How I Spent My Summer Vacation (1967)

I frequently search to see if this has been released. As of 6/2011, still, no dice. I have a Betamax recording of it off of TV from some time in the early 80's (with commercials). I had it transferred to a DVD. I can watch it, but the quality is what you'd expect from an ancient VCR recording. God, I wish Universal would release this.This film made me a fan of Robert Wagner, Peter Lawford, and Walter Pidgeon (OK, Forbidden Planet made me a fan of Pidgeon). The movie was hugely influential on me. I guess I relate to Wagner's character -- he's a dilettante who just can't quite seem to make it to the top. It's unfortunate that Lawford didn't make more movies like this. He's a great villain, reminiscent of Largo from Thunderball.

This story was well produced, well cast, well directed, shot on location (good locations), with a solid script, story, direction and a strong memorability quotient. The story is a well conceived plot that builds, from the perspective of a young man (Robert Wagner) who starts off just being along for the ride, following a beautiful girl (Jill St John), onto the yacht of her rich father (Peter Lawford), who turns out to be very competitive, extremely mysterious and involved in something that becomes fascinating to Wagner's character to understand. As curiosity heightens, it becomes obvious what that what kills the cat could also kill a young man. And from there it keeps getting better. Just when you think it will end exactly as you'd thought, it doesn't. Despite all these years, I have never seen this played on cable or Saturday afternoon matinées, yet I still remember the story. It would be nice if someone, somewhere, would pick up this title before it is completely forgotten by those few of us alive long enough to remember having seen it. I seem to remember reading somewhere that even Robert Wagner was distressed that this title is not available on video. True or not, this title is worth consideration. It should be found and remastered for DVD.

From "With A Song In My Heart", in the 1950s, to the present day the performances of Robert Wagner have always been believable. This actor's body of work represents a person who takes pride in their craft and does not take themselves too seriously.This "small" movie afforded Robert Wagner the opportunity to present the scope of his acting chops. As the story unfolded, it became more compelling to watch. I found myself reacting to the slowly mounting tension. The locale was most beautiful. A decision to use a yacht as a focal point of the setting seemed ingenious. Peter Lawford provided a character with an appearance of urbanity that concealed something rather evil. It would be a mistake to not mention the beautiful actress, Jill St, John. I've seen this movie quite a few times over the ensuing years, always with enjoyment. Seeing it in my mind's eye from a distance of 38 years it is still as clear as yesterday. A simple summer vacation slowly morphs into a cunning, chilling and thriller hunt presented as one of the most amazing chess games in a story environment.

I can see that I am not alone in thinking that this was a superior story, handled very well (except for the very last shot!). The same spooked atmosphere of THE PRISONER pervades; I recommend FRAGMENT OF FEAR for the same what-is-reality take. Anyway, just wonderful. That scene on the yacht! Film noir lives!!