Summer Magic (1963)

Best movie of this year hands down!

If you don't like this, we can't be friends.

Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

SUMMER MAGIC is a sickly sweet Disney vehicle designed around blonde starlet Hayley Mills, fresh from the success of THE PARENT TRAP. The plot sees three spoilt city kids moving to the countryside, where they must adapt to rural life.This is twee indeed and the heartwarming messages certainly weren't appreciated by this viewer! Indeed, Disney is so fond of thrusting 'life lessons' down the throats of its child audience that I generally avoid their movies like the plague. Still, it could be much worse: SUMMER MAGIC is colourful, has some funny scenes, a lovable animal, and Mills actually displays some traces of acting talent here and there. However, by far the best thing about the movie is Burl Ives, a larger-than-life actor playing a larger-than-life character, and his rendition of the 'Ugly Bug Ball' is a real hoot.

this is such a beguiling little film that i'm aware i have a tendency to overrate this. it's not really about much of anything in particular, and it's far too cozy to be profound or very deeply thoughtful. it also isn't the legitimate work of great cinema that Disney's 'So Dear to My Heart' was. but there's something about it that is so simplistic, genuine and delicately feminine that it wins over the sentiments completely.this could be one of the best made "girl" movies ever. it focus and appeal seems primarily aimed at a target audience of young girls, and it's basically a story of female maturation. however, there are enough varying elements here to make it watchable and even appeal to other viewers. there is enough of the fab (and fat) Burl Ives here to make any nostalgia buff go for broke. and even though males here seem mostly perceived through the eyes and mind of the feminine, like as in the brothers are perceived of as siblings and not entirely autonomous, the males are masculine enough as not to scare away male viewers. i mean hey, one of the brothers is former Hollywood bad boy Michael J. Pollard. you don't get much meaner than that.the 'Ugly Bug Ball' musical moment is also quirky and weird (if not a little creepy) enough to be amusing to little kids.the production design, photography and other elements are delivered with accomplished professionalism that it often seemed only Disney could pull out of a modest budget like this.i grew up watching this film at the movies and then again on the 'Wonderful World of Disney' television show. it still hasn't lost it's basic sentimental charm for me. and yes i know this film is gooey and icky, but it's done with more panache and level headedness, and a sense of comic fun, than movies like the old time, original 'Cheaper by the Dozen' film, were usually instilled with. as a matter of note, this film is a lot better made than these kind of films usually are.this will always remain one of classic Disney's sweetest and sentimental films. and there is so much of Walt'sensibilities in it. if you love old school Disney, you gotta delight in this airy fluff.

I absolutely love this movie. I saw it for the first time when I was about 5 or 6 and I am 27 now. It has some great songs and it is quite funny in some parts. Kids will especially love "The Ugly Bug Ball." It is entertaining enough to keep adults interested, but not too adult for young children. There are lots of actors that appear in other Disney movies from the same era, so most of the people are pretty recognizable. My husband is not a big fan of most "kid's" movies, but he really enjoyed Summer Magic when I made him watch it. I highly recommend this movie to anyone that likes old Disney movies or has children.

Excellent movie, if you liked Hayley Mills in PollyAnna, look no further. This movie exhibits family values and basic human kindness amid the traditional Disney music and humor. There's nothing wrong with some simplicity and optimism. Today we can use them. Burl Ives and Dorothy McGuire are absolutely wonderful. The story is endearing and the life lessons are timeless. This is a classic. Many thanks to the Hallmark Channel for bringing it to us. I don't recall seeing it when I was growing up, but at 45, its never to late to enjoy vintage Disney. Maybe today's Disney execs should review their history for future successes. I highly recommend it.