Summer Magic

G

Released Jul 7, 1963

1h 40m

Kids & Family

Musical

Comedy

List

Reviews

76%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

When widowed Margaret Carey (Dorothy McGuire) gets into money trouble, her teenage daughter, Nancy (Hayley Mills), devises a plan to cut costs. She writes to Osh (Burl Ives), the caretaker of an estate in Maine, and gets permission for the family to rent it for a song, with one catch -- the vacationing owner, Tom Hamilton, must be none the wiser. Though the Carey clan spends a carefree summer fixing up the big yellow house, Nancy fears that Hamilton will arrive and spoil the fun.

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

...presumably intended for kiddies, but I didn't hear much laughter from any age group the day I forced myself to sit through it.

Oct 7, 2019

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Corny but heartwarming Disney charmer for kids of all ages.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 10, 2006

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Aug 10, 2005

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Tony Mastroianni

Cleveland Press

A pleasant, unpretentious picture overlaid with sentiment and nostalgia an inch thick.

Nov 20, 2003

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steve d

Not one of Mills's best but it still works.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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r 9

Another one to put in the 'meh' category of live-action Disney. 'Summer Magic' isn't entertaining. You have Hayley Mills (Nancy), Burl Ives (Osh) and Dorothy McGuire (Margaret) all giving alright performances but most others things in this film are very plain. The musical numbers are forgettable, as is the overall premise and supporting cast under Mills, Ives and McGuire. I have most definitely seen worse from the studio, this is still at least watchable. Going back to the plot, it just feels a bit slapped together without much thought or solid connection. The film ends quite abruptly, too. 1963, it's safe to say, wasn't Disney's strongest year for live-action. This adds to the disappointments of 'Son of Flubber', 'Miracle of the White Stallions' and 'Savage Sam'. Here's hoping 'The Incredible Journey' will conclude their releases from these twelve months on a high.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I watched the hell out of this movie as a kid. A fun movie to relax with, but with little conflict to really compel the viewer to get invested in what little story there is. I do love the "Pink of Perfection" song.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A sweet inoffensive story, which filled a couple of hours, but didn't hold my attention much as I'd hoped.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

It was not magical, but it does have the Disney cheese to warm your belly.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

s r

Uplifting quality entertainment.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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James Neilson

Director

Hayley Mills

Nancy Carey

Burl Ives

Osh Popham

Dorothy McGuire

Margaret Carey

Deborah Walley

Julia Carey

Eddie Hodges

Gilly Carey

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Synopsis

When widowed Margaret Carey (Dorothy McGuire) gets into money trouble, her teenage daughter, Nancy (Hayley Mills), devises a plan to cut costs. She writes to Osh (Burl Ives), the caretaker of an estate in Maine, and gets permission for the family to rent it for a song, with one catch -- the vacationing owner, Tom Hamilton, must be none the wiser. Though the Carey clan spends a carefree summer fixing up the big yellow house, Nancy fears that Hamilton will arrive and spoil the fun.

Director: James Neilson
Screenwriter: Sally Benson
Distributor: Buena Vista Distribution Co. Inc.
Production Co: Walt Disney Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Kids & Family, Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 7, 1963, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2014
Runtime: 1h 40m

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