A Summer Place

Released Oct 22, 1959

2h 10m

Drama

List

83%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

70%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

The big-screen adaptation of Sloan Wilson's popular novel follows wealthy Ken Jorgenson (Richard Egan) as he brings his wife (Constance Ford) and teenage daughter, Molly (Sandra Dee), to the Maine vacation spot where he worked as a middle-class youth. When Ken reunites with his former flame, the now-married Sylvia (Dorothy McGuire), it sparks a passionate tryst. Meanwhile, Sylvia's son, Johnny (Troy Donahue), and Molly begin a romance of their own, unaware of their parents' affair.

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Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

The movie is so-so, BUT that great theme music!

Rated: 3/5

Jun 7, 2007

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

Overlong and overwrought...

Rated: 1.5/4

Mar 19, 2007

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Reflecting the sexual angsts and domestic anxieties of the 1950s, Delmer Daves' schmaltzy melodrama is known today for catapulting Troy Donahue and Sandra Dee to stardom and for Max Steiner's melodic tune, which became that year's most popular song.

Rated: B-

Jul 4, 2005

Full Review

James Sanford

Kalamazoo Gazette

Soap opera supreme, 1950s-style. "We've got to be good..."

Rated: 4/5

Jan 23, 2004

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rated: 3/5

Jan 12, 2004

Full Review

Philip Martin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Rated: 3/5

Jul 26, 2002

Full Review

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Audience Member

A decent theme song, but only the cover versions not the sound track one. As for the screenplay, acting, etc. they all sucked. Two words: dated and hokey!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

07/13/24

Full Review

Veronique R

It feels so outdated and awkward at many occassions. I watched it, holding my beath and feeling totally fascinated. I was born only a few years after this movie was made. Glad my mother didnt ask a doctor to check my vagina after a date with a boy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/29/24

Full Review

Lanfranco C

A great soundtrack, but the movie comes from an other time.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/07/24

Full Review

David S

For a movie made in 1959 it was very candid on subjects not spoken of at by this generation. Quite entertaining.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

Full Review

David K

This is one from the sly wit category. It comes across as a soap opera but the lines are actually funny. Take for instance Sandra Dee looking deeply into Troy Donahue's eyes and saying something like "Have you been bad with any girls since I last saw you?" Let's give Delmer Daves some credit here.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

05/04/23

Full Review

Douglas G

You don't need to watch the movie; just play the theme version on YOUTUBE with the scenes of Sandra Dee looking doe eyed at Jonny. Not the greatest actress who ever lived, but the visuals of her eyes and smiles are enough.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/25/23

Full Review

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Delmer Daves

Director

Richard Egan

Ken Jorgenson

Dorothy McGuire

Sylvia Hunter

Sandra Dee

Molly Jorgenson

Arthur Kennedy

Bart Hunter

Troy Donahue

Johnny Hunter

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Synopsis

The big-screen adaptation of Sloan Wilson's popular novel follows wealthy Ken Jorgenson (Richard Egan) as he brings his wife (Constance Ford) and teenage daughter, Molly (Sandra Dee), to the Maine vacation spot where he worked as a middle-class youth. When Ken reunites with his former flame, the now-married Sylvia (Dorothy McGuire), it sparks a passionate tryst. Meanwhile, Sylvia's son, Johnny (Troy Donahue), and Molly begin a romance of their own, unaware of their parents' affair.

Director: Delmer Daves
Producer: Delmer Daves
Screenwriter: Delmer Daves
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Warner Brothers/Seven Arts
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 22, 1959, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2009
Runtime: 2h 10m

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