Summer of '42

Plot synopsis:
The film opens with a series of still photographs appearing over melancholic music, representing the abstract memories of the unseen Herman Raucher, now a middle-aged man. We then hear Raucher recalling the summer he spent on the island in 1942. The film flashes back to a day that then 15-year-old "Hermie" and his friends – jock Oscy and introverted nerd Benjie – spent playing on the beach. They spot a young soldier carrying his new bride into a house on the beach and are struck by her beauty, especially Hermie, who is unable to get her out of his mind.
They continue spending afternoons on the beach where, in the midst of scantily-clad teenage girls, their thoughts invariably turn to sex. All of them are virgins: Oscy is obsessed with the act of sex, while Hermie finds himself developing romantic interest in the bride, whose husband he spots leaving the island on a water taxi one morning. Later that day, Hermie finds her trying to carry bags of groceries by herself, and helps get them back to her house. They strike up a friendship and he agrees to return to help her with chores.
Meanwhile, Oscy and Hermie, thanks to a sex manual discovered by Benjie, become convinced they know everything necessary to lose their virginity. Led by Oscy, they test this by going to the cinema and picking-up a trio of high-school girls. Oscy stakes out the most attractive one, Miriam, "giving" Hermie her less attractive friend, Aggie, and leaving Benjie with Gloria, a heavyset girl with braces. Frightened by the immediacy of sex, Benjie runs off, and is not seen by Hermie or Oscy again that night. Hermie and Oscy spend the entirety of the evening's film attempting to "put the moves" on Miriam and Aggie. Oscy pursues Miriam, eventually making out with her during the movie, and later learns her ways are well-known on the island. Hermie finds himself succeeding with Aggie, who allows him to grope what he thinks is her breast; Oscy later points out Hermie was fondling her arm.
The next morning, Hermie helps the bride move boxes into her attic and she thanks him by giving him a kiss on the forehead. Later, in preparation for a marshmallow roast on the beach with Aggie and Miriam, Hermie goes to the local drugstore. In a painfully humorous sequence, he builds up the nerve to ask the druggist (Lou Frizzell) for condoms.
That night, Hermie roasts marshmallows with Aggie while Oscy succeeds in having sex with Miriam between the dunes. He is so successful he sneaks over to Hermie and Aggie to ask for more condoms. Confused as to what's happening, Aggie follows Oscy back, where she sees him having sex with Miriam and runs home, upset.
The next day, Hermie comes across the bride sitting outside her house, writing to her husband. Hermie offers to keep her company that night and she says she looks forward to seeing him, revealing her name is Dorothy. An elated Hermie goes home and puts on a suit, dress shirt and heads back to Dorothy's house, running into Oscy on the way; Oscy relates that Miriam's appendix burst and she's been rushed to the mainland. Hermie, convinced he is at the brink of adulthood because of his relationship with Dorothy, brushes Oscy off.
He heads to her house, which is eerily quiet. Going in, he discovers a bottle of whiskey, several cigarette butts, and a telegram from the government. Dorothy's husband is dead, his plane shot down over France. Dorothy comes out of her bedroom, crying, and Hermie tells her "I'm sorry." The sense of empathy triggers her to channel to Hermie some of her loneliness. She turns on the record player and invites Hermie to dance with her. They kiss and embrace, tears on both their faces. Without speaking, and to the sound only of the waves, they move to the bedroom, where she draws him into bed and gently makes love with him. Afterward, withdrawing again into her world of hurt, Dorothy retires to the porch, leaving Hermie alone in her bedroom. He approaches her on the porch, where she can only quietly say "Good night, Hermie." He leaves, his last image of Dorothy being of her leaning against the railing, as she smokes a cigarette and stares into the night sky.
At dawn Hermie meets Oscy and the two share a moment of reconciliation, with Oscy informing Hermie that Miriam will recover. Oscy, in an uncharacteristic act of sensitivity, lets Hermie be by himself, departing with the words, "Sometimes life is one big pain in the ass."
Trying to sort out what has happened, Hermie goes back to Dorothy's house. Dorothy has fled the island in the night and an envelope is tacked to the front door with Hermie's name on it. Inside is a note from Dorothy, saying she hopes he understands she must go back home as there is much to do. She assures Hermie she will never forget him, and he will find his way of remembering what happened that night. Her note closes with the hope that Hermie may be spared the senseless tragedies of life.
In the final scene, Hermie, suddenly approaching manhood, is seen looking at Dorothy's old house and the ocean from a distance before he turns to join his friends. To bittersweet music, the adult Raucher sadly recounts that he has never seen Dorothy again or learned what became of her.

Tags: romantic, adult comedy, flashback

Review:
Even though I grew up in a different era, country, culture and society, there were many parallels to the drugstore episode, the furtive readings of the book, the carrying of the grocery bags, the storing away of the boxes, and the attempted "fooling around" inside the movie theater.I like a production (movie; theater; music) that reflects the reality one experiences in life.
At least one of them would look back upon their adventures during the summer of '42 and recall it with the vivid detail that many of us have about our own childhood For those adults who were once a fifteen-year-old boy or ever wanted to understand them, this is the movie that will touch you.
I saw this movie in the theater during it's initial release and several times on TV since then but it's been many years since I've seen it last and would like to see it again.
One or two of my sisters may have been watching too, and it was somewhat embarrassing when the intimate scene with Hermie and Dorothy came out, but I wasn't about to turn my head as I enjoyed the movie as a whole.
It's also interesting how 15 year old girls were made to appear so immature and unsexy, like when the 3 boys had dates and were standing in a movie line.
Strong, gripping story of coming of age of three mischief makers wanting to know about love during the times of war.
I felt a lot of wonder and awe when Hermie spent a lot of time with Dorothy with each level: Comedy,it's when he helped store some items, and feeling her moves with every glance he made.
Though the latter is, even today, what is trumpeted about as the reason for shielding children from things they might not be ready for, I'm beginning to wonder if it isn't really the parents who are just protecting themselves, trying to squeeze out more childhood days from their children for the parents to enjoy before they must finally release their darling children into the fray that tides upon the whims of nature and destiny.This movie came out in 1971.
It was a true case of boys vis a vis girls at the time.To this day, I still believe it to be one of the best ten movies I have ever seen.The sense of emotions and feelings of all types and manner was beautifully captured for all times and generations.
"Hermie" was seen again in "Red Sky at Morning", but never quite in the same light of emotion.For those who wish true capture of a far and distant time, this is the movie to see it from..
and what boy, or man, could not be in love with the beautiful Dorothy as played by Jennifer O'Neill.
Among bittersweet, nostalgic, coming-of-age movies, only this one and the brilliant (but sadly neglected) "A Summer Story" strike me as achieving such a remarkable level of honesty.
While watching the film, I wanted Dorothy and Hermie to "get together."Michael Legrand's Oscar-winning musical score gave the film its nostalgic feel.
Cute fifteen-year-old Gary Grimes (as "Hermie") spends the "Summer of '42" playing on New England's sand dunes, with pals Jerry Houser (as "Oscy") and Oliver Conant (as "Benjie").
He helps O'Neill carry groceries and lift boxes, but is interested in something elseCue the billowing curtains This "coming of age" drama is beautifully produced and, despite the very definitive setting, surpasses its nostalgic tone by successfully conveying the timeless emotions associated with teenage sexual awakenings.
The only thing I could possibly add is that this is one of those special situations where the film is absolutely beautiful, but he book by Herman Raucher is EVEN BETTER.I saw the film first, totally loved it, and didn't think there would be any way the book would measure up.
Huh?THE SUMMER OF '42 was a massive popular release in 1972 for all adults and especially teen boys like me who would have worn my underpants on my head down the main street if I know I could have it off with Jennifer O'Neill.
Anyway, the film is about a teenage boy who falls in love with an older woman whose husband goes off to fight in WWII.
What I find interesting about one of the other comments on this website is that like the Humbert Humbert character in "Lolita" having a clear pathway of opportunity to Dolores Hayes, the character that Jennifer O'Neill plays in "Summer of '42" has a clear pathway of opportunity to the teenage boy in that movie whom she has her designs upon.
In "Summer of 42", as stated in that other comment, the teenage girls who the teenage male protagonist and his two buddies date are unpleasant and pose no obstacle to the character Jennifer O'Neill plays as for her intentions to cross the forbidden age line of love with the male teenage protagonist.
As a fifteen year old boy, my mind was often on the same topic.My friends were, in some ways, like Hermie's friends in the film.
The Main Character is a Young Man Coming of Age. I have found the most recent comments on this touching film describing it as "statutory rape" and "pedophilia" a gross over reaction and another example of political correctness run amok.
"Summer of '42" (1971): Let's get one thing out of the way right now: I will, for the rest of my life, have a crush on Jennifer O'Neill...because of this film.
It's 1942 and a teenager (Gary Grimes) falls in love with a woman (Jennifer O'Neill) whose husband is off at war.
Coming of age is an issue that only a few times has it been tackled with so seriously in a movie; the excruciatingly long scene in the drug store and the poetic love scene are fine examples of the director's delicate approach to the teenagers viewpoint of the world.
While the film had some truly funny situations and some good lines, I still find it difficult to overlook the fact that a woman, most likely in her early twenties, had sex with a 15 year-old boy who looked even younger than 15.
" The movie itself is offered as a heartwarming story of a young, beautiful and lonely wife, waiting patiently for her soldier husband fighting the good fight in Europe during the summer of 1942.
Hermie (Gary Grimes), Oscy (Jerry House) and Benjie (Oliver Conant) are three boys who spend the Summer of '42 in the island.
This dull, pedestrian coming-of-sexual-age movie was released in 1971, the year that brought American cinemas "A Clockwork Orange," "The Last Picture Show," "Straw Dogs," "Klute," "The Conformist," and that other classic cross-generational love story, "Harold and Maude." It's like the folks that made "Summer of '42" hadn't been outside for 20 years to see what other movies were like.
Based on Herman Raucher's script and personal life, Summer of '42 is a very touching movie about the coming of age of three young friends in New England at the outbreak of WWII.
While his friends Oscy and Benjie are more interested in girls their age hoping to experience their first romantic adventure, Hermie rather falls for Dorothy, a young and beautiful woman (played by a radiant Jennifer O'Neill) who's husband has just been send to the European front.
The magical music theme of Michel Legrand brilliantly underscore the nostalgic tone of a film that beautifully captures Hermie's (but in an allegoric way, all of us) growth through friendship, love and lost of innocence.
SUMMER OF '42 is definitely my favorite coming of age film, and every time I watch it I am flooded with memories, both of my relations with girls in my teenage years.
a few misadventures, and generally a flurry of emotions - mainly thanks to the beautiful and haunting soundtrack, one of the best ever - taking me back to my increasingly distant youth,Hermie, the character played by Gary Grimes, became a model for me, and I tried to imitate some of his mannerisms in the hope of finding luck, especially with older women - sadly, it never worked.Dialogue is above average, especially among the three pals (Hermie, Oscy and the other) when discussing matters anatomical and sexual, with innocent mirth.
And, also typical of youth, these youngsters speak not once about the war raging around them in 1942, but try to find their own place in the sun.Memorable sequences: The introductory credits against stunning photography and the gorgeous musical theme; Hermie marveling at Dorothy's husband taking her into the house; the gang watching NOW, VOYAGER at the local movie house, while trying to get fresh with girls; attempting to buy condoms at the chemist but not finding the courage to do it; Hermie watching Dorothy's legs at close quarters, and Dorothy flirting with him; the seduction scene; and the final sequence with the voice over saying that Hermie was lost forever in that summer of 1942.Although not a masterpiece, this film is so universal in its appeal, and it is so unassumingly done that I have no hesitation in awarding it 9 out of 10..
15-year old Gary Grimes falls hard for 23-year old war widow Jennifer O'Neill during his summer island vacation even if all she requires of him at first is to carry her heavy loads around but, overcoming his initial shyness and awkward woodenness, he eventually consummates his love at her moment of greatest need for consolation (after which she summarily leaves the island for good).
Outstanding movie with sensitive portrayal.A pity that Jennifer O Neill did not really hit the big stage as she could have.Really does portray teen age adolescence in a very sensitive way without any vulgarity whatsoever.Gary Grimes should have also got nominated.He also did not come up to the big time in the manner expected.The theme was outstanding and much of the credit for this must go to the author of the book Herman Raucher who is the real hero for the success of the movie.A movie of genius played by actors who were putting on the show of their lives.
The Mendocino coast in Northern California was used as a backdrop, the beach becomes metaphor for change, everything moves on, the fragile foundations people live with etc.At the end of the film Hermie sees some of his friends going their separate ways after the summer.
With the comic moments of three boys struggling through sexuality and growing up, we get to know the story of Hermie(Played by Gary Grimes).
I was 21 years old at the time and the 15 year-old boys who were in the coming-of-age stage of their young lives was something I saw with a bit of humor, and nostalgia.
Michel Legrand won an Oscar for his sweetly nostalgic background score for SUMMER OF '42, a coming of age story about a teen-ager in love with a young war bride.
JENNIFER O'NEILL is the rapturously attractive young woman and GARRY GRIMES the boy who fantasizes about her until they do meet and have a brief bittersweet affair.There's nothing special about the story except that it probably gave teen-age boys a fantasy they could easily relate to and in a way that would make a deep impression on them for the rest of their lives.It's skillfully directed by Robert Mulligan who gets a lot of humor and tenderness out of the tale, while at the same time capturing the manners and morals of the 1940s with the proper atmosphere, costumes and settings.A nice film that moves slowly but has some wonderful moments enhanced by Michel Legrand's easy to listen to kind of score.
I love how mysterious it is, too; how it plays only when we see Jennifer O'Neill's character, who throughout most of the movie, we know little about.
Set during World War II, it is also a bittersweet reminder of a dramatic era in America's past.Gary Grimes plays the young Hermie, awkward and confused as he grapples with the mysteries of adolescence and sexuality.
Jenifer O'Neill plays Dorothy, a beautiful newlywed who appears enchanting and full of life to the admiring teen.Like "Stand by Me", the film is very successful at recalling a more innocent time.
Released in 1971 and directed by Robert Mulligan, "Summer of '42" is the biographical drama of Herman "Hermie" Raucher (Gary Grimes) coming of age at 15 during the titular season & year on Nantucket Island.
Meanwhile, Hermie is an awe of a 21 year-old woman (Jennifer O'Neill) whose soldier husband is off fighting WWII.This is such a well-done classic film from the early 70s.
Both films take place on island beaches during the summer and involve teens coming of age.
ANY boy who doesn't fall for Dorothy at exactly that moment will never really know love or romance.And even though I still watch it feeling that old familiar pain, and an unspoken kinship with Hermie..
The boys are sex obsessed and Dorothy (Jennifer O'Neill) is Hermie's biggest obsession.
The lovely Dorothy, 22 years old and her husband away fighting the war, is hauntingly played by Jennifer O'Neill, fresh and very beautiful in the summer of 1972 when this film was enjoying it's impressive run in the nation's theaters.
Life and love are overwhelming mysteries at that age and we are somewhat comforted by the fact that it is not until deep into the film that Dorothy, shocked and grief stricken by the telegram informing of her soldier husband's death, succumbs to a temporary but very intense emotion and introduces Hermie to a world he has only dreamt about.
Everything comes with cost and we see Hermie and his buddies, themselves introduced to the world of females and relationships during this long summer, at film's end retreating back, for the precious time they have left for it, into the safety of childhood and teenage concerns.
"Hermie" plays the last 10 minutes of this movie in silence, as his buddy Oscy talks to him about boy things like raiding the Coast Guard Station, and then as he walks through the gathering late-summer wind to the house where his first lover no longer waits.
Probably every teenage male has wished he had an experience with an older woman like Hermie has with his beloved Dorothy in this movie.
At first glance "Summer of 42" is merely another coming of age film wherein a teenager falls in love with an "older" woman and lives the summer dream of every adolescent boy, but first glances can be wrong.
***Warning possible plot spoiler if you haven't seen Summer of '42 before*** This film is about 3 buddies in a coastal town during WW2 who find love, one of them with the town good girl who's a bad girl in the dunes at night and one of them with a lonely war bride played by the stunning Jennifer O'Neill(this was in 71 and she's just as beautiful today) who he does odd jobs for while hubby is away at war.
Jennifer O'Neill was beautiful, I knew what Hermie felt.I have this film on DVD now, and my perception of the character's motivations haven't changed since the original viewing.
"Summer of '42," on the other hand, challenges our attitude about rape and the double standard when it comes to having sex with someone too young to have given consent.With both movies, we pretty much have the same three time periods: the 1940s, when the movies were set; the early 1970s, when the movies were made; and today, when we watch them from the perspective of the twenty-first century.
In "Summer of '42," a 15-year-old boy named Hermie falls in love with a 22-year-old woman named Dorothy.
The score most assuredly stands the test of time.The movie's coming-of-age story is sweet, lovely, full of nostalgia...
Later the main and quite endearing character, Hermie, is smitten with an 'older' 20 something year old woman, Dorothy (played by the lovely Jennifer O'Neill), whose husband is off fighting World War II.
It is a lot funnier than I remember it, but funny in a truthful way, the way it depicts 15-yr-old boys, on summer vacation, and more than a bit obsessed with the female body and sex.Gary Grimes at 15 played 15-yr-old Hermie, and the movie is shown from his perspective.
Typical of a boy that age (I seem to remember) he caught a glimpse of a lovely woman, Jennifer O'Neill, 22 during filming, as Dorothy who shared a cottage with her husband.
He was smitten and of course, being basically a shy boy with no illusions that a lovely 22-yr-old would ever look twice at him, simply lived his fantasy in his mind.However as young luck ("when preparation and opportunity meet") would have it, Hermie happens upon Dorothy as she is coming out of the local grocery story, arms overladen with bags, and he offers to help and even carry them home for her.
On a different day she asks him to help her place some boxes in the attic, all innocent on her part, but for Hermie it was almost like they were dating.The movie also has a few scenes with Hermie and Oscy meeting up with a couple of local girls, exploring their sexuality, but the main story is Hermie coming of age, so to speak.It is interesting that neither O'Neill nor Grimes achieved any particular acting fame after this, even though they are great here, in one of the more memorable movies of the 1970s.
As well as knocking around with his two friends, he also contrives to spend time with Dorothy (Jennifer O'Neill), the young woman in the neighbouring beach house whose husband is away in the war.
And Jennifer O'Neill's beauty alone is reason enough to keep this from falling apart completely.I was just not convinced that a grieving young woman, on the day she received word that her husband was killed in the war, would seduce a 15-year-old boy and then leave forever next day.