MovieChat Forums > Summer Magic (1963) Discussion > one of the most offensive films that I h...

one of the most offensive films that I have ever seen

posted 18 years ago by interferon
28 replies | jump to latest

Hi I am 35, UK Male, and have been lucky enough to see a wide range of different movies in my life, I watched this film after staying up all night with the flu and to be honest it is one of the most offensive films that I have ever seen, this film epitomises everything that was wrong with the blind optimism that was allowed to flourish so readily in the US in the old days that has led to the intolerant environment of today. This film just cries "SHUT THE HELL UP AND DO AS I SAY". Hayley Mills' precocious child character may have been popular at the time, but has about as much in common with any kid today as, well, nothing. (sorry I can't think of a metaphor - maybe there isn't one).

Hideous 60s US propaganda. I can't imagine anyone enjoying this film today except for some traumatized and repressed presbyterian retarded person who wants to brainwash their kids by fear. And I doubt if even they could handle it after staying up all night.

http://www.ultralame.net

[–] cgd3207 17 years ago

. . . you don't get out much.

Seriously, sounds like you watched this at the wrong time (up all night w/ flu). Unless you are mistaken and writing about a different film, which seems entirely possible since most of your remarks don't even make sense. And how Kate Douglas Wiggin, writing in the early part of the century, or the folks who made it into a 40s film, or a screenplay probably written earlier than 1960, can constitute 'hideous 60s propaganda' is quite a stretch, even for someone in the throes of flu delirium.

Drink plenty of fluids.

[–] CaraMSchec 17 years ago

I do wonder at some of the things you say about this movie. But I also want to point out that the "target audience" of this movie isn't likely to be a 35 UK Male, but more likely preteen US female, so I'm not all to surprised you didn't really enjoy it. I did have a bunch of my friends watch it once, because it's one of my favorites and I thought they'd get a laugh (which they did) and they are a group of 21-25 year old US males & females. Only one of them liked it for itself, but the rest enjoyed joking about the old fashioned ideas in it.

And I like the film for the optimism, I think we need more optimism in the world these days. And as a note this is one of my favorite movies to watch while sick or up for long periods of times.

[–] original_sinner1978 16 years ago

i love this movie and i really dont care that much about religion.. i just think that its a great little movie to watch on a sunday..ive always been a huge fan of halley mills so anything she plays in i watch...i always laugh when i hear the femininity song .. i remember singing it when i was a kid but now im like.....ok... i didnt realize this was sooo weird.. telling a girl not to be herself and to let the man get away with anything.. but anyways.. still love the film and i still find myself singing that damned song!!

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Sorcerersbroom 14 years ago

I just bought this movie so I came here to read the board. I agree with your point about the target audience of this. I was 10 when it was released and I loved it then and now.

The original poster really made me laugh about the ideas regarding this film. I'm surprised a theory wasn't extended to Disneyland and how it ruined the world as well.

Summer Magic is just a cute, silly, Disney movie not much different than any other movies aimed at children released at the time. The USA/world were much more innocent in those times and movies/tv reflected that.

I'm still trying to figure out where the intolerance comes from?????? OP if you are still around, can you give more detail? Or were you just trying to be funny? If so, you suceeded.

[–] DarcyBrandon 16 years ago

Um...Did we watch the same movie?

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] TheLittleSongbird 15 years ago

I watched this movie today and I noticed nothing offensive whatsoever about this film. It is good natured and lovingly rendered with characters that epitomise innocence if anything else, and Burl Ives was perfect as Osh Popham.

"Life after death is as improbable as sex after marriage"- Madeleine Kahn(CLUE, 1985)

[–] SCsurfguy 15 years ago

There will always be the politically correct, "progressive," "need-to-be-edgy," and "hip" (or so they think) types who won't ever like these types of movies. It would be way too uncool to admit to such. Clearly the OP has something about the United States too that drives his opinion.

[–] nycruise-1 12 years ago

I love your review!

An American movie critic, back when this movie was first released, said it was strictly juvenile fare, meant to ease the trauma of the training bra and tooth braces.

"Don't call me 'honey', mac."
"Don't call me 'mac'... HONEY!"

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] andreaahr (2337) 7 years ago

I love this movie. I don't think this is offensive at all.