‘Summer Holiday’ is an American musical comedy film directed by Rouben Mamoulian and starring Mickey Rooney and Gloria DeHaven. It is based on the 1935 play Ah, Wilderness! by Eugene O’Neill. The film is a modern retelling of the play, which originally starred Rooney as the younger brother.
Review of Summer Holiday (1948)
Summer Holiday is a droll and occasionally silly comedy. In its plot, a father tries to keep his son and his wife apart for the sake of their marriage. When he fails, Richard goes on a drunken rampage and ends up meeting a dance-hall girl and spending every last cent. He gets kicked out of the bar and catches hell from his father, but things end up turning out alright in the end. The movie benefits from Mamoulian’s inventiveness and handsome cinematography, and there are some nice songs thrown in as well.
Summer Holiday has a good cast and is beautifully shot. Although critics have declared it to be a flop, it is an enjoyable piece of Americana that introduces new music and storytelling techniques. It also marks the transition from pre-war MGM movie musicals to those of the 1950s.
Despite its age, Summer Holiday is a great looking film, featuring bright Technicolour and beautiful scenery. A sequence in the bar room is the highlight of the movie. A charming and catchy song score complements this sequence. However, a number of scenes don’t really have a clear focus on the protagonist’s feelings.
Although Summer Holiday was commissioned in 1946, the movie wasn’t released until 1948. This was because the studio felt that the earlier release date would not generate good box office. However, the production ended up bombing and receiving negative reviews from critics.
Review of Ah, Wilderness
Ah, Wilderness! was written by Eugene O’Neill in his sleep. The play is a mixture of conventional pleasantries and debaucherous revelries. It was a hit at the box office and remains one of O’Neill’s most popular plays. The play was written while O’Neill was having problems with his ‘god play,’ Days Without End. After a two-year revision process, the play was canceled. O’Neill subsequently slipped into depression and secluded himself from the stage for twelve years.
The play is a satire on the growing pains of adolescence, but the play remains remarkably true to the spirit of small-town America. Its quality depends on its mood, atmosphere, and characterization. The film also benefits from Mamoulian’s inventive camera work and the attractive songs.
The film is set during a Fourth of July celebration in New London in 1906. While the Miller family in the play are not exactly the same as those in the film, they do share many traits in common. Despite the similarities, the play is not a perfect fit for summer.
Mickey Rooney is too old for this role, and his acting isn’t good. It’s also a bit dated, as he was on the verge of a second marriage. Unlike the original 1935 version, this film was a disappointment at the box office. It was followed by Words and Music, which was also a financial failure. It ended Rooney’s reign as box office champ and was the beginning of his downfall.
Review of ‘Summer Holiday’
A review of Summer Holiday 1948 may surprise you. Despite being delayed for two years, this movie is actually very enjoyable, despite its flop-like fate. Although it only grossed $1.5 million at the box office, Summer Holiday is a charming slice of Americana. The movie is a musical remake of Ah, Wilderness (1935). It is shot in vivid colours and displays the quality of MGM’s production values.
Summer Holiday is visually stunning and is filled with beautiful scenery. There are some memorable songs, but the dancing and choreography could have been better. The editing is also sloppy and lacks smooth transitions. This can make for a less enjoyable experience. However, despite its flaws, Summer Holiday does have some great performances.
The story follows the Miller family. The youngest son Tommy is played by Mickey Rooney. Richard, the film’s protagonist, is a dreamy-eyed high-school student who plans to use his valedictory speech to rant about social ills. His disillusionment with the social order is a cover for his trepidations about adolescence and sex.
As a romantic comedy, Summer Holiday is a charming and fun movie. Its protagonist, Richard, is frustrated that he has no opportunity to see his beloved Muriel, and so goes on a drunken spree. Meanwhile, his father gives him hell. Luckily, the film has a happy ending. Its witty dialogue and handsome cinematography give it a strong edge. The film also contains a number of great songs.
Podobne tematy