Summer Themed Films,

Part Two!

July 15, 2010
    

Several weeks ago, I wrote a column compiling a list of what I felt were some great summer themed films some of you readers might enjoy. At the end of the column I asked readers to submit some of their own suggestions in case I had missed anything. The readers have definitely spoken and so here are a few more suggestions for those interesting in some great summer themed films.

“Last Summer” (1969) was one of the first films I was reminded of by readers. The film stars a pre-Waltons Richard Thomas in one of his first film roles and also features acclaimed actress Barbara Hershey in a very early screen appearance. The film is set in one of the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast, Fire Island, New York, where a trio of teens-two guys and a girl-become so close that they form a sort-of threesome. Later, when an outsider, a girl, tries to infiltrate the trio’s newly found relationship, they construct an elaborate plot that has violent results leading to the film’s stunning conclusion.

The film is well directed by Frank Perry (Mommie Dearest) and based on a novel by Evan Hunter (The Birds).  Though the film is not currently on DVD, Warner Brothers has announced that they have definite plans for an upcoming release.

Another film that I failed to mention is the 1987 comedy, “Summer School.” The trick of this film is that it appears to be a typical teen comedy, but its screenplay is so smart that it gets under your skin and soon becomes a film that is very difficult to dislike.  

Mark Harmon does some of the best work of his ho-hum career as a high school physical education instructor who must teach a group of lazy students who all have more personality than brains. Kirstie Alley-in the days before her plus size tabloid fame-stars as the next-door teacher who teaches Harmon a few more things about education, while all of the students have their moments as well.

And let’s not forget actor Dean Cameron as ‘Chainsaw’ who steals every scene he is in.

The sweetly nostalgic, “Summer of 42,” is a film that I have written an entire column about in the pages of Focus in days gone by.  I didn’t include the film in my original column since I had previously written extensively about it but after several inquiries as to why I didn’t bring it up I decided it definitely belonged in any list of great summer themed films.

The film, for those of you unaware, concerns three young boys, all 15 years of age, spending a boring summer on Long Island in the summer of 1942. One of the boys, Hermie, the more sensitive of the three, chances to meet the lovely Dorothy, who is 22 years old with her husband away fighting the war. Dorothy lives alone and Hermie injects himself into her life, carrying groceries and performing odd jobs around her home. When an unexpected tragedy occurs near the picture’s end, the film shifts from a more comedic tone to a serious one leading to its beautifully filmed conclusion. Well directed by the late Robert Mulligan, “Summer of 42” is a beautiful film if ever there was one, filled with great performances, especially Jennifer O’Neill as Dorothy.

“Little Darlings” (1980) is another summer themed film that has yet to find its way onto DVD but that doesn’t mean it should be forgotten. The film stars Tatum O’Neal and Kristy McNichol as two teenage girls who go to summer camp, both of whom make a bet as to which one will lose her virginity first.

The two girls then choose “targets”, or guys they want to be the ones they lose their virginity with. Unbeknownst to the adults, all the girls in camp bet money on the contest and divide into two “teams,” each rooting for and egging on either Ferris (O’Neal) or Angel (McNichol). At the same time, the girls engage in typical teenage behavior, such as food fights and other activities. Filmed at Hard Labor State Park near Atlanta Georgia and featuring an early appearance by Matt Dillon, “Little Darlings” is one of the teen comedies that comes from the era when these sort of films were actually funny and enjoyable.

Speaking of comedies that use the setting of summer camp as a backdrop, the 2001 film, “Wet Hot American Summer,” is another one of these types of film that uses that setting to great effect. The film takes place on August 18, 1981, the last day of summer camp at the Camp Firewood, a fictional Jewish Camp in Maine.  Since it’s the last day of camp it is also the last day for each camper and counselor to find someone to kiss at the end of the big talent show that night.

The film divides time equally between the struggles of the camp counselors and the campers as they struggle to put on the greatest talent show the camp has ever seen.

Photo: Kristy McNichol & Matt Dillon in Lilttle Darlings

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