Summer of 42 - Jennifer O'Neill / Music by Michel Legrand

There is profound sadness when I listen to this piece of music. It reminds me of my youth, lots of carelessness, in taking things for granted, of loves lost and endless rush to do things...none of which, when I think of it, really mattered....in the end. I am leaving the 50s behind this year and am the sadder for it. But, the music also hints at hope...and, as Frost said it best, "I have miles to go before I sleep...". Thanks for the posting..

Imagine being 72 years old and a movie you did back in 1971 still brings a tear and a smile to millions of boys and men. Jennifer O'Neil stole our hearts and damnit she hasn't given them back .

My mom loved this music and this movie. When I was young she was always asking me to play it at the piano. Now that she has passed away, it is hard to listen to this beatiful music without breaking me down in tears. I love you mom!

I'm 73 now, and I loved that theme and of course the beautiful Jennifer O' Neil, I hope she's well.x

77 and still evokes a constellation of emotions (and sometimes tears)....haunts me still.

We all had our Summer of '42. Mine was when I was a 20-yr old college student and she was a 42 yr old English professor from Harvard Univ....not my school. I met her at a faculty party where I was working, serving wine. I'm 62 now and she's likely long gone. Her name was Jacqueline and she looked very much like the much loved Jacqueline Kennedy.

This musical genuis composer died today, at the age of 86. THANK YOU, sir, for your love and dedication . May God welcome you home with open arms.

My mother took me to see the movie when it first came out. I remember it like it was yesterday. I fell in love with Jennifer O'Neil that night at the age of 12 in 1971' (I think it was 71'). Many years later while working as a chauffeur in Dallas/Ft Worth area, I was privileged to have Jennifer as a client one afternoon, just for a one way transfer from the airport. I was so star stuck I literally couldn't get enough moisture in my mouths to speak. That was in the early 90's. Still love her to this day! 💕❗️ With extreme respect and with nothing but honor, Jennifer O'Neil, You're still my favorite actress of all time and you're still a very beautiful person inside and out! Also, thank you for the gracious tip that day! Know you are loved no matter what!

A beautiful actress, beautiful music and a beautiful movie. My story took more than one summer. It was the summer of 1977. I was 16 when I met Penny, she was 30. We eventually worked together as EMT/Paramedic partners on the ambulance for many years (decades). We were a great team on and off duty, building a successful life together. I knew Penny for 43 wonderful years. We lived together for 30 years, married 15 of them (I was her second husband). Unfortunately she passed away suddenly in 2020. I can tell you they don't make women like Penny anymore. I love and miss you my wonderful, wife. But life goes on.

A very underrated movie. Jennifer O'Neill was great and still one of the world's most beautiful women ever in my opinion.

It was 1971 . I was in London , saw the movie in Odeon Leicester sq . I still have never got over the movie . It created such an impact on me . Jennifer o Neill was spell bounding ...... I was only 17 yrs old

JENNIFER O´NEILL is so beautiful and the music is unforgettable!

When I was young I worked at The Palm Theatre, a movie theater in the small town where I lived in during the early 1970's as an usher/doorman. This movie played a lot during many of the nights that I worked. I found the music very haunting , and I still do. I told my Mother about the movie and I remember her telling me that the year 1942 was very special to her since that was the year that she enlisted in the US Army during WWII. I listen to this melody often, and I remember my beautiful Mom.

When I first saw this movie I sat looking at the screen hypnotized both by the story the writer was telling, Jenniffer O'Neill's beauty and the incredible music of Michele Legrand. The orchestration of the main theme is gorgeous - pulling you into and through this summer and the emotion of the characters, anxiety, joy, anger, loss, and yet leaving us with a sense of hope. The piano in it's initial runs and through the piece is magnificent as is the playing of the members this orchestra. Amazing.

I watched this movie when I was just a boy and until today, when a listen this soundtrack, it makes me back to a time when everything was possible. Life was simple and the dreams would come true.

Jennifer O'Neill was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful women who ever lived. If you grew up in the 60's and early 70's you no doubt had a crush on her.

My favorite movie theme. When it was released in 1971, I was the same age as Hermie, so could easily identify with him. Forty-two years have come and gone since this film affected me. College, jobs, family. I had a book published, worked in the theatre, and retired after a long career. No single film or theme has ever had such a profound effect as this movie. In addition I say that American movies, pop culture, music and themes today are nearly all absolute junk. How sad what it is now.

"In the summer of ’42, we raided the coast guard station four times. We saw five movies, and had nine days of rain. Benjie broke his watch, Oscy gave up the harmonica… and in a very special way, I lost Hermie...forever.”

During WW II I lived across the street from an American Legion dance hall and frequently fell asleep to the music of Glen Miller, Benny Goodman etc. In the summer the windows of the hall were thrown open and I could see men in their uniforms dancing with their girlfriends. Most of them disappeared in '44 to prepare for the invasion of Europe (though I wasn't aware of it at the time). How I envied those guys, much older than me, in their dress-blues and other fancy uniforms. The scene changed completely after D-Day but I never forgot that time, the music and the atmosphere. Fortunately all the men except one returned safely. Ronald

I think I was 12 when this movie came out and it taught me a lot. I never have figured out women to this day and I'm 71 now. I have felt that aching young love though and it's something you never forget. It's like a pain in your heart that won't stop.