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Poster for Summer of '42

Summer of '42

Seen it?

1971 | 103 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

Saturday Specialearly rating

Why it’s a Saturday Special

It won an Oscar and it's still drawing plenty of interest, despite soft box office. A strong pick for the weekend.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved Lolita or The Diary of a Teenage Girl, start here.
The mood
Funny with heart, romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG: peril. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • Made in 1971: an older pace and style.

Over the summer of 1942 on Nantucket Island, three friends -- Hermie, Oscy and Benjie -- are more concerned with getting laid than anything else. Hermie falls in love with the married Dorothy, whose husband is an army pilot recently sent to the battlefront of World War II.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsSolid

    78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 59 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    6.7 out of 10

  • AwardsStrong

    Won 1 Oscar: Best Original Dramatic Score. Also nominated for 3 more Oscars.

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $32 million worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactStrong

    About 117K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Robert Mulligan

  • Jennifer O'NeillDorothy
  • Gary GrimesHermie
  • Jerry HouserOscy
  • Oliver ConantBenjie
  • Katherine AllentuckAggie
  • Christopher NorrisMiriam
  • Lou FrizzellDruggist
  • Walter ScottDorothy's Husband (uncredited)
  • Maureen StapletonHermie's Mother (voice) (uncredited)
  • Robert MulliganNarrator (voice) (uncredited)