Watch Summer Magic

Summer Magic is a delightful family-friendly movie released in 1963 directed by James Neilson and written by Sally Benson. The movie stars Hayley Mills, Dorothy McGuire, and Burl Ives, who give outstanding performances in their respective roles that bring the plot to life. The story takes place during the early 1900s in rural America, where a widow named Mrs. Carey (McGuire) and her three children, Nancy (Mills), Julia (Deborah Walley), and Gilly (Eddie Hodges), move from Boston to live with their grandmother (Una Merkel) in the countryside. The children are initially unhappy about moving to the countryside, but they soon learn to appreciate the peacefulness and friendliness of the small town.

The plot revolves around the family's financial struggles since they have lost their father. Initially, Mrs. Carey intends to sell the family home in Boston and live with her mother-in-law, but they soon realize that the cost of selling the house and the expenses of maintaining the property in the countryside surpass the proceeds from the sales.

In the meantime, Nancy, who is the eldest daughter and the most mature one, begins working as a babysitter for a wealthy family, the Eggertons, in the neighboring town. One evening, Nancy accompanies the Eggertons to a society party where she meets a young lawyer, Tom Hamilton (Peter Brown), who becomes interested in her.

As the story progresses, the family encounters unexpected financial difficulties, leading them to consider selling their grandmother's home to make ends meet. However, Nancy comes up with a plan to pay the family's bills by opening the house as a bed and breakfast for summer vacationers. The concept proves to be successful, and their guests enjoy the serene environment and the hospitality of the Carey family.

Throughout the movie, the characters work through different struggles and eventually learn valuable life lessons. Mrs. Carey learns to accept help from friends, Nancy learns to follow her heart, and the younger children learn to appreciate the small town and their family.

The movie's musical score by the Sherman Brothers is memorable, featuring songs like "Flitterin'," "On the Front Porch," and my personal favorite, "Ugly Bug Ball." Burl Ives also sings several songs, including "Femininity" and "The Whiffenpoof Song," that provide comic relief to the otherwise emotional themes of the film.

Overall, Summer Magic is a heartwarming and entertaining movie that brings together poignant themes, relatable characters, and catchy music. The film's genuine portrayal of family struggles and triumphs, coupled with engaging performances from the talented cast, make it an enjoyable watch for all ages.

Summer Magic is a 1963 music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.