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Summertime Overview:

Summertime (1955) was a Romance - Drama Film directed by David Lean and produced by Norman Spencer and Ilya Lopert.

SYNOPSIS

In a touching romantic drama about a lonely, middle-aged American woman, Hepburn experiences the wonder and the pain of romance on holiday in Venice. As Hepburn marvels (along with the audience) at the sights of Venice that surround her, she meets a charming Italian boy who shows her around, including to Brazzi's antiques store. The handsome merchant finds her charming and she relishes the attention. Hepburn eventually acknowledges that, though their interlude may be the most romantic time she will ever experience, she must return to her life. Director Lean (Brief Encounter, 1945) captures wonderful Hepburn moments that express longing, fear, joy, and regret in one bittersweet performance. Based on Arthur Laurent's play, The Time of the Cuckoo.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1955 --- Ceremony Number 28 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActressKatharine HepburnNominated
Best DirectorDavid LeanNominated
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Summertime BlogHub Articles:

Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi in "Summertime"

By Stephen Reginald on Apr 12, 2022 From Classic Movie Man

Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi in "Summertime" Summertime (1955) romance directed by David Lean and starring Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi. The film is based on the play The Time of the Cuckoo by Arthur Laurents. Jane Hudson (Hepburn) is a middle-aged secretary from Akron, Ohio, wh... Read full article

Musical Monday: In the Good Old Summertime (1949)

on Dec 7, 2020 From Comet Over Hollywood

It’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals. In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 500. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals. This week’s musical: “Meet Me After the Sho... Read full article

Summertime and the Livin’ Is Easy: The 2019 Summer Classic Film Book Challenge

By shadowsandsatin on Sep 14, 2019 From Shadows and Satin

I can scarcely believe that this is my seventh year participating in the Summer Classic Movie Book Challenge, hosted by Raquel over at Out the Past. I’m telling you, time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. (Thank you! I’ll be here all week! Tip o’ the hat to Groucho!) But seriousl... Read full article

Hot Fun in the Summertime: The 2018 Summer Classic Film Book Challenge

By shadowsandsatin on Sep 16, 2018 From Shadows and Satin

Outdoor concerts. Noir City Chicago. Cold lemonade on the back porch. And the Summer Reading Classic Film Book Challenge! I am delighted to share that I’ve been participating in this awesome event, the brainchild of Raquel over at Out of the Past, for six straight years now! And I’m here to tell... Read full article

Summertime (1955)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Aug 17, 2018 From 4 Star Films

It’s summertime and the living is easy. It makes me think of sultry summer days and cool summer nights and George Gershwin. But summertime also means travel. It did for my family when we were growing up as kids and it took us to many places near and far off. That’s what this film gives u... Read full article

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Summertime Quotes:

No Quote for this film.
Summertime Facts
Reportedly David Lean's personal favorite of his own films.
The number of tourists traveling to Venice doubled after the film's release.
Katharine Hepburn's apartment is actually an amalgam of three different locations. The door through which she enters the apartment belongs to the Trattoria Sempione, a restaurant that still exists today. Her bedroom belongs to an apartment two miles away in the suburb of Dursoduro, and the terrace was a purpose-built set in Compo San Vio.
"Summertime" was an adaptation of the Broadway play "The Time of the Cuckoo" by Arthur Laurents. The stage production starred Shirley Booth and opened on Oct. 15, 1952 at the Empire Theatre in New York and ran for 263 performances.
Director David Lean said filming on location in Italy was expensive because he had to pay local merchants whose customers were scared off by the camera equipment and crew.
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