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Richard Egan, Dorothy McGuire, Sandra Dee, Arthur Kennedy, Troy Donahue ... see more see more... , Constance Ford , Beulah Bondi , Jack Richardson , Martin Eric , Eleanor Audley , Marshall Bradford , Peter Constanti , Richard Deacon , Ann Doran , Gertrude Flynn , Bonnie Franklin , Everett Glass , Howard Hoffman , Lewis Martin , Junius Matthews , Susan Odin , Roberta Shore , Arthur Space , Helen Wallace , Phil Chambers , Robert Griffin , George Taylor , Dorothy Mc Guire

The Jorgensons are a wealthy family spending the summer on a resort island. Ken (Richard Egan), Helen (Constance Ford) and daughter Molly (Sandra Dee) settle in to a beach house on the island where Ke... read more read more...n was a young lifeguard twenty years ago. He rediscovers Sylvia (Dorothy McGuire), with whom he had an earlier affair before she married Bart Hunter (Arthur Kennedy). The Hunter's son Johnny (Troy Donahue) and Molly fall in love, much to the objection of her mother, a cold and cynical woman. When Ken and Sylvia start another torrid affair, the exposure of the liaison leads to the divorce of both married couples. After Johnny and Molly are stranded overnight on a beach, Molly is forced by her heartless mistrusting mother to undergo a physical examination and a pregnancy test. Tests results are negative, but more negative is the mother-daughter relationship. Ken and Sylvia get married and Molly gets pregnant. The newlyweds then compassionately guide unwed couple to marriage. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

Flixster Users

79% liked it

927 ratings

Critics

83% liked it

6 critics

Unrated, 2 hr. 10 min.

Directed by: Delmer Daves

Release Date: October 22, 1959

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DVD Release Date: February 6, 2007

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Stats: 84 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (84)

  • ajv2688
    November 21, 2010
    ajv2688
    If you've seen Grease you've heard that song about Sandra Dee, Sandra plays against that image in this movie. I liked this movie because I could relate, as many do, to the predicament of having divorced parents who date people and you're expected to like them. Plus, the teenage... read more dilemmas in the story as well. Overall a good movie, I liked it.
  • jjnxn
    May 31, 2009
    jjnxn
    Lush story of forbidden love and teen love in beautiful settings with a memorable score. Constance Ford is a hoot as Sandra Dee's mother.
  • AlaineB
    March 22, 2011
    AlaineB
    Ex-lovers (living half-lives with their spouses) re-ignite and the chips fall all over the place. Solid performance by Dorothy McGuire. Richard Egan shows intensity. Arthur Kennedy has his moments. Constance Ford does despicable well. Tab Hunter and Sandra Dee as 1950s teens. ... read moreI kept having the feeling someone was going to fall off a cliff or have a car wreck, but they didn't. Watch and wonder if love can triumph.
  • Lester7L
    November 27, 2007
    Lester7L
    STARING THE LATE GREAT SANDRE DEE AND TROY DONAHUE. EENS COME OF AGE AND LEARN ABOUT LIFE, LOVE AND MORE! WELL DONE GREAT MOVIE!
  • teahsimmons
    August 19, 2007
    teahsimmons
    Don't know if I ever saw this whole film, but the theme song was heard on every radio station in the country for months. You can still hear it today.

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Critic Reviews

Steve Crum
June 7, 2007
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com

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

David Nusair
March 19, 2007
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews

Overlong and overwrought... Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 4, 2005
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 ... Full Review

James Sanford
January 23, 2004
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

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

Howard Thompson
March 25, 2006
Howard Thompson, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
January 10, 2004
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

Click to read the article Full Review

Carol Cling
January 12, 2004
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Philip Martin
July 26, 2002
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

John Thomason
February 15, 2007
John Thomason, Orlando Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

November 6, 2001
Movieline

Click to read the article Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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A Summer Place Trivia

  • What actress played Molly Jorgurson in A Summer Place -1951 -A Summer Place ?  Answer »
  • What actor played Johnny Hunter in the 1959 movie A Summer Place?  Answer »
  • A Summer place was Troy Donahue's first starring role ?  Answer »
  • Who has an adult affair in A Summer Place ?  Answer »
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