A SUMMER ROMANCE SAGA -

Romance, adultery and the drama of two teens falling in love even after discovering one of their parents had an affair with the other parent years before, all made the 1959 A Summer Place irresistible. Its beautiful and talented cast - Sandra Dee, Troy Donahue, Richard Egan, Dorothy McGuire, Constance Ford and Arthur Kennedy - were icing on the cake.

Bart (Arthur Kennedy) and Sylvia (Dorothy McGuire) Hunter own a lovely Maine costal resort where their teenage son Johnny grew up. Over the years Bart has become an alcoholic and their resort has fallen in disrepair. Practically penniless, they must sell it.

When a call comes from the wealthy Jorgenson family that they want to spend the entire summer there where Ken Jorgenson (Richard Egan) was a life guard and grew up, there is concern. Ken and Sylvia were once lovers, so Bart is dead set against it. Sylvia knows it's the last financial straw that might save their property, but in her heart surely is intrigued to see Ken again. Bart objects even further when he realizes they must give up their own suites for the Jorgenson's and stay in the vacant gardener's quarters.

The Jorgenson arrive with their beautiful teenage daughter Molly (Sandra Dee), and of course she and Johnny instantly become an item. That's only the beginning of the problems. One look at the gorgeous and refined Ken upside her soused and ill-mannered husband, and Sylvia is in love again. Ken too is doe-eyed as Sylvia is beautiful, warm and inviting while Helen has the demeanor of a drill sergeant and tries to wear the pants in the family as well.

A rekindled love affair between Ken and Sylvia, hysterics from Molly as the parents try to keep her and Johnny apart, all out war between Ken and Helen and the further deteriorating of Bart all follow and lead up to the two couples both divorcing.

Sylvia goes off to lead a quite life, and eventually she and Ken get married. This only increases Helen's anger, mostly which she takes out on Molly. Her cold, contemptuous mother puts Molly through some unspeakable experiences. When she and Johnny continue to see each other and she gets pregnant, they finally sneak away to get married.  

A Summer Place hit the box office at just the right time. The 1950s attitudes had loosened considerably from the decade before of what could and could not be seen on the big screen and director/writer Delmer Daves handled the production well. The movie's theme song, "A Summer Place," by Max Steiner, is still recognizable today after hearing only a few notes.

The strong cast is part of what makes this movie so popular. A character everyone loves to hate is a must for good ratings and Constance Ford certainly filled that bill with her snide, caustic portrayal of Helen.

A Summer Place was Donahue's (The Imitation of Life) first feature film, and while he didn't knock viewers over with his acting talents immediately, he carried out the role of Johnny reasonably well, and his charming good looks and acting potential channeled him into a box-office star.

This movie was also a launching craft for the adorable Sandy Dee (Gidget) whose teen charms brought her many roles, but also parlayed her into more mature roles throughout her long career.

Dorothy McGuire (Old Yeller) was quite sincere as a woman who gave up her true love and tried to build a respectable life with someone else. Arthur Kennedy (The Ten Commandments) was equally impressive as an alcoholic man who's always known he was not his wife's first choice. Richard Egan (Love Me Tender) was okay as Ken, but the least impressive of the cast.

A Summer Place still stands as a classic to own and see more than once. The movie is part of is part of Warner Home Video's Romantic Collection to celebrate Valentines and includes The Clock, Crossing Delancey, Miracle in the Rain and Blume in Love.

Director: Delmer Daves

Writer: Delmer Daves

Cast Members: Troy Donahue, Sandra Dee, Dorothy McGuire, Richard Egan, Arthur Kennedy, Constance Ford

Rating: PG  

Run Time: 130 minutes  

Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures

Format: Color, Widescreen