Summer of '42 [1971] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Based on Herman Raucher's autobiographical novel, Robert Mulligan's 1971 classic is one of those rare coming-of-age movies that stands heads and shoulders above those sex-obsessed, raunchy teen-oriented films (Private Lessons, Meatballs)that were released in later years. Starring Gary Grimes as Hermie, Jerry Hauser as Oscar, Oliver Conant as Benjie, and featuring the luminous Jennifer O'Neill as Dorothy, this lyrical, hysterically funny and heartbreakingly poignant film will ellicit both laughter and tears from all but the most stone-hearted viewer.

Summer of '42's plot revolves around the Terrible Trio of Hermie, Oscy, and Benjie, who live on a small island off the East Coast of the United States. It's the summer after Pearl Harbor, and all the men of military age are going off to the various fronts to fight the Axis powers. One of these is Dorothy's husband, Pete.

For Hermie, this opens up a whole world of possibilities. For in between all the usual boyish things he's done with Oscy and Benjie (among them, sneaking looks at "dirty books"), he's also fallen deeply in love with Dorothy. He spends time at her house, making himself useful by bringing in the groceries or helping her fix things...the "how do you like your coffee?" scene is a gem, evoking all those memories of how far we young guys would go to impress that "special" girl.

But before this movie fades to black to the strains of Michel Legrand's "The Summer Knows/Theme from Summer of '42," Hermie will learn that even heaven-sent (in this case, Pete's demise) opportunities come with a heavy price. Even though Hermie's fondest dream does come true (and the scenes of the preliminaries are among the funniest, particularly the purchase of a condom!), the results are somewhat sobering....and heartbreaking


A Haunting Movie About Adolescence   April 30, 2003
E. A. Redfearn (Middlesbrough)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

One of the highlights of movie making in 1971, this lovely film tells the story of three friends on their holidays during the summer of 1942. Gary Grimes plays Hermies, a shy teenager who becomes obssessed with Dorothy, (the beautiful Jennifer O'Neill) a soldier's wife. While admiring her from afar, he and his friends embark on a series of adventures as they discover that they are growing up and becoming interested in the local female talent. The highlights of this film are the very funny scene in the local Drugstore (which has to be seen to be believed, believe me, it is very funny!); and the final scenes when Hermies discovers that Dorothy has lost her husband in the war. This scene is very emotional, tastefully done, and is accompanied by the haunting film score Summer of '42. A little slow at times, it does succeed admirably because of its subject matter. Shot in soft focus, the picture does look a little grainy at times. It must be seen on DVD to be really appreciated though. One of those films you may not forget for a long time after its first viewing.


Romantic !   December 19, 2003
J. C. Voltolini (Universidade de Taubate, Departamento de Biologia, Taubate, SP, BRASIL. (jcvoltol@uol.com.br))
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

If you like romantic stories see this movie and be prepared because you will never forget it! If you love someone invite her or him to see this movie and to feel how love can be so pure.