Cheap Summer of '42 (DVD) (Jennifer O'Neill, Gary Grimes) (Robert Mulligan) Price

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Customer Reviews of Summer of '42

A Haunting Coming of Age Love Story
I saw this movie for the first time with my fiancee (now my wife) when it was released in 1972 and thoroughly enjoyed it then. I've watched it many times since and bought a VHS copy and am currently awaiting a DVD release. Unfortunately, my kids (raised with the more fast-paced films of the 80's & 90's) think the movie's a bore but I continue to enjoy it. The '40's era atmosphere of the film is perfectly accompanied by the beautiful soundtrack and is enhanced by the atmospheric cinematography and acting of all those involved. The blend of comedy and drama remind us all of what we went through as teens, regardless of the era. I was confused by Dorothy's rationale for the love-scene at the time I first saw the movie but I've come to understand it over the years as I've matured. The climactic love-scene, while controversial at the time of release, still strikes me as one of the most touching, sensitive and poignant scenes ever filmed.

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A Worthwhile Film
This movie was filmed in my hometown--Fort Bragg/Mendocino, California--during the summer of 1971 as I was about to enter my senior year of high school. At the time, 60's idealism was fast transforming into the cynicism that was the 70's, and movies in particular seemed to embrace this mood. But not this one. This is a rather poignant film about one lads journey into adulthood, set amid the beauty of the Mendocino Coast (although is supposed to be an island) and the early troubled days of the Second World War. I related to this film on several levels, being about the same age as the protagonists at the time, the son of a WWII veteran, and concerned I would be sent to war (Vietnam was still a reality). And I was in love with Jennifer O’Neill, too! I was lucky enough to witness some of the scenes as they were being filmed, the funny losing-ones-virginity-on-the-beach scene comes immediately to mind. Is this a great movie? No, Gary Grimes and Jerry Hauser were just mediocre young actors and pretty much disappeared off the face of the earth after this movie. But it is a good movie, driven by a wonderful script and superb cinematography. And an Oscar-winning soundtrack. I’ll definitely buy it, and so should you. A four-star film.

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Nine stars? You've got to be joking.
After reading all the rave reviews here, I expected to love this film. No such luck.

The Summer of '42 has its moments. The final love scene is beautifully done and the "making love" between Hermie and Dorothy is effectively contrasted with the "making out" between Oscy and Miriam.

But the script is stilted, and the acting is wooden. I could have forgiven stilted dialogue between Hermie and Dorothy as a sign of Hermie's nervousness and uncertainty, but the dialogue between the three boys also seemed completely unnatural. There are a few effective reaction shots of Gary Grimes (Hermie) that do a good job of letting us see his longing and innocence, but he destroys this effect each time he opens his mouth. I think it is no surprise that we have seen nothing of Gary Grimes since he grew up and lost his youthful beauty.

The voice-over narration and final letter seemed like cheap tricks. The gauzy atmospheric camera work was as cloying as the swelling strings. There were obvious continuity problems. For example, Hermie and Oscy have very short shadows when Hermie leaves his house to meet Dorothy, so it is clearly the middle of the day. But it is dusk when he arrives at the cabin, which makes no sense unless it is a six hour walk.

I'd suggest renting rather than buying. If you like romantic coming of age stories, the love scene will scratch that itch. Unfortunately, it comes after 90 minutes of terrible acting.