That Certain Summer (1972): Cast & Plot
That Certain Summer is a 1972 drama directed by Lamont Johnson, starring Hal Holbrook as Doug Salter, Scott Jacoby and Hope Lange. It runs 1 hour 13 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 13m (73 min)
- Director
- Lamont Johnson
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Universal Television
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is That Certain Summer About?
The premise of That Certain Summer without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A groundbreaking US teleplay that portrays homosexuality with compassion. Divorced contractor Doug Salter lives in San Francisco and anticipates a summer visit from his fourteen‑year‑old son Nick, who stays with his mother Janet in Los Angeles. Nick is unaware that Doug is gay and has been sharing his life for years with his partner Gary McClain, setting the stage for an emotionally charged reunion.
That Certain Summer Themes & Keywords
· 39 tags- san francisco california
- coming out
- gay father
- father son relationship
- gay interest
- teenage boy
- homosexual
- closeted homosexual
- gay protagonist
- vito russo test passed
- father's boyfriend
- straight actor gay character
+27 more Show fewer
- discovering someone is gay
- 14 year old
- teenager
- divorced father
- wristwatch
- fish tank
- reference to the doors
- sound engineer
- shaving cream
- gay
- family relationships
- older man younger man relationship
- visit
- telephone call
- sightseeing
- runaway
- packing
- home movie
- gay couple
- driving
- divorce
- divorced parents
- contractor
- cable car
- airport
- gay parent
- marital separation
That Certain Summer Cast & Characters
Hal Holbrook leads the cast as Doug Salter, with Scott Jacoby as Nick Salter and Hope Lange as Janet Salter. Directed by Lamont Johnson; 12 actors are credited in all.
- Director Lamont Johnson
-
Hal Holbrook as Doug Salter - Scott Jacoby as Nick Salter
- Hope Lange as Janet Salter
-
Martin Sheen as Gary McCain
Also Starring in That Certain Summer
· 8 more- Joe Don Baker Phil Bonner
- James McEachin Mr. Early, the Conductor
- Myron Natwick Man at Party
- Marlyn Mason Laureen Hyatt
- Clarke Gordon Artist
- Jan Shepard Jody Bonner
- Carolyn Bueno Mrs. Michele
- Patti MacLeod Woman
More from Lamont Johnson
More films directed by Lamont Johnson, best-rated first: The Last American Hero, Lipstick, The Man Next Door and The Broken Chain.
That Certain Summer Plot Summary
What happens in That Certain Summer from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Doug Salter, a divorced San Francisco contractor, is looking forward to a summer visit from his 14-year-old son Nick Salter. Nick lives in Los Angeles with his mother Janet Salter. He does not know that his father is in a committed relationship with Gary McCain, his life partner of several years.
Gary stays temporarily with his sister and brother-in-law so that Doug can come out to Nick and tell him about their relationship, rather than surprise him all at once. But Gary otherwise spends most of his time with Doug and Nick, and the boy notices his father seems unusually close to Gary. At one point, Nick sees the inscription on a watch — “To Doug With Love Gary” — and realizes his father and Gary are more than friends.
Full summary
The whole story of That Certain Summer, scene by scene
That Certain Summer Videos
The behind-the-scenes video of That Certain Summer.
How Well Do You Know That Certain Summer?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor plays Doug Salter, the divorced San Francisco contractor?
Cars in That Certain Summer
22 cars on screen, including the 1972 Chevrolet Kingswood and the 1971 Ford Mustang.
-
1972 Chevrolet Kingswood Important role -
1971 Ford Mustang Important role -
1968 Pontiac Firebird Important role -
1972 Ford Custom 500 Minor role
That Certain Summer Also Known As
4 alternative titles, including “Damals im Sommer” and “Онова лято”.
- Also known as
-
- Damals im Sommer
- Онова лято
- Um Certo Verão
- То самое лето
Seen That Certain Summer?
Movies Like That Certain Summer
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Something Like Summer, And Then Came Summer and Summer of 85.
That Certain Summer FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of That Certain Summer, each answered in a sentence.
How long is That Certain Summer?
That Certain Summer runs 1 hour 13 minutes (73 minutes).
When was That Certain Summer released?
That Certain Summer was released on November 1, 1972.
Who directed That Certain Summer?
That Certain Summer was directed by Lamont Johnson.
More films by Lamont Johnson Who is in the cast of That Certain Summer?
That Certain Summer stars Hal Holbrook as Doug Salter, Scott Jacoby as Nick Salter and Hope Lange as Janet Salter, among 12 credited actors.
Does That Certain Summer have a post-credit scene?
No. That Certain Summer has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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