Moments. Oh please, don’t ask me how this came about. I was just listening to the music of Henri Mancini, Two For The Road particularly when I suddenly remembered those movie themes that I regularly listen to on YouTube. There are times when you get a little sentimental over sad and beautiful music that you grew up with. And I wish to share my very first blog which I originally posted at my Multiply site. My journal entries way back in college don’t count of course, they are more personal – the growing up years contained in a thick notebook which I still keep until now. Funny how, this story talks about teenage life, first love, and heartaches. It reminds me so much of those days and nights that I’ve done the same soul-searching. Life is full of chances to grow a little better, life is full of experiences that teach us how to truly love.
The Summer of 42 (April 22, 2008)
I truly believe that something happens when you least expect it. Yesterday, while I was waiting for my urologist at the satellite clinic of the Medical City at Ever-Ortigas, I decided to while away the time going to my favorite jaunts. First stop was NBS, they have this bargain bin in one corner of the store and it is always a delight to find something worth-reading. Next was a visit at the friendly Booksale lady at the 2nd floor. Third stop was at Books and Mags. I was just browsing with no particular book in mind. There is a growing stash of books most of which I made on impulse buy. I decided that I will stick to my Wish List and wait for another sale perhaps at Bestsellers and NBS.
Tom Clancy (plenty stuff there), Dean Koontz, Binchy – I found this small volume, Summer of 42 by Herman Raucher, a Dell book, 1971 edition. What came to mind was the music, Theme from Summer of 42 by Michel Legrand. I distinctly remember that way back in 1971, this was one of the contenders for Best Instrumental Arrangement/Composition along with Theme from Shaft by Isaac Hayes and Theme from Love Story by Francis Lai, for the prestigious Grammy Awards. Of course, Theme from Shaft won hands down (and I still have my Jingle chordbook magazine, Chapter IX to prove it),. But I am digressing here.
Summer of 42 – made into film by Warner Bros. with Jennifer O’Neill (Dorothy) and Gary Grimes(Hermie) as the main characters. In everyone’s life, there is Summer of 42. A beautiful love story, poignant, warm, funny, sad, coming of age – it is just perfect.
The summer Hermie turned fifteen, he fell deeply and passionately in love with an older woman of twenty-two and a married one at that. Along with his two best friends Oscy and Benjie, Hermie spent his time running and playing on the beach and it was there that he saw and fell in love with Dorothy. The story revolves around the fun and mischief of the three young boys, displaying their raw innocence about sex. It behooves me to think what life was like in ’42.
I dare not describe the details here because it is always best to read the book and enjoy it. The wording of the song from the book sums it all:
last night I started out happy
last night my heart was so gay
last night I found myself dancing
in my favorite cabaret.
you were completely forgotten
just an affair of the past,
then suddenly something happened to me
and I found my heart beating, oh so fast
there will be no new romance for me,
it’s foolish to start
for that old feeling is still in my heart.
(note: I don’t own the video, just uploaded it from YouTube)
Dreams And Escapes 
You must be logged in to post a comment.