A Summer Place (1959)

Based on a book by Sloan Wilson, who had authorized the definitive 50's novel The Man in the Gray Flannel Suite, A Summer Place is a lesser Payton Place, a trashy, multi generational New England soap opera. The things these characters talk about, in public and mixed company, well they are not appropriate. Something is rather off about the dynamic between father Richard Egan and daughter Sandra Dee, why does she tell him these things? At least he doesn't make it more awkward but just brushes it aside, a parenting win for Egan. Troy Donahue and Dee ain't great decision makers as a couple, but then neither are Egan and Dorothy McGuire. Arthur Kennedy gets the best part in the film, scene chewing as a drunk son of fading aristocracy. This film will always be better remembered for its beautiful theme music then for its story. ***