People

By Guy D. Garcia

Even without beads or bell-bottoms, she looks perfect for the part. But Chynna Phillips, 19, has more than good genes going for her when she plays her mother Michelle, 42, in the upcoming California Dreamin'. Based on the singer's 1986 book, the film is a flashback to her psychedelic heyday in the '60s as a member of the Mamas and the Papas. Chynna was exposed to the groovy life when her mom divorced co-Papa John Phillips and began sharing a pad with turn-ons like Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty. Chynna, who sings too, began her own acting career by appearing in Some Kind of Wonderful and The Invisible Kid, due in August. Her part in Dreamin' has exposed a generation gap, reports Michelle: "Chynna's only complaint so far is 'Mom, do I have to wear my hair long and all the same length?' " Confirms her daughter: "I think I'll be able to relate because I understand the era that she's from. We're both sunny, crazy people." Well, as they used to say -- right on.

With reporting by David E. Thigpen/New York, with other bureaus