With summer in full swing, it’s high time to enjoy the sunshine, ride the waves, and catch up on your favorite outdoor activities. If you need to cool off, it’s also the perfect time to delve into a new book–either lounging poolside, relaxing at home, or in your favorite spot to read. This summer, movie fans are in luck as TCM makes a splash with the release of an exciting book focused upon summer classics!
In Summer Movies: 30 Sun-Drenched Classics, John Malahy takes readers through a wide range of summer classics, focusing upon films that capture the spirit of summer and its meaning to audiences of all ages. In addition to including films of varying genres in his book, Summer Movies is the perfect travel guide through summertime classics, offering readers a treasure trove of over 150 photos, film reviews, vacation ideas, and behind the stories to amplify one’s appreciation and knowledge surrounding these films.
Not only does this book profile a fine selection of films, but it also highlights how film has portrayed various summer activities, including summer sports, camp, beach parties, road trips, and more. The book includes Golden Age films as well as contemporary classics in its coverage of summer-related films.
Among the many films included in this book are Moon Over Miami (1941), State Fair (1945), The Seven Year Itch (1955), Jaws (1975), Dirty Dancing (1987), and many more. While the book includes some of my favorite summer films that come to mind immediately–such as Gidget (1959) and Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)–there are actually many more films appearing in the book that I was surprised and delighted to see included as also exemplary of this film niche.
Summer Movies: 30 Sun-Drenched Classics is the perfect beach read to enjoy year-round!
Summer Movies: 30 Sun-Drenched Classics is available for purchase at the TCM Shop and Running Press.
Hometowns to Hollywood 