That Certain Summer

This movie came out when I was 17 years old. I remember watching it and at the same time hoping that my parents weren't paying attention or they would have changed the channel. I remember one scene at the park on the band stand. I was struggling with my own sexuality and this movie gave me a peek at the idea that not every gay person was some Nelly queen. That a gay person could look like everyone else and be just like anyone in the world doing any kind of work. I spent years waiting for this movie to be re-released and I am still waiting. I'm 52 years old now when will ABC realize that they can step up to plate and show how progressive they were and can be again. I would like to share this movie with many of those who are in need of role models as shown in the movie. RE-RELEASE THE MOVIE!!! it was life changing for me and I would love to see it before I leave this world just once more. It was and is important.

Very post Stonewall, That Certain Summer is a sensitive treatment of a story where teem Scott Jacoby discovers that the reason for his parents divorce is that he left mother Hope Lange for a man. Hal Holbrook plays the father and the other man is Martin Sheen.

This four character drama goes in equal measure to Holbrook, Sheen, Jacoby, and Lange. The three adults are figuring that it's time for Jacoby to learn the truth of things and are figuring the best way to go about it.

Sheen's character is an interesting one and less discussed. As he points out up to now when Jacoby visits his dad, Sheen clears out of the home of the home he and Holbrook have made for themselves. Naturally he resents this as if he and Holbrook are doing something wrong. We get a thoughtful presentation from Lange from the view of the wronged woman as to what she could have done to save her marriage.

Sadly there are still too many places on this earth that the worst thing in the world to be thought of is being gay. Some of the best television drama you'll ever see is the moment of truth when Holbrook confesses to Jacoby his sexual orientation.

That Certain Summer is one of the best made for TV dramas out there. Hopefully we'll get to see it again and soon.

I don't know if I would still think this movie was worth 8 or not. I have tried to find it for years, to view it as an adult and see if I would like it as much! I can't imagine how it was stuck into anybodies lineup. The letters must have come pouring in from all the far right fundamentalists! It seemed to be a TV movie way ahead of the pack with it's sensitive angle, from son's perspective. Nobody was a bad guy. I was following Scott Jacoby's career at the time and thought he did a great job! While portraying homosexuals was a brave career move (back then) for both Hal and Martin, I thought Scott stole the show! I think this may have been the best thing he did as an actor.

I remember this when it came out. Watched it. I thought it was sensitively done and a great film, period. There was nothing else at the time that even addressed male homosexuality unless you count the absurd Richard Burton/Rex Harrison movie 1969, which featured two nelly queens, neither of whom resembled me.

So, That Certain Summer was an obviously serious look at gay life (or, as it was called back the, "homosexual.") Hal Holbrook was excellent, as was Martin Sheen, who, by the time Grace and Frankie came out, was clearly comfortable playing a gay man. It was not much talked about, because gay culture was closeted (not me) back then, but the performances were genuinely excellent. Watch it if you can find it.

I am reminded of this serious 1972 TV movie as a result of the newly released film, Brokeback Mountain. I was only 18 at the time, but the Holbrook/Sheen/Lange movie stayed with me for all these years. I think I still have a crush on Martin Sheen in his turtleneck sweater. All three leads in the movie did an excellent job. The movie seemed so serious and rather dark at the time. I just wish we could have talked more about the subject matter back then. It was one of those TV movies that just "disappeared" from site or discussion group comments. (Thank goodness for VHS and DVDs!) I am not aware of any reruns of this movie...ever. I'm sure someone will use it in a documentary some day.