Except for the flatulence jokes, "Arizona Summer" is as sterile as mountain rain water, a clean-minded, locally produced family movie about the zany — but not too zany — happenings at a summer camp in the Tonto National Forest. Imagine "Meatballs" on libido- inhibitors and you might be on to something.

Written and produced by Paradise Valley resident and former movie exhibitor Bill Blair (his sons, Brooke and Brent, also chipped in as producer and songwriter/actor, respectively), the movie is boldly unencumbered by artistic ambition. We see sack-races, innertube races and flag-football games; romantic rivalries and flirtations; misunderstandings, fights and hearty endorsements of fatherly love.

Very nice, but the mini-dramas that play out at Saguaro Ranch don't exactly keep us on the edge of our seats. Sensitive, smoldering Brooke (Scott Clifton) fancies fellow councelor Melissa (April Lunsford). Will he kiss her? Prank-prone 8-year-old Brent (Gemini Barnett) hates arrogant, tyrannical head councelor Mike (Shane Van Dyke). Will he slip something nasty into the jerk's cocoa? And so on. "American Beauty" it ain't.

Viewers are likely to experience a strong TV Land vibe while watching "Arizona Summer," as Brent and Brooke's frisky parents are played by Greg Evigan (“BJ and the Bear") and Morgan Fairchild (“Falcon Crest"). Lee Majors (“The Six Million Dollar Man"), looking decidely unbionic, plays the camp's kindly proprietor.

Blair and director Joey Travolta (yes,that Travolta) seem reluctant to acknowledge the painful truth: With the cast they've assembled, you better be making an Old Navy commercial, or playing up the kitsch, and "Arizona Summer" strikes out on both counts. On the bright, the young cast of unknowns flashes occasional glimpses of promise, in particular Lunsford, a sylph-like stunner who looks like she should be endorsing Italian perfume, not organizing sack-races.

Starring: Greg Evigan, Morgan Fairchild, Lee Majors, Scott Clifton
Rating: PG (crude humor)
Running time: 93 minutes
Playing: Opens Friday at theaters Valleywide