I am delighted to announce the much-anticipated release of the Summer Magic DVD. As the summer season is approaching, this DVD is the perfect addition to your collection. The Summer Magic DVD captures the essence of the vibrant and joyful summer months. It embodies the carefree spirit, outdoor adventures, and magical moments that define this season. The DVD features a captivating storyline that follows a group of friends as they embark on an unforgettable summer journey. Whether it's building sandcastles on the beach, exploring mysterious forests, or having fun at a lively carnival, the characters experience the best that summer has to offer.
The Careys move into an old yellow house at no cost of their own. That's because Beulah's postmaster and general store manager Osh Popham (Burl Ives) says it's okay and in the absence of the house's landlord, his word carries the most weight. Osh supposedly is in regular correspondence with the home's owner Mr. Hamilton, but one soon gathers that Hamilton is not returning anytime soon and doesn't appear to be particularly concerned with the matter.
For a film that so deftly moves at such a slow clip, one does not particularly detect a stagnancy or yearn for something to change the course of events. It s in need of an update, although so few of the numerous catalogue DVDs released in the past 18 months have come equipped with great bonus features the way the advertised titles mostly have.
Whether it's building sandcastles on the beach, exploring mysterious forests, or having fun at a lively carnival, the characters experience the best that summer has to offer. One of the highlights of the Summer Magic DVD is the stunning cinematography. The picturesque landscapes, golden sunsets, and crystal-clear waters transport viewers to breathtaking summer destinations.
Summer magic DVD release
Summer Magic DVD Review
Theatrical Release: July 7, 1963 / Running Time: 109 Minutes / Rating: G
Director: James Neilson
Cast: Hayley Mills (Nancy Carey), Burl Ives (Osh Popham), Dorothy McGuire (Margaret Carey), Deborah Walley (Cousin Julia Carey), Una Merkel (Mariah Popham), Eddie Hodges (Gilly Carey), Michael J. Pollard (Digby Popham), Peter Brown (Tom Hamilton), James Stacy (Charles Bryant), Jimmy Mathers (Peter Carey), O.Z. Whitehead (Mr. Perkins), Wendy Turner (Lallie Joy Popham), Harry Holcombe (Henry Lord), Hilda Plowright (Mary)
Songs: "Summer Magic", "Flitterin'", "Beautiful Beulah", "The Ugly Bug Ball", "The Pink of Perfection", "On the Front Porch", "Femininity"
Summer Magic opens with two pieces of information. The "Place" we're told is "Boston", the "Time" is given as "Rag." For those whom that second bit requires clarification, the film is set in the early 20th century. Little time is wasted in establishing the premise. Middle-aged widow Margaret Carey (Dorothy McGuire) and her three children must bid farewell to their life of luxury in the big city. They head off for the small country town of Beulah, Maine. This relocation, though the central action of the film, occurs quickly. This enables Summer Magic to use most of its running time leisurely exploring the Carey family's adaptation to country life and development amidst simpler surroundings.
Hayley Mills receives top billing and the largest chunk of screen time as the eldest Carey child, teenaged Nancy, who inexplicably retains Mills's British accent. Gilly Carey (Eddie Hodges), is the older son and designated piano player, who is reluctant to abandon their urban home and move to the country. Meanwhile, Peter (Jimmy Mathers) is the young'un and he doesn't have to think or worry too much, for he's primarily comic relief and is game for the new environment.
Summer Magic, which is adapted from Kate Douglas Wiggin's 1911 book Mother Carey's Chickens, does not play its setup for fish-out-of-water comedy nor does it even seek radical developments to further the plot. Instead, it allows its audience to get familiar with its characters and then proceeds with a domestic drama composed of a series of subplots, each carried out at a comfortably slow pace.
The Careys move into an old yellow house at no cost of their own. That's because Beulah's postmaster and general store manager Osh Popham (Burl Ives) says it's okay and in the absence of the house's landlord, his word carries the most weight. Osh supposedly is in regular correspondence with the home's owner Mr. Hamilton, but one soon gathers that Hamilton is not returning anytime soon and doesn't appear to be particularly concerned with the matter.
With some help from Osh, the family manages to renovate the home as much as they can. Little triumphs and melodramas hold our attention meanwhile. Peter sneakily updates his "sissy" Boston haircut after being picked on by some local boys. Gilly inherits the job of chauffeur after Osh's son Digby (a very young Michael J. Pollard) decides to leave town and finally see the city. Filling in the film's animal quotient is Sam, a large sheepdog which Peter haphazardly acquires.
Though unremarkable as the "adventures" may seem, you're much too absorbed in the atmosphere and characters to notice. To liven things up, there are songs. Like most Disney songs of the '60s, these were written by the dynamic songwriting siblings known as Richard and Robert Sherman. Of the seven numbers, a majority seems forgettable, although those performed by jolly Burl Ives are surely catchy, especially "The Ugly Bug Ball" (which makes use of True Life Adventures footage of insects). "Flitterin'", the song the family sings when deciding to move North, has been adopted by the Main Street USA section of Disneyland.
For a film that so deftly moves at such a slow clip, one does not particularly detect a stagnancy or yearn for something to change the course of events. But change does occur when word reaches the Careys that Cousin Julia (Deborah Walley) will be living with them. Julia seems universally unliked and unwanted before she is even introduced, which makes the cold welcome that Nancy and company dole out seem a bit mean-spirited. But the snobbish Julia poses a threat when a handsome young schoolmaster (James Stacy) takes a liking towards her, not Nancy, at a Sunday gathering put together by the two equally enchanted girls.
Still, all is soon forgiven. Even when things change, they seem to revert to their previous state to everyone's content. Digby returns, humbled by the city, but he lets Gilly keep the driving job. Meanwhile, Nancy and Julia work together to school Osh's shy young daughter Lallie Joy (Wendy Turner) on the arts of dressmaking and being feminine for the Halloween Homecoming dance.
There's a surprise ending of sorts, though one you might see coming. But on the whole, life in Beulah seems blissfully uneventful and marked by amusing episodes which are often harmlessly resolved. After all, any film which spends its first ten minutes on saying goodbye to an old piano and hello to a new one cannot be too concerned with challenging viewers or keeping them enthralled.
The enduring image of Summer Magic is Burl Ives strumming his guitar on the porch to his generally pleased company, who all begin to sing along with him. They're not overflowing with joy or excitement, and neither is the viewer, but all are having a nice time. For a film which treads so little new ground, Summer Magic is ultimately rather sweet. It shuns the typical cinematic structure of conflict and resolution, instead basking in a simple small-town setting that conjures up nostalgia. Hayley Mills is, as always, fun to watch (she received a Golden Globe nomination for this one) and Ives simply oozes with warmth. With its scenes of croquet, fall dances with big dresses, and gathering around the piano for a song, Summer Magic is a relaxing trip down memory lane. This cozy family drama may be too gentle for unsuspecting modern audiences, but for those who know it, it still goes down nice and smooth like lemonade on a warm summer's day.
1.75:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Dolby Digital Mono (English, Spanish)
Subtitles: English; Closed Captioned
Release Date: May 3, 2005
Single-sided, single-layered disc (DVD-5)
Suggested Retail Price: $19.99
White Keepcase
VIDEO and AUDIO
Surprise! Summer Magic is presented in its original 1.75:1 widescreen aspect ratio and has been enhanced for 16x9 televisions. This is only the second catalogue Disney DVD of 2005 to offer widescreen support, but it at least makes sense that such proper treatment is bestowed upon one of the most popular titles.
The video benefits from the higher resolution of an anamorphic transfer. It's not flawless and not as pristine as the fully-remastered Vault Disney / Special Edition releases, but by and large, the DVD exhibits strong picture quality. The print is pleasantly clean, though sometimes prey for grain. Fleshtones are as present as anything else, and so one notices that they don't like entirely natural. But the print is satisfactorily sharp and detailed. With a bit more effort, Summer Magic could have looked wonderful, but it's easy to settle for this good anamorphic widescreen presentation since so few titles in Disney's catalogue are met with it anymore.
The film is offered in a Dolby Digital Mono track, and like most of the catalogue titles, it doesn't present a state-of-the-art sound mix but it also is not noticeably weak in this department. The audio does seem flat at times, particularly in certain patches of dialogue. Musical sequences fare much better, whether they boast the soothing vocals of Burl Ives or the exuberance of young Hayley Mills. The entire track seems to be on the low side, but the dynamics were consistent. Find the right volume from the start, and there's no need to adjust throughout. On the whole, short of artificial tinkering and remixing, the DVD delivers the film's soundtrack with the type of quality you'd expect.
BONUS FEATURES and DESIGN
The disc opens with that minute-and-a-half promo for vintage live action films on Disney DVD. It's in need of an update, although so few of the numerous catalogue DVDs released in the past 18 months have come equipped with great bonus features the way the advertised titles mostly have.
Anyway, why am I saying so much about the trailer at the start of the disc? Well, that's all there is to talk about on Summer Magic when it comes to bonus features. Hayley Mills fans have been given two extremes on Disney DVD: the fully-loaded widescreen Vault Disney sets for the actress's first two films Pollyanna and The Parent Trap and barebones fullscreen discs for later works like In Search of the Castaways, The Moon-Spinners, and That Darn Cat!. Summer Magic would fall into that latter class, but as discussed earlier, it's presented in its original widescreen aspect ratio. So maybe that stroke of luck merits more celebration, because the absence of an original trailer or new supplements does not.
The 16x9 menus on this DVD take a simple approach, shunning animation and background music. Instead, the screens utilize a low-key, alternating colors vertical-line design, with tiny pictures of four characters adorning the Main Menu and a small shot of Hayley Mills attached to the Set Up menu.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Summer Magic is a gentle, old-fashioned Disney drama, complete with familiar faces (most notably, Hayley Mills) and Sherman Brothers songs. Its simplicity and slow pacing keep it from holding up as well as some of the studio's other works from this period, but fans of the film will be glad to see its comfortable appeal is still there, just as sure as Burl Ives' goatee is. This barren DVD seems a bit anticlimactic after such a long wait, but on the plus side, it's one of the few catalogue discs Disney's released that retains the original widescreen aspect ratio. That alone makes it easier to recommend.
Reviewed April 30, 2005.
With some help from Osh, the family manages to renovate the home as much as they can. Little triumphs and melodramas hold our attention meanwhile. Peter sneakily updates his "sissy" Boston haircut after being picked on by some local boys. Gilly inherits the job of chauffeur after Osh's son Digby (a very young Michael J. Pollard) decides to leave town and finally see the city. Filling in the film's animal quotient is Sam, a large sheepdog which Peter haphazardly acquires.
The visuals beautifully capture the essence of summer, making it feel like you are right there experiencing it all. Another notable aspect of the Summer Magic DVD is the outstanding performances by a talented cast. The actors effortlessly bring their characters to life, adding depth and emotion to the story. Their chemistry and genuine portrayals make the journey all the more enjoyable for viewers. In addition to the engaging storyline and mesmerizing visuals, the Summer Magic DVD also includes exciting bonus features. Behind-the-scenes footage, interviews with the cast, and exclusive bloopers provide a glimpse into the making of the film. These extras add an extra layer of entertainment and offer insights into the creative process. Overall, the Summer Magic DVD is a must-have for any movie lover or fan of summer. It is a heartwarming and enchanting film that will evoke nostalgia and bring back cherished memories of summers past. So, grab your popcorn, gather friends and family, and get ready to experience the magic of summer on your TV screen..
Reviews for "Celebrate the Magic of Summer with the New DVD"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the release of "Summer Magic" on DVD. The picture quality was extremely poor, with a lot of grain and distortion throughout the film. The audio was also quite muffled and hard to hear at times. Additionally, there were no special features included on the DVD, which I found to be a major letdown. Overall, I had high hopes for this release, but it fell far short of my expectations.
2. John - 1 star
I can't believe I wasted my money on the DVD release of "Summer Magic." The film itself was lackluster and uninteresting, and the DVD did nothing to enhance the viewing experience. The picture quality was awful, with constant pixelation and blurriness. The sound was also incredibly low and difficult to adjust. Save your money and skip this disappointing release.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to adding "Summer Magic" to my DVD collection, but this release was a major letdown. The picture quality was subpar, with noticeable artifacts and a lack of sharpness. The audio was also inconsistent, with moments of loudness followed by barely audible dialogue. Additionally, there were no subtitles available, which made it difficult to understand some of the dialogue. Overall, I was very disappointed with this DVD release and would not recommend it.
4. Mike - 2 stars
"Summer Magic" is one of my favorite Disney movies, so I was excited to finally see it released on DVD. However, I was sorely let down by the poor quality of this release. The picture was blurry and unclear, with a lot of noise throughout the film. The audio was also faint and difficult to hear at times. It's a shame that such a beloved film was given such a lackluster DVD treatment. I would advise fans of "Summer Magic" to stick to the VHS version or wait for a better DVD release.