THAT CERTAIN SUMMER (ABC-TVM 11/1/72) Hal Holbrook, Martin Sheen, Scott Jacoby, Hope Lange, Joe Don Baker

In this groundbreaking made-for-TV drama, That Certain Summer tells the powerful story of a divorced father, Doug Salter (Hal Holbrook), who is struggling to come to terms with his identity as a gay man. When his teenage son, Nick (Scott Jacoby), comes to stay with him for the summer, Doug must navigate the challenge of revealing the truth about his sexuality. With the support of his partner, Gary McClain (Martin Sheen), Doug faces the risk of rejection from his son and confronts the societal pressures of the time.

In order to keep up the ruse Gary moves out, but Nick manages to find out anyway.  Overwhelmed with shame and confusion, he runs away, obliging Doug and Gary to chase after him and try to make him understand the nature of his father's relationship.

The film also stars Hope Lange and Joe Don Baker.

Directed by Lamont Johnson and written by Richard Levinson and William Link, this film was one of the first television movies to portray a gay relationship in a sensitive and realistic way. The nuanced performances by Holbrook and Sheen, coupled with the thoughtful storytelling, create a deeply moving exploration of love, acceptance, and the complexities of family dynamics. That Certain Summer remains a landmark in television history for its compassionate approach to a subject rarely discussed in mainstream media of the era.

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Number of DVDs: 1

Quality: 9.5/10

Running Time: 1 hr 13 mins (approx)

Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen 1.33:1

NOTES: This is a fan-made DVD set. Not a studio release.