Watch When Every Day Was the Fourth of July

When Every Day Was the Fourth of July is a dramatic film released in 1978, directed by Dan Curtis and starring Dean Jones, Louise Sorel, and Chris Petersen. Set in a small town in America during the summer of 1933, the movie is a story of heart-warming nostalgia which blends humor with sentiment. The movie might have originally been aired as a TV movie, but it underwent a theatrical release later on.

The plot of the movie revolves around a young boy named Cousin (portrayed by Chris Petersen), who lives with his grandparents in a small town. Cousin is the heart and soul of the community, and he takes part in all the 4th of July celebrations every year. He is a gregarious and outgoing personality who endeavors to bring people together and help them overcome their differences.

However, things take a turn for the worse when a group of hoodlums threaten to ruin the 4th of July celebrations. This group of vagabonds includes a self-proclaimed prophet who preaches about the end of the world, and his followers are not averse to causing a scene. The town's people are not too happy about this, but they seem powerless in front of this menacing group.

Cousin's grandfather, played by Dean Jones, is a former boxer and decides to teach the thugs a lesson. The two groups engage in a brawl, which triggers a sequence of events that shape the rest of the movie. The movie accurately captures the goings-on of an era where people were struggling with the Great Depression, and patriotism was their only solace.

The movie also explores the themes of family and friendship, along with small-town values in America. Through the eyes of Cousin, we see how people stick together and overcome their differences to protect the things they hold dear. He teaches the people around him to resist the instigation of the miscreants who want to stir up chaos.

What makes When Every Day Was the Fourth of July a memorable movie is its ability to capture the essence of American celebrations. The fourth of July was, and still is, one of the most significant days celebrated in America, and the movie does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of the day. The movie is essentially a slice of life drama that showcases the human spirit and how people come together to fight for what they believe in.

The actors' performances add to the movie's charm, with Chris Petersen's portrayal of Cousin stealing the show. He captures the innocence and wonder of a small-town boy with aplomb, and his character arcs to maturity throughout the movie. Louise Sorel plays his grandmother, and she shines in her role as the voice of reason, often calming the fireworks when the townspeople clash. Dean Jones is convincing as a retired boxer, who uses his brawn to defend the community's interests.

The production design is realistic, with the small town depicted with empathetic sensitivity, and the 1930s era precisely captured. The visual effects and sound design are minimal, but they provide a sense of realism to the scenes that need it. The musical score is evocative, and the patriotic songs are sure to stir up emotions.

To sum up, When Every Day Was the Fourth of July is a riveting movie that captures the essence of small-town values in America. With its blend of drama, humor and sentimentality, the movie tells a powerful story about the human spirit and how people come together to fight for what they believe in. Despite being released over four decades ago, the movie remains relevant even today and is a testimony to the strength and resilience of the American people.

When Every Day Was the Fourth of July is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.