That Certain Summer

"That Certain Summer" was more than just one of 1972's best productions made expressly for television. It was an outstanding presentation by any standard and for any medium. The entire cast, crew, and production team worked in fine ensemble fashion to create a memorable and significant achievement. This deserves to be revived and widely offered on video.

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.

Well-made TV-movie, largely acknowledged as the first made-for-television film to tackle the subject of homosexuality, has divorced San Francisco contractor Hal Holbrook looking forward to a visit from his fourteen-year-old son who lives out in Los Angeles with his mother; things are shaky when the kid meets his dad's new male friend, and once he figures out that Pop enjoys this male companion more so than eligible women, he runs away in anger and confusion. Levinson/Link production won raves upon its first network showing, and indeed it is smart, focused, and without stereotypes. Still, when the kid runs away (for a large section of the film), precious time on the clock is wasted as the adults search for him and worry. The film isn't melodramatic, thankfully; it's brave, it has a thoughtful, melancholy undermining, and the gay theme is served well (only some of the dialogue dates it). But more courageous the whole thing might have been with more hearty talk and less shame and tears.

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.

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.