A Summer Place
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Movie Reviews of A Summer Place
Movie Review: Stunning
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is a lovely piece of work, made for a time before our generation thought we were so cool and above making any real effort in life--it was made before the whole "me" generation, and thank God for that--what a relief! While most viewers are rightly intrigued by the lush Max Steiner score, the shimmer and youth of Sandra Dee and Troy Donohue and the beautiful, rocky scenery of Maine coast line, the real treasure hidden in this film are the dialogue and breathtaking performances of Richard Egan and Dorothy McGuire.
Only to disquietingly narrow minds might the dialogue and issues seem dated, namely those who lean to imagining themselves to be holders of liberal views but who are, in practice, rather inept when it comes to understanding or appreciating the experience of other generations and other cultures. Such a view, however, couldn't miss the point more. "We have to make choices," says Egan. For a generation of westerners that have "everything"--no war on the homefront, good health, internet, democracy--perhaps Egan's statement is hard to appreciate. Yet McGuire, even more beautiful than in her earlier performance in The Enchanted Cottage, must strike true, when she says to Egan with haunting sadness in her eyes as they rekindle a love 20 years lost, "I'm not as pretty anymore. I'm sorry for that". Such modesty and humilty are virtually unknown to our generation. Such reserve of character and power. Those incapable of being moved by this scene are barbarians!
And whoever this "Poopy" person might be who reviewed the film, with all respect to freedom of thought, nevertheless, it is obvious that he/she rather missed the point entirely in his/her outrage that two step children might fall in love and marry. Obviously, he/she hasn't figured out that step-children (the roles of Dee and Donohue) are not biologically related to one another! To call this a soap opera is ridiculous, for this film holds many things darker and more unimaginable than any soap opera. For the Poopies of the world I respectfully recommend a strong cup of coffee, some fresh air, proper nutrition and a good university biology course.
To more sensible and sensitive prospective viewers who might have enjoyed the priviledge of a little life experience, this film is a gift for the soul. Sublte in its depiction of the sicknesses that plague human beings and their societies, the whole morality discussion in the film might switch on a light bulb for anyone who has watched the news in the last 4 years. The film is architectonic and sure-footed in its presentation of adult love, perhaps uncomfortably structural for generations of post-nouvelle-vague viewers weaned on the thin milk of dissapation and nebulosity. This film is a shimmering work with vails of meaning far beyond its sturdy dramaturgical structure. It requires the viewer to function on more than one level, with which our multi-tasking generation seems, ironically, rather to have some problems. There are indeed some uptight 50's characters in the film. There are also some uptight 50's characters walking around today in gothic dress! However, there are mostly some characters and themes of timeless beauty in the film. It stays true to the metaphor of the title in its attempt to show us how to find our own summer place.
Movie Review: A wonderful Nostalgia Piece, with super Soundtrack
Summary: 5 Stars
A Summer Place opened in 1959 and I saw it many times that year. It was the most daring film, and even now it is surprising that it escaped censorship then. The film is entirely concerned with relationships and sex..not a scene is exempt from this theme and it is very good and very crazy. Sandra DEE and Troy Donahue were the romantic teen couple of the times, and they are fabulous in this. Dorothy McGuire, Constance Ford, Arthur Kennedy are right into this steam- room topical film. Richard Egan, forever wooden, is an unintentional laugh in every scene, but with MaGuire he comes alive. Beulah Bondi has a strange, almost lurid encounter with Maguire over Egan's return to the summer place. Constance Ford as Sandra Dee's mother is so bitchy and hateful, she seems to be from some other galaxy, maybe not human.
Arthur Kennedy gives Dee and Donahue very frank, sensual advice in the course of things,and he is always drunk and expressing represssed sexual longings, in a mad, insane way. He is Donahue's father and calls the mother, MacGuire, a "slut," and a "Tramp"..to his son. Kennedy laughs as he makes these remarks to Troy D. It's so vulgar , that it rips apart other films of the period that have little or no thought content, except Sirk's films and Peyton Place..but this is better than Peyton Place..it goes further, in its obsessive compulsive concern with sex. Eveything is sexual, but not subtly; its sexual only in the genital sense..everything everyone does on earth is workiong up to a legal or illegal toss in the hay. This is life..a search for a mate to have at it with, and part of this life is about the fruitless attempt to stop the onslaught of sexual union. See this film and understand a great deal about the 50s and early 60s and the hatred of incarnate flesh, finally vindicated at the end of A Summer Place, but with stiffness, tinges of fear, a slight hint of perversity.Sandra and Troy may be freer, but they are locked into freedom to have sex and nothing else..they've talked about nothing else, and their children will doubtless talk about nothing else. Almost despairing, like two nature driven apples ready to fall into death...,they are both so worn out at the end, over experienced.
There's also 50s idioms all over the place, odd tense usage , and illogical phraseology, almost deliberate, so that what is underscored so much, lack of communiucation, is based not just on differing sexual mores, but on the English Language itself, the grammar..very good!
Lurid, sex in all scenes (talked about mostly), and the theme to A Summer Place that makes you weep for these days to return.
Movie Review: A Summer Place - Absolutely A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!
Summary: 5 Stars
The title is very misleading. I saw this movie when I was a young girl and I didn't really understand it then, now in my 40's and seeing it from an adult's perspective - it blew me away!
Interesting how candid this movie was, considering the time frame it was set in and the issues surrounding pre-marital sex or fornication back then, especially with the impetus on marriage for society's sake. Moreover, what was more surprising was the embarrassment surrounding the young teens' dilemma; their initial fear, decisions and responsibilities regarding pregnancy; education, immediately taking control of their lives, deciding to wed but being turned away by the Justice of Peace because they were underage was sad.
What's more, is the sad turn of events regarding both their parents' adulterous affairs, alcoholism, and the young girl's mom completely disowning her because of her inappropriate actions, and the scandal that followed.
This movie had me enthralled and shocked at the girl's mom who decides to have a doctor examine her daughter to see whether or not she had sex. I was aghast!
Fantastic acting, gripping story-line, amazing directing, and fantastic scenery to expose the lifestyles of the wealthy in the 50's. This movie could have easily been about impoverished kids from dysfunctional families - identical theme: teenage pregnancy, fornication, adultery, alcoholism - different environment. A film like this back then would have met with loud gasps, and embarrassing feminine faintings. Every dirty story kept hushed - so I'm cheering loudly for this brave expose! Two thumbs up!!
Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue were absolutely the best characters for these roles.
This a MUST-SEE movie! Absolutely BRILLIANT!! FIVE stars!
Movie Review: Have you been bad Johnny?
Summary: 5 Stars
I watched this movie when I was 16 back in 1986, on TBS, and even with the dreaded commercial breaks I was riveted throughout.
Johnny's parents own an Inn that has fallen into some hard times, and Molly's parents are arriving to stay the summer. Johnny's mom used to have a thing with Molly's dad back in the day, no spoilers here because you can feel the sexual tension from the word go. Meanwhile Molly and Johnny also seem to be hitting it off. Of course Johnny's dad is a drunk and Molly's mom is a frigid b**ch. Sparks and words fly between everyone. Let's just say this is melodrama at it's best. I won't go into more detail so you can enjoy it for the first time.
I find it sad that Troy Donahue never really was considered a good actor, granted he was no James Dean or Monty Clift but he could hold his own when given a good part as in this movie. Sandra Dee, what can I say? She was a sweet- heart in every sense of the word.Richard Egan and Dorothy McGuire are incredible as the star crossed lovers, the scene with them talking in the attic after he fixes the roof is brimming with sexual tension.
For a movie that is filled with adultery and secret rendezvous' there is very little actual sex on screen, well as a matter of fact there is no sex on screen what so ever, couples even have twin beds in their rooms. Oh, those crazy 50's censors. But I kind of like it this way, you imagine everything and there is more time for actual dialogue, that wonderful 50's taboo dialogue : "I have naughty thoughts" "We're in 'trouble' " "You harlot" and my all time favorite: "Have you been bad Johnny? Have you been bad with girls?" Hell yes!
Movie Review: "Have you been bad, Johnny? Have you been bad with other girls?"
Summary: 5 Stars
A SUMMER PLACE was one of those "scandalous" films of the 50s that somehow seems tame by comparison with contemporary movies. Released in 1959, the film is based on Sloan Wilson's bestselling novel of a self-made businessman who returns to the scene of his adolescent years and rekindles his summer romance, while his daughter Molly falls in love with Johnny, the son of his former love. Complications ensue!
The movie features fine performances by gifted actors:
Richard Egan (Pollyanna, Demetrius & the Gladiators, and many other movie and TV appearances)
Dorothy McGuire (interestingly, the virgin Mary in The Greatest Story Ever Told, and "mom" in Walt Disney's Swiss Family Robinson among many other credits)
Sandra Dee (Gidget, Tammy Tell Me True, and Tammy and the Doctor)
Troy Donahue (77 Sunset Strip, Surfside 6 - forget about that brief role in Godfather II)
Arthur Kennedy (a wonderful character actor in the 40s, 50s, 60's until his death in 1990 - a terrific voice)
Constance Ford (the quintessential TV "witch-queen in film and television in the 50s and 60s)
The film, beautifully filmed on location, captures - in a sense - the values and attitudes of the 50s toward those issues which are dealt with more cavalierly in these times. The music, by now almost clichéd, is a perfect complement to the story. The DVD is well done and both audio and video quality are excellent. This is a great "summer" movie in all respects.