MovieChat Forums > A Summer Place (1959) Discussion > Screaming for a Remake

Screaming for a Remake

posted 17 years ago by ReverieLane
5 replies | jump to latest

There are classics that don't age, and then there are dated films that seem downright corny generations later. This could be a classic, the score is beautiful and recognizable, but the dialog is almost painful to listen to.

I skimmed the book and realized that it's really not half-bad. It could easily be remade today and the drama could be toned down now that teen pregnancy isn't so scandalous. I think a remake of this film, if handled properly, could really have potential.

[–] thbryn 15 years ago

"but the dialog is almost painful to listen to."
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This film is so 50's. Trying to say something yet unable to do it, without creating a problem with standards and practices. "Peyton Place" --another Maine film-- was much better but even that looks dated.

If there was considerable re-writes in the script it might work as a 21st century edition of the film.

[–] noveltylibrary 14 years ago

but what would the scandals be instead of adultery and pre-marital sex?

[–] Venus-25 14 years ago

That's what I'm wondering about. I'm going to guess that drugs would play a role, or that the teens would have to be of different races as well as social standing.

This movie is a great historical note, along with others like Splendour In the Grass, Peyton Place, and Rebel Without a Cause. I don't think you can really update it.

The Fabio Principle: Puffy shirts look best on men who look even better without them.

[–] MistressKitty 12 years ago

I will never understand why people want to remake movies. The reason we love the classics is because they are set in another time. That is not dated as so many think, that is what makes them so wonderful.
The scenery, the clothes, all of it is what makes the older movies so great. Who wants to see a movie like this remade into some trashy modern day crap starring the flavor of the month girl and have drugs,interracial relationships etc? You can watch any movie now with those subjects. Sounds like you people that want remakes don't love classics for the reasons others do.

"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble."

[–] Adler-99 12 years ago

I agree with MistressKitty. Remaking it and not having the '50s-appropriate scandals of adultery, divorce, and premarital sex would drain all the color from this film. Yes, a lot of it sounds corny now. But I grew up in the '60s and DO remember when divorce was considered shameful. I knew maybe two kids out of hundreds who had divorced parents, and it was scandalous and whispered about. I'm not saying that was right, just that that's really how it was.