd. The routine earns her the win and a surge of confidence as the weekend’s pageant drama continues. The victory also opens doors with a potential agent.

Late night Myrtle Beach pavilion
9

The house party draws Jimmy Valentine; the celebrity angle intensifies

Melaina arranges to bring Jimmy Valentine to the house party by hinting at her senator father’s name. The invitation pulls in Jimmy’s agent and turns the gathering into a heady, chaotic scene.

Night Luanne's house
10

Confessions and shifting relationships at the pavilion

Pudge and Melaina head to the pavilion to meet Jimmy’s agent, while Carson grows closer to Buzz and Luanne and Harley begin to acknowledge their own feelings. The shifting affections are visible as the group moves through the contest events.

Evening Pavilion
11

Revelations aboard the yacht and the fallout

The group moves back from the contest to confrontations about loyalty. Carson confesses she cannot marry Harley because she loves Buzz, and Luanne reveals their yacht tryst. Tension erupts as Harley's anger surfaces, but Luanne tries to ease the hurt.

Night Luanne's father's yacht; surrounding areas
12

Winners and endings: career, romance, and independence

Chip and Pudge win the shag contest and vow to keep in touch as Chip heads to Annapolis. Melaina impresses the agent and begins a potential career. Luanne ends up with Harley, and Carson realizes she can be happy without marriage.

End of weekend Pavilion / house vicinity

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:36

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Shag Summary

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