My number 9 favorite film is a film that somehow has been lost in time.
It is hard to find for home viewing (I found it), and is rarley shown on TV.
Maybe it is the subject at the end of the film. It would probably not be made today, not because of the full movie but because of the end of the film.
Still the film came out in 1971 and was a big hit. Budget was one million, it pulled in 44 million dollars.
I mean first listen to the trailer.
The great Oscar winning score by Michel Legrand helps capture the time and place and story of Summer of 42.
Then the story, that follows Hermie, played wonderfully by Gary Grimes, his friends Oscie and Benjie as they keep busy at the beach and at the movie theaters during the summer of 42, is just a great story. So simple yet so good. Again, capturing time and place.
A great story written by Herman Raucher. In an odd move, his book was made into a movie before the book was released. The book followed the movie!
The summer of 42 for these boys is so carefree as they are at the age of figuring out life. Who can forget the awkward movie theater scene or the drug store scene. How about the awkward/cringe worthy make-out session at the beach. It is all so awful and perfect lol.
Yes it was carefree, however in a far off place was the war, and that seeps in to the summer of 42 by following Dorothy. A war wife in waiting, and hoping. Dorothy is played by the wonderfully soft Jennifer O'Neil. She is not on the screen a lot here but when she is she is unforgettable. She is why the film stays with you.
This is a true story of Raucher's summer of 42. Yes, like noted the ending is awkward, and probably would not be made today. However lets look at what director Robert Mulligan did with the scene in Dorothy's house. The decision to have few words spoken. The look is so quietly soft as the record comes to the end. You just hear the skipping of the record and that's it. It is wrong but oddly you understand. It is all so sad. It stays with you even though not much is said. It was a good decision by Mulligan. Memorable.
Have to note that after the film and the book, Raucher got a letter from Dorothy years after the film. After seeing the film she was worried she damaged Raucher because of the events, and was happy that he was doing okay. Also she wanted him to know she was happily remarried and now a grandmother. It was the only time he ever heard from Jennifer. He was content that she was okay, and never spoke or had any correspondence with her since that letter.
My number 9 of 20 favorite films Summer Of 42. A film that has been lost a bit in time.
From the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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