Class of '44

I am adding one more 4 to the Class of 44. At the time of its release, it was panned unmercifully by most critics; and they were not too far off the truth. Since I had such great regard for Summer of 42, which was twice as good as this film, I tried to keep an open mind about it. The only content I found amusing was the imitation of the Columbia University football team (they lost 70 in a row in the 70s). At least this team was better than Columbia. There did not seem to be any chemistry between Grimes and the actress with the birthmark or black and blue mark under her left eye, which I thought was terribly unattractive. Too many pots left on the stove boiling according to my old film professor. After one of the friends joins the marines, we never hear from him again. After Oscar joins the military, he still remains a putz. And college seems terribly unappealing to Herman Goring. The laughs are too few and far in between, and the contrived relationships are pretty much sowhat. Disappointing at several levels. Don't bother watching this turkey; watch the original Summer of 42 instead.

Anyone who was around in 1971 remembers the sensation that "Summer of '42" caused back then. In a more proper time, the story of a young war bride and an innocent teenager was a smash hit with audiences. So...an inevitable sequel with most of the original cast was released in 1973.

"Class of '44" should have been titled "Hermie and Oscy Go to College" since that's about all the sequel is about. Hermie (Gary Grimes), Oscy (Jerry Hauser), and Benjie (Oliver Conant) graduate from high school, after which Hermie and Oscy attend college while Benjie joins the service. Hermie becomes involved with rich Julie (Deborah Winters) and Oscy is thrown out of school, leading to the nondescript end of the movie in a train station with Julie and Hermie confirming their love.

"Class of '44" isn't a bad movie, it just can't possibly compete with "Summer of '42" on any level. There's no real momentum to this film, we don't care much about the characters, and the basic plot simply meanders all over the place. Christopher Norris and Jennifer O'Neill are sadly missing from this movie, and their absence really makes a difference. John Candy has a brief role after the high school graduation sequence but it's not much.

Grimes disappeared from movies after a couple of years, Winters had a very short acting career, and Houser and O'Neill went on to establish themselves as solid actors in movies and on television. "Class of '44" isn't nearly as profound or entertaining as the original film, but it's certainly acceptable for an undemanding evening if you can locate the DVD.

This is a good sequel to the first hit "Summer of '42". Going past junior year would be a total drag. Even without Jennifer O'Neill, this movie is alright. Going to fight for the U.S. is a patriotic thing back in the forties. Even though Dorothy's husband was the casualty, Oscy the silly friend of Hermie takes action to join the cause. Benji was the jealous type. He wanted to join the Marines just like Oscy. Unlike Oscy, Benji paid the price for scheming his way to the Marines. He got stuck in a desk job. So Benji tell Hermie that you better off in college. Hermie gets a new girl closer to his age. Julie, who goes to the same college as Hermie. Hermie's new dilemma that he lost his father, and he's just don't know what to do anymore. Well he's got Julie and he needs to move on with his life, for years to come. This movie was more based on the guys two years later, and I bet Dorothy would be glad to see that Hermie is happy. However, this movie was not quite like the first one, and it was a little on the somber side. Still a collectible though for the series. At least it was worth a try. I like the first movie much better! Rating 3 out of 5 stars.

The kids from that summer in Nantucket in 1942 have now graduated high school in 1944. Gary Grimes and Jerry Houser go off to college while Oliver Conant enlists in the Marines.

From a good dramatic coming of age story with Michel Legrand's great Oscar winning score for the Summer of 31, Class Of 44 is a raher pedestrian story that doesn't seem to have a point. The two college kids feel guilty about their third musketeer off to war as well as otherfamily members. Houser who's no kind of student quits and enlists in the army. Grimes is left alone and gets involved with rich and spoiled Deborah Winters.

The ending is minor and low keyed and one is left with wondering what is it I just saw?

Good actors just plain defeated by a pointless story.

This sequel to the "Summer of '42" carries on the themes set out in the original film and delves deeper into the minds of the characters. While fans of the first film may wish to see more of Jennifer O'Neill's character, unfortunately she does not appear in this film and there is no mention of her character at all. That aside, however, this film allows you to learn more about Hermie and Oscy and the paths their lives take. Deborah Winters role as Hermie's college love interest works well and the characters have chemistry on screen. If you liked the "Summer Of '42" you should enjoy the "Class Of '44". You just may be disappointed not to see any more of Hermie and Dorothy's relationship or the impact of the summer of '44.