On 27 Sep 1961, Var reported that director Vincent Sherman was interested in making a screen adaptation of Ira Wallach’s 1959 satirical novel Muscle Beach, but two years later, and the 7 Aug 1963 DV announced that film rights had since been picked up by Martin Ransohoff of Filmways, Inc. Wallach was attached to write the screenplay, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) set to distribute. The following day’s DV noted potential marketing conflict over the title with American International Pictures’ (AIP) identically named sequel to Beach Party (1963, see entry). Although AIP was not required to register the title with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), they proceeded with release of their film as Muscle Beach Party (see entry) in 1964.
       Development stalled for another two years until a 17 Mar 1965 DV article named Theodore J. Flicker as the new director of the Wallach project, which was now without a title. Flicker was slated to collaborate on the screenplay with Maurice Richlin, and the 8 Apr 1965 edition claimed Ann-Margret was in talks for a role. Around this time, the film was officially retitled Don’t Make Waves, and by the summer, items in the 7 Jul 1965 DV named Myrna Fahey as a possible star. The 13 Jul 1965 DV stated that script duties had shifted to Tom and Frank Waldman for director Blake Edwards.
       The trio’s attachment to the project was likely brief, however, since neither the Waldmans nor Edwards were mentioned in additional contemporary sources, and the following spring, items in the 27 Apr 1966 and 11 May 1965 Var confirmed the casting of Tony Curtis under director Alexander Mackendrick. Although an 8 Jul 1966 DV announcement suggested Sharon Tate was brought in as a replacement for Julie Newmar, an earlier edition published on 23 Feb 1966 indicated Tate was already associated with the project. The 7 Oct 1966 LAT claimed Charlie McCarthy would join his friend Edgar Bergen in an onscreen role, but only Bergen’s participation could be confirmed.
       Principal photography began 6 Jul 1966, as stated in a 15 Jul 1966 DV production chart. Filming took place at the MGM studio backlot in Culver City, CA, and on the Malibu coast. According to a 4 Oct 1966 LAT article, “Carlo Cofield’s” cliffside beach house was built three times to scale—twice on MGM’s Stage 30 (for a price of $75,000), and once on location. Additional miniatures used for the mudslide sequence cost $215,000. Principal photography likely concluded in mid-Oct 1966, as indicated by items in the 14 Sep 1966 Var and 11 Oct 1966 DV.
       On 27 Jul 1966, just a few weeks into production, skydiving photographer Bob Buquor died while performing a stunt to record footage of skydivers Leigh Hunt and James Dann, who were doubling for actors. According to an LAT report two days later, Buquor was expected to touch down on land, but was carried out to sea by a gust of wind and drowned due to the weight of his 35mm camera equipment. His body was recovered the following afternoon, some 225 yards offshore.
       IDon’t Make Waves was scheduled to premiere 9 Jun 1967 as part of Myrtle Beach, SC’s Sun Fun Festival, according to the 3 May 1967 Var. The New York City showcase engagement began 20 Jun 1967, followed by a Los Angeles opening on 2 Aug 1967. Reviews were largely negative.