Summer Magic (1963)

In the early 20th century, Bostonian widow Margaret Carey (Dorothy McGuire) finds herself and her three children facing financial hardship following the death of her cultured husband. Their once affluent existence fades into a mere memory as they're forced to downsize and barely scrape by. However, hope ignites when her eldest, the spirited teenager Nancy Carey (Hayley Mills), discovers that their beloved "yellow house" in Beulah, Maine, a fond memory from a past vacation, is available for rent. With the assistance of Ostia "Osh" Popham (Burl Ives), the town's kindly mercantilist, they secure the charming but rundown house, sight unseen, owned by the enigmatic Tom Hamilton (Peter Brown), an absentee landlord currently residing in China. Osh, captivated by their story, rents them the house and even offers them the opportunity to live rent-free in exchange for house repairs and decoration. The resolute Careys dive into their rural adventure, navigating the trials of country life including tending to an inherited old English sheepdog and welcoming their snobbish cousin, Julia Carey (Deborah Walley). Amidst these challenges, Nancy stands on the cusp of womanhood, finding herself drawn to the handsome new schoolteacher, Charles Bryant (James Stacy), much like every other young woman in Beulah. However, beneath the surface of their idyllic rural life, a secret lurks. Unbeknownst to the Careys, Osh has neither informed nor sought approval from Mr. Hamilton regarding the rental agreement. The plot thickens as the family settles into their new home, blissfully unaware of the impending surprise that awaits them with the untimely return of the mysterious Mr. Hamilton. This Disney musical is filled with unexpected turns, as the Carey family's resilience is tested, and their bonds are strengthened on their journey to reclaim their lost magic of summer.

Summer Magic is a comedy movie featuring Hayley Mills and directed by James Neilson.

It is possible to buy Summer Magic on Amazon Video, Apple TV, DIRECTV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.