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The Truth About Spring recounts the adventures of Tommy Tyler, a lazy sailor and his tomboy daughter, Spring, as they meet William Ashton, a young lawyer cruising the Caribbean. They soon join forces and engage in the search of a buried treasure also coveted by menacing pirates. This film, shot off the Costa Brava coast in Spain in the spring of 1964, is an excellent entertainment for the whole family and arguably one of Hayley Mills' best movies. Indeed, the 18 year-old British actress delivers one of her finest performances. Her on screen chemistry with both her father (John Mills) and James MacArthur is delightful. Most of the scenes are funny, witty, sweet and moving. Even our heroes' encounters with the competitive pirates are amusing rather than really violent. It's a shame this little gem of a movie has not been officially released on DVD. Nevertheless, if you happen to find it in any other format, do not hesitate! Enjoy it! And that's the truth about it!

Based on Herman Raucher's script and personal life, Summer of '42 is a very touching movie about the coming of age of three young friends in New England at the outbreak of WWII. While his friends Oscy and Benjie are more interested in girls their age hoping to experience their first romantic adventure, Hermie rather falls for Dorothy, a young and beautiful woman (played by a radiant Jennifer O'Neill) who's husband has just been send to the European front. Light and amusing notes describing the various challenges the three teenagers are meeting in their quest are intermingled with the sober and pure relationship developing between Hermie and Dorothy as they become friends. The magical music theme of Michel Legrand brilliantly underscore the nostalgic tone of a film that beautifully captures Hermie's (but in an allegoric way, all of us) growth through friendship, love and lost of innocence. Truly one of the most moving and beautiful films I have ever seen.

Although I have known about this film for quite some time, I only had the opportunity to watch it recently. I must admit I was very positively surprised. Director J. Lee Thompson offers a masterful piece of suspense thanks to his skillful use of black and white images. The contrast of light shadows on the characters' faces as well as an excellent variation of camera angles translate the tension and emotion of the movie. Even though, the main plot may be about a young girl witnessing the murder of a cheating woman by her angry seaman boyfriend, the real story is, in fact, the relationship that evolves between the young witness (who manages to get hold of the crime weapon) and the almost accidental murderer. Both characters quickly discover a common fate and develop a protective friendship before challenges and events help them engage in an impossible albeit beautiful love story. The chemistry between Horst Buchholz (soon to become a star in The Magnificent Seven) and Hayley Mills is perfect and really gives the needed touch of poignancy to their relationship. In her first on screen apparition, the daughter of Sir John Mills is already stealing the show using a exceptionally wide range of acting skills. It is not difficult to see in her captivating eyes the promise of the future brilliant performances she will offer in Pollyanna, The Parent Trap or Whistle Down The Wind.