Storyline

While working as a counselor at a summer camp, college-student Marjorie Morgenstern falls for 32-year-old Noel Airman, a would-be dramatist working at a nearby summer theater. Like Marjorie, he is an upper-middle-class New York Jew (born 'Ehrman'), but has fallen away from his roots, and Marjorie's parents object among other things to his lack of a suitable profession, such as medicine or law. Noel himself warns Marjorie repeatedly that she's much too naive and conventional for him, but they nonetheless fall in love. As they pursue an on-again-off-again relationship, Marjorie completes her studies at Hunter College, and works to establish an acting career, while Noel first leaves the theater for a job with an advertising agency, but later completes a musical he'd started writing before he and Marjorie had first met. Meanwhile, their relationship deepens (though, consistent with '50s Hollywood mores, the more full-fledged sexuality in their relationship is never explicitly communicated). They plan to marry, but after the musical's critical failure on Broadway, Noel runs away. Marjorie finally tracks him down at the summer theater where they first met--and, realizing that this is probably where he belongs, finally gives up on the relationship. Helping her to move on with her life is Wally, once Noel's assistant, now a very successful Broadway playwright, and all along, Marjorie's unrequited lover. The movie ends with a clear implication Wally and Marjorie will finally be a couple.—HelenLipson

Plot Keywords

playwright, new york city, jewish, based on novel, heart disease, maturation, premarital sex, resort, friendship, bohemian, bar mitzvah, actress, uncle niece relationship, love triangle, self respect, songwriter, character name as title, summer, advertising agency, camp

Short Review

Enjoyable movie that was one of Natalie Wood's first "grown up" roles. She's not bad but a little on the "wooden" side at times. Gene Kelly is woefully miscast and chews the scenery like crazy! The one fabulous performance is by Carolyn Jones as "Marsha Zelenko" ("twenty seven bucks. shot!"), Marjorie's best friend. Good supporting cast that includes Ed Wynn, Claire Trevor, Martin Milner and Martin Balsam. Gorgeous soundtrack that includes the lushly romantic "A Very Special Love".

Trailer

Streaming Service

1. Amazon Video : Rent from $1.99, Or $0.00 with a Prime membership