Before we close the books on July 2019, I wanted to write about some of my favorite summer movies. I present my list in no particular order, and I note that not each features a summer theme.
One or two were released during the summer months, became major hits for the year and remind this writer of that particular summer.
Each contains one or more the elements needed for memorable summer film – comedy, music, thrills, or simply a well-told tale that entertains and distracts from hot weather.
American Graffiti (1973) Before bringing “Star Wars” to movie theaters, George Lucas directed this gem of film about high school graduates and their friends spend a final night together before heading off to college “back east.” The movie includes cars, laughs, and a rocking soundtrack. The movie is one of the first to employ the “one-crazy-night” theme and does a wonderful job with it. The cast includes Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Richard Dreyfuss, Charles Martin Smith, and Bo Hopkins.
Dazed and Confused (1993) Director Richard Linklater’s tale of the first night of summer break in 1976. The story line follows students who about to enter their senior year at a Texas high school and those looking ahead to their freshmen year. Those old enough to remember 1976 will immediately recognize familiar characters and behaviors common to the era. The cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Wiley Wiggins, Jason London and Ben Affleck. The film’s soundtrack features many pop hits of the ‘70s. Music, cars, parties, and acts of defiance – everything one needs in a summer hit.
Grease (1978) John Travolta and Olivia Newton John star in this hugely popular hit from the summer of 1978. The show opens just as summer break is about to end and a new school year is set to begin. We follow a group of high school students through the academic year, focusing on the romance between good girl Sandy, and Danny, a greaser. Songs from the soundtrack remained on Top-40 playlists for months.
Ghostbusters (1984) Director Ivan Reitman’s tale of three former university instructors turned ghost hunters earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Picture and one for star Bill Murray for Best Actor. The movie dominated the box office in the summer of 1984. It doesn’t include a summer theme, but contains all the elements of a solid summer comedy.
Jaws (1975) Director Steven Spielberg’s mega-blockbuster summer hit won three Oscars (nominated for a fourth) and continues to pack a punch for suspense and shocks. The story centers on the hunt for a killer shark that is terrorizing the waters off a New England beach. The cast includes Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, Robert Shaw, and Murray Hamilton.
Meatballs (1979) A few years before making “Ghostbusters,” Director Ivan Reitman and Bill Murray partnered for this light comedy about the counselors and campers at a low-brow summer camp. Murray leads the cast, and his work makes “Meatballs” a better than average summer movie. It’s tame by today’s standards, but still entertaining and worthy of your time.
Beach Blanket Bingo (1965) Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello starred in several ”beach party” movies during the early 1960s, and ”Beach Blanket Bingo” is the best of the bunch, I think. The series featured light plots, young characters, surfing, and dancing. This movie stands apart from the rest of collection, because it refined the fundamental elements in the series. Harvey Lembeck supporting work as Eric Von Zipper, the buffoonish leader of the Rats, a motorcycle club, remains classic comedy from the 1960s. It’s all light-hearted, even nostalgic summer entertainment.
Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962) James Stewart stars as Roger Hobbs, a business executive and family man who plans a quiet family get away and gets a whole lot more in this light comedy that always reminds me of the family vacations of my childhood. The cast includes Maureen O’Hara, John McGiver, John Saxon, Reginald Gardiner, and Fabian.
Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) Director Michael Curtiz’s Oscar-winning salute to American entertainer George M. Cohan stars James Cagney as Cohan. This gem aired on TV nearly every July during my childhood and became a summertime tradition for my family. I think the song and dances numbers are entertaining, and the movies offers a solid jolt of patriotism.
- Did I miss your favorite? Post a comment here or email me at kbotterman@gmail.com. Thank you for reading.
