A Summer Place (1959)

In the heart of Maine lies Pine Island, home to a once grand mansion turned rundown inn, owned by the Hunter family. The patriarch, Bart Hunter, an alcoholic and weak-willed man, lives a life of faded opulence with his wife Sylvia and their son Johnny. The family's struggle to make ends meet is only outshined by the quiet despair lurking within Bart and Sylvia's loveless marriage. This summer, the inn welcomes the Jorgenson family from Buffalo. Ken Jorgenson, a former lifeguard on the island turned self-made millionaire through his work as a research scientist, is accompanied by his prudish, appearance-obsessed wife Helen, and their daughter Molly. Much like the Hunters, the Jorgensons' marriage is steeped in dissatisfaction, their façade of perfection barely concealing the rifts beneath. As the embers of an old romance between Ken and Sylvia begin to glow anew, their children Johnny and Molly find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another. These twin romances, one a rekindling of past passion, the other a youthful exploration of first love, face turbulent waters. Helen's mistrust and disdain threaten to overshadow her daughter's budding romance, while Ken and Sylvia's clandestine affair risks tearing their families apart. Divorce isn't an option, as neither spouse would willingly relinquish their hold on their children. Caught in the crossfire of their parents' mistakes, Johnny and Molly grapple with their disapproval of the affair and their own unfolding love story. Despite the turmoil, Ken and Sylvia strive to guide their children towards love and happiness, a task made daunting by the whirlwind of emotions and their children's own burgeoning desires. In the end, "A Summer Place" is a tale of love and longing, of past mistakes shaping future choices, and the struggle to break free from emotional shackles. It paints a vivid picture of two families intertwined by love, enmity, and the hope for a better tomorrow, all set against the backdrop of a once glorious mansion on a quaint Maine island.

A Summer Place is a drama movie featuring Richard Egan and directed by Delmer Daves.

It is possible to buy A Summer Place on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.