Summer Magic Reviews

• Disney Magic

  
  By A2AOZQ3WTNVVOK on 2005-01-02
  When Disney studios brought together a talented cast, a simple but effective script, and their family oriented production values, the result was often magic. Such was the case with this film, one of Hayley Mills' best.
  
  When we join the movie the Carey family is under difficult times. Margaret Carey's (Dorothy McGuire) husband has recently passed away. Stock investments made by Mr. Carey have added to the family's fiscal woes. As Mrs. Carey struggles to figure out how the family will survive, headstrong Nancy Carey (Mills) has taken matters into her own hands by writing to Mr. Ossium "Osh" Popham (Burl Ives in one of his best roles) to ask whether a certain yellow house was available for rent. That Nancy exaggerated the extent of the family's financial need is temporarily overlooked, but not forgotten. Mr. Popham is more than happy to help the family and invites them to move into the yellow house for a modest rent.
  
  The yellow house turns out to need a fair amount of work to make it livable, and Osh, who is also the owner of the local general store, continues to aid the Careys as they make improvements. We soon find out that Osh has not communicated with the owner of the house, Tom Hamilton (Peter Brown), with respect to all the various happenings related to the yellow house, and we know that at some point there will likely come a reckoning.
  
  Adding to the family oriented fun is younger brother Peter Carey (Jimmy Mathers), who finds a creative way to get his hair cut, and then adopts a dog for the family. Cousin Julia Carey (Deborah Walley) is forced to move in with the Carey's due to financial circumstances with the family she has been living. That well-to-do family and their lifestyle causes a lot of stress in the financially strapped Carey family as Julia tends to mention them far too much.
  
  Other supporting cast members include Una Merkel as Mariah Popham and Michael J. Pollard as Digby Popham. Michael also appeared in an episode of the original "Star Trek" television series.
  
  The movie is somewhat anachronistic as feminism is equated with hiding your true self, particularly in the quest for seeking a husband. Yet, with that same definition of feminism we see strong female roles for Dorothy McGuire and Hayley Mills, so the relatively archaic attitude towards feminism is tempered somewhat.
  
  As with any Disney movie, the realities of life are not completely ignored, and the long-absent Tom Hamilton finally shows up. While the difficult issue of what Mr. Hamilton will do with a family that has become somewhat of a squatter in his house, the ending does provide hope that all will turn out well in spite of Nancy's fears of the "yellow peril."
  
  This movie has a few brief moments that may tinge on unsuitability for younger audiences, but parents should be able to explain those situations. Otherwise, I consider this movie suitable for families including even the youngest children. This movie is a winner that any family will find to be an excellent addition to their video collection.
  
  
  
  

• Classic Hayley Mills

  
  By A1GHUN5HXMHZ89 on 2005-02-17
  Definitely one of Hayley Mills best films. Her fans definitely love it. Burl Ives, Dorothy McGuire, and Michael Pollard are wonderful in their roles as well as Hayley. The sets and music are delightful in this movie about an earlier time when life was simpler and although challenging, much kinder. Hayley does a fine job playing a young lady that is always full of optimism. In some respects like the optimism of Bing Crosby in "The Bells of St. Mary's". She charms her way to get what she wants. This color movie doesn't seem to age, since if you didn't know when it was made, you would think it could have been recently. Amazingly families today still find this an enjoyable movie, but then it is an amazing movie. Full of warmth and values of the heart. I recommend it to all, but especially to anyone that enjoys the older Disney classics.
  
  

• Flitterin', Flitterin', Flitterin'

  
  By A1XLJO93JYAXP3 on 2000-01-12
  For anyone who enjoys a good, heartwarming movie - this is the one for you! This is a wonderful story of a family who leaves the city and pursues a life in the country at "the yellow house". This is a movie that I not only enjoyed watching as a kid, but still enjoy as an adult! The happy songs will stick in your head, and you will wish you could live in the same town with Hayley Mills and her family! This is a wholesome, family worthy movie that you will want to watch over and over! I promise! Enjoy the movie - I think it's a Disney classic! If you are a Mills fan as I am, then I would also suggest watching "That Darn Cat".
  
  

• A Wonderful Film

  
  By A2K6ADPS1QC6LX on 1999-08-11
  After "The Parent Trap", this is Hayley Mills' best movie. It's funny, warm, and will leave you feeling good about life. Hayley Mills and Burl Ives deliver great performances, as does all the cast. This is a Disney classic, a must-see and must-own!
  
  

• Delightful picture

  
  By A1KQ9JEI5Q514U on 2001-08-11
  This picture may not be rich in plot but it has a wonderful air about it that will make you feel good all over.When I was a child I begged my parents to take me to this movie. My parents ignored me and took me to a movie they wanted to see. As it turned out the movie they wanted to see had a sneak preview of Summer Magic. For years I have resisted purchasing this Hayley Mills classic. I don't know why I waited. It is excellent.
  
  
• great family movie
  By on 2003-06-10
  I saw this movie as a child when it first came out. I loved it so much, even now, all these years later, it still brings back those wonderful memories of a truly enchanting and "magical" movie. My daughter watched it with me several years ago and this movie has since become a summer tradition for us to get together to watch. My daughter lives over two thousand miles away but will be visiting me on the 4th of july, and we have already made plans to put in our "Summer Magic". I hope they will put it on DVD soon, because I will have a copy to cherish along with all of my wonderful memories involved around this lovely movie.
  
  
• This is a really fun movie!
  By A2G7JFHNUEC45G on 2001-09-02
  I love this movie!It's got lots of humor, a bit of romance, and some really neat songs like "Beuila" and "Pink of Perfection" and more! I love the part where Gilly and Nancy sings about Julia who's "The Pink of Perfection". I wish I could get more of the Hayley Mills collection! This is a movie you've GOT to watch!! It really fun!
  
  
• magic "Summer" finally comes to DVD!
  By ABH4G7TVI6G2T on 2005-05-14
  SUMMER MAGIC, Disney's sunny nostalgia-fest, makes it's DVD debut in a crisp anamorphic transfer.
  
  Hayley Mills never looked more lovelier than as Nancy Carey, a young girl who helps her newly-bankrupt family move to the small town of Beulah, Maine, and into `The Yellow House'. The arrival of Cousin Julia (Deborah Walley) causes some fireworks, with both Nancy and Julia fighting over the affections of the new schoolmaster, before Nancy falls in love with the mysterious Thomas Hamilton. The story is loosely based on "Mother Carey's Chickens" by Kate Douglas Wiggin.
  
  Burl Ives, Dorothy McGuire and Una Merkel co-star in good supporting roles. Other roles are taken by Eddie Hodges, Michael J. Pollard, Peter Brown, Wendy Turner, James Stacy and Jimmy Mathers (younger brother of Jerry 'Beaver' Mathers)
  
  Hayley Mills and the cast sing the entertaining Sherman Brothers score, including "Flitterin'", "The Ugly Bug Ball", "The Pink of Perfection", "On the Old Front Porch", "Femininity" and the Title Song.
  
  Disney has been `kind enough' to give SUMMER MAGIC the full anamorphic treatment. The 16:9 image is good, if unspectacular. With the studio in the bad habit of releasing most of it's back-catalogue titles in fullscreen, SUMMER MAGIC (one of the most-anticipated DVD releases) in widescreen should be quite an event for fans of this delightful movie.
  
  
• Femininity! Femininity! That's the way to catch a beau!
  By on 1999-08-07
  This is one of my most favorite movies! I love the songs. And I can just taste the ice cream and lemonade at the party! If you like Haley Mills and old fashioned values, you just have to get this movie!
  
  
• wow!!!this really is SUMMER MAGIC
  By A3HRIZN3UMK3J2 on 2000-07-04
  what can i say hayley mills is a disney legend,and this movie is one of her masterpeices beside THE PARENT TRAP,THE MOON-SPINNERS,POLLYANNA...and many other disney films this movie has an excellent plot and a wonderful cast i give this 5 stars!!!
  
  
• Soft Summer Magic
  By on 2004-03-09
  Hi! I'm Becky age 14. I've watched this a couple times, and loved it all the times. It does not include any offensive words, or anything eles concernig PG-13 movies. I wasn't around when Hayley Mills was a huge star or seen the rest of her movies or anything, but she did a wonderful job of acting. The special effects aren't incredably great by todays standards, but include that Disney Magic. Oh yeah, and the plot it great, a little slow in parts, but still great. This got boring after a while, so rent it a video rental store before you by it. Have fun!
  
  
• Hayley Mills at her best! Utterly Charming!
  By A2W3QPLYN504DN on 2005-04-20
  Being a life-long fan of Hayley Mills, I find this to be her best effort at the Disney Studios. This film is a charming slice of a lost age, showing rural life in a small town in turn of the century America. This movie is all Hayley, all the time, as well it should be. The incredible popularity Ms. Mills had attained at this point, so early in her career, is evidenced by the many covers she appeared on in all the fan magazines of the day (along side the likes of The Beatles, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Dick and Liz, and the other top stars of the day), the amount of ink dedicated to her in the press at the time, and the star treatment afforded her by Walt Disney in this film.
  
  This movie is suited for families and children of all ages, but there is plenty there for the adults, too. Lovely period costumes, wonderful and funny songs (sung by Hayley in her charming British accent, of course!), and the warm fuzzy feeling that comes with a timeless telling of a simple tale.
  
  I have to say the comments of two of the reviewers of this film on the substance of one of the songs Hayley sings, analyzing the verses for "anti-feminist content" are too funny! Any woman knows (and most men, too) that the advice given in the song "Femininity" is oh-so true. It is just not acceptable to point out the truth in ANYTHING these days that does not fit the current day PC model. To suggest that anyone, none the less "a woman," might engage in the time-tested feminine art of subterfuge in obtainig a mate... well, I guess those two feminist reviewers burned their bras with all those other warped, frustrated, unattractive fem-gal-types back in the 1960's, years AFTER this film was made! Hayley Mills is ALL FEMININE all the time. That used to be a compliment!
  
  For Hayley fans of all ages, this movie is a real winner! Buy it for yourself, buy it for your kids (especially the daughters), and treasure it always.
  
  Now if we can just get those corporate weasels at Disney to treat wonderful films from their archives, like this one, the way they did the fantastic DVD releases of "Pollyanna" and "The Parent Trap" by giving them the packaging, marketing and extras we want in a quality DVD release.
  
  
• Spans generations
  By AIHTXUCI3F440 on 2006-03-03
  I loved this movie as a girl and even more when I watched it with my girls. They were constantly singing "walk feminine ... talk feminine ..." and "she's the pink of perfection". They truly loved this movie. I made sure my children always saw all Disney favorites of mine as well as the new ones of theirs. But Hayley Mills was just naturally a favorite. The family situations and caring seemed so real to all of us. They often used some of the lines in their own lives. It's a feel good movie with a lot of heart tugs. The Sherman Brothers music will definitely stick with you. Speaking for myself, it is a wonderful opportunity for our children to get to know the great talent of Burl Ives. It leaves you wanting to live in the "big yellow house".
  
  
• lame and cheesy
  By A3KM9UA6MAVURN on 2007-01-01
  I purchased this because I liked Trouble with Angels and Pollyanna, the Chalk Garden and even Parent Trap. I had never heard of this movie and in a moment of nostalgia decided to purchase it based on its high reviews. This movie was clearly a vehicle meant to capitalize on Mill's popularity in better more deserving movies, but in itself it is just awful. The story makes no sense and has no real resolution. The singing is abysmal and made me wince. Every Disney hackneyed device was thrown into this movie, and that and a bad script pulled it down. I'm sorry I believed the reviews. Hayley Mills was a wonderful child actress, but nothing could save this vehicle. If you like the worst of Disney cheese, you'll love this. Otherwise steer clear.
  
  
• Somewhat disappointed
  By AD2BIAIH78QI5 on 2003-04-22
  Many a moon ago, I saw the final 15 minutes of this movie on "Wonderful World of Disney" and so regretted coming late--it seemed like it was a really good movie!

  Well, about two weeks ago, I came across "Summer Magic" at the public library, and snatched it to my bosom to take home and show the folks. But alas, the 90 minutes or so preceding that last 15 minutes were not so engaging as I had hoped.

  "Summer Magic" is not a bad movie, but it is really rather uneventful. Burl Ives just shuffles around his store and Dorothy McGuire's house. We are told at the outset that Ms. McGuire has been recently widowed and left kinda penniless. But when she comes home, she's pretty stylishly dressed for a grieving widow and never seems to rgeret the loss of whoever it was she was married to. I wondered if this was so she could find romance in the new location she was headed for with her family; she'd have to be out of mourning almost to think of such things. But no, nothing like that developed. Her daughter Hayley Mills was the usual HM kind of heroine, except that I did find her a little too cruel to her visiting cousin. I don't know why that girl would elect to keep living there, because nobody does treat her nicely, despite what Ms. McGuire says. Hayley's brothers are weird looking, so much so that I found Burl's son Michael J. Pollard to be better-looking than they, so draw what conclusions you will from that.

  So, my quest for "Summer Magic" was an anticlimax for me. Workmanlike Disney fare. Mediocre.
  
  

• Magic Finally Comes to DVD
  By A2NLIB986TEESZ on 2005-05-12
  A summertime treat for lovers of old-fashioned movies about people and their relationships to one another instead of innumerable scenes of overwrought special effects. And, hurrah, Disney has released it in widescreen in a beautiful, colorful new version.
  
  The Carey family, left nearly penniless by the death of Mr. Carey and some bad business investments, move lock, stock and player piano to the small town of Beulah, Maine, after lively Nancy Carey, played with all her adolescent charm by Hayley Mills, spins a hard-luck story to the caretaker of the house, softhearted grocer Ossian (Osh) Popham. Even after learning the Careys aren't quite as badly off as Nancy painted--a very funny scene with Burl Ives!--Osh rents them the house and proceeds to help them through the coming weeks, giving son Gilbert (Eddie Hodges) a job and helping little Peter (a bit-sweet Jimmy Mathers) get a boyish haircut so the town kids won't tease him any more.
  
  Just as things are going well, the Careys must take in their cousin Julia (Deborah Walley), a stuck-up miss who refuses to help with the chores and becomes Nancy's rival for the attentions of the new schoolmaster.
  
  This is a lemonade-and-sit-on-the-porch type movie just made for a Sunday afternoon. Ives, Mills, Walley as the "pink of perfection" Julia, and Dorothy McGuire as Mrs. Carey particularly shine, and Ives is very funny as he plays interference between his forthright wife who wants to tell the Careys the truth about their rental of the house.
  
  Oh, and that "controversial" song about femininity? It's actually very funny, because in an age where women didn't have many rights, the girls know exactly how to twist "the system" so they enjoyed more freedom than society allowed!
  
  (When you finish SUMMER MAGIC be sure to grab a copy of the original book, MOTHER CAREY'S CHICKENS. There are more stories about the Careys--and the book includes a sister, Kathleen, who was left out of the movie story--and another family they help, a boy and girl who are neglected by their scholarly father. Julia is a complete pill in the book, too; enjoy!)
  
  
• Summer Magic is not so magic
  By A2B6885U5HKRGZ on 2005-08-24
  This is the third of Hayley Mills pictures for Walt Disney and is the weakest by far. Pollyanna and The Parent Trap are superb pictures but Summer Magic is just not in the same class. Hayley is great but the chemistry and story just don't work.
  
  
• Loved it as I have all Haley mills movies I have seen
  By A24WVB4ZOQY99H on 1999-08-06
  This movie was made before my time but is a timeless feel good movie. Ms Mills is one of my all time favorites. Burl Ives gives a fabulous performance. Great for all ages,
  
  
• One of Mill's best!
  By on 1999-01-23
  Summer Magic was the movie I fell in love with Haley Mills. I know own all of her movies (I think) and always stop to catch up on her when she is in the news. This movie has everything that a good movie should possess. A great family film that a parent can trust their kids to watch. It has an outstanding cast and the score is out of sight. To this day, I still sing the songs under my breath when doing something. So for all the parents who are looking for a great wholesome movie to show your children, Summer Magic is the perfect choice.
  
  
• Summer Magic
  By AVUMDF2GXA89G on 2005-03-17
  This is a great family movie but if you really love the story read the book on which is was based "Mother Carrey and Her Chicken's" by Kate Douglas Wiggin, author of Rebecca Of Sunnybrook Farm.
  
  
• Delightful Movie From My CHildhood
  By A1HXW41A6ABY3S on 2005-05-25
  I RARELY WENT TO MOVIES AS A CHILD BUT I DID SEE MANY OF HAYLEY MILL'S MOVIES AND LIKED ALL OF THEM. I REMEMBER SITTING WITH MY SISTER CANDY IN THE THEATRE AND LOVING SUMMER MAGIC. TO THIS DAY I CAN SING THE SONGS HAYLEY SANG IN THE MOVIE. THIS IS THE KIND OF A YOUNG GIRL MOVIE I WISH THE LITTLE GIRLS IN MY LIFE COULD SEE NOW. IT IS SOFT AND KIND AND GLIDES THROUGH SCENES OF SUMMER THAT MAKE A SOUL SIGH. YOUNG GIRLS ESPECIALLY WILL DELIGHT IN THIS MOVIE AND PERHAPS IT COULD BE A GUIDE FOR MOTHER'S WHO WISH TO ALLOW THEIR DAUGHTERS BE YOUNG AT HEART. YOU WILL WANT TO WATCH IT WITH THEM I AM SURE.
  
  
• Excellent, Long Time Coming to DVD
  By A3M96GONFR3E0Y on 2005-09-01
  Classic Hayley Mills film. Glad it finally came out on DVD. Such joyous and innocent films like this are not made nowdays. Do hope one of her more serious films, The Chalk Garden with Deborah Kerr and her father will also be soon available on DVD. This film shows an even greater depth to her acting talent.
  
  
• loved it
  By ACKZYG6EG3Q0K on 2006-03-22
  My teenage niece loves this movie. I bought it for her birthday.
  
  
• The perfect movie to describe a magical summer!
  By on 1999-06-15
  This is one of my all-time favorite movies! To this day, my sister and I still recite lines such as "She's not knock-kneed Nancy!" I recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys Hayley Mills!
  
  
• It's really good!
  By ARIJC01PW1M39 on 2004-04-19
  I love the end part when the owner of the house shows up and they dance and everyone just stares at him. Isn't he cute?
  
  
• Corny
  By A39ARV0OY7ZDGG on 2004-05-28
  This movie is very corny. It is also annoying. It is a little unrealistic that everything would work out so well for this family. It is horribly corny. It is unbelieveable because Hayley Mills has a British accent and her family does not. Burl Ives's role is also cheesy (what else is new), and the name of the dude who owns the house's name is stolen from the bass player is Aerosmith, Tom Hamilton. The movie glorifies old ideals, such as country being better than the city. U should stay away from this one. It is not worth a stinking penny.
  
  
• Nostalgia at its Best
  By A2SP91HLUP7I5S on 2005-04-10
  There are many people waiting for Hayley Mills to transport us back to an easier time when people cared and were kinder to each other. It's not Norman Rockwell, but it is realistic - even with a spoiled cousin coming for a visit, changing her ways, and then staying. The only disappointment is that you never know what happens, if anything does, between Nancy (Mills) and Tom Hamilton.
  
  This is an entertaining and nicely written Disney movie. In my imagination, I never once thought about Hayley Mills' accent - I was too caught up in the story. It was one movie I was happy to share with my children, and now my 25-year-old daughter has ordered it for herself.
  
  
• Good movie, bad musical
  By A3GA09FYFKL4EY on 2005-06-14
  Hayley Mills shows her charm once again in this young-adult classic, and if you're looking for family entertainment, this is a delightful story. The problem is that it's presented as a musical with songs that really add nothing to the story and are, quite frankly, dumb, especially "Pink of Perfection". The story itself is not as good as "Pollyanna" or "The Parent Trap" but entertaining nonetheless.
  
  
• Loved it!
  By AVNL0D7IYMAOG on 2006-03-17
  I used to watch this movie all the time growing up, and I was so excited when I found it on Amazon, for such a great price. I've already watched it a couple times, and I've introduced it to my friends with kids, who love it as well.
  
  
• Summer Magic
  By A1KAEFNR8HVDMX on 2006-11-10
  I remember watching this movie many moons ago, I enjoyed it then and I enjoyed it now. It took me back to my childhood, which was a great one. It's nice to watch a movie with no violence, swearing or nudity. I highly recommend it.
  
  

• The Moon-Spinners
• The Parent Trap (1961) and The Parent Trap II (1986): 2-Movie Collection (2-Disc Set)
• Pollyanna (Vault Disney Collection)
• In Search of the Castaways
• The Trouble with Angels