Summer of '42
Director: Robert Mulligan
Actors: Jennifer O'Neill, Gary Grimes, Jerry Houser
PlotDuring the summer of 1942, 15-year-old Hermie, along with his friends Oscy and Benjie, spend their vacation on Nantucket Island. The boys are coming of age and exploring their budding interest in girls, fumbling through awkward attempts at romance and dealing with typical adolescent challenges. Hermie becomes infatuated with Dorothy, a beautiful young woman whose husband is away fighting in World War II. As Hermie spies on her and seeks ways to interact, he is overwhelmed by his feelings of admiration and longing for someone outside his teenage world.
As the days pass, Hermie's clumsy but earnest attempts to impress Dorothy lead to deeper conversations and gradually a more significant bond. Despite the lighthearted moments shared with his friends, Hermie's preoccupation with Dorothy starts to dominate his summer experience. His feelings become more complex as he faces moments of profound emotional vulnerability and personal growth. This poignant time marks Hermie's transition from boyhood to the stirrings of adult life, set against the backdrop of a wartime summer where innocence and experience clash dramatically.
Writers: Herman Raucher
Release Date: 19 Apr 1971
Runtime: 104 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
Reflecting on the innocence of its era with fine performances and nostalgic charm, 'Summer of '42' gains mixed relevance today but is technically solid on Blu-ray.
Read our review of Summer of '42 Blu-ray Warner Archive Collection to find out more