Summer Rental (1985)

Jack Chester, a stressed air-traffic controller, takes his family on a beach vacation to Florida but is soon beset by problems, especially when an arrogant sailing champion shows up, who Jack challenges to a race.

Director:

Carl Reiner

Writers:

Jeremy Stevens, Mark Reisman

Stars:

John Candy, Richard Crenna, Rip Torn

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Candy	...	Jack Chester
Karen Austin	...	Sandy Chester
Kerri Green	...	Jennifer Chester
Joey Lawrence	...	Bobby Chester
Aubrey Jene	...	Laurie Chester
Richard Crenna	...	Al Pellet
Rip Torn	...	Scully
John Larroquette	...	Don Moore
Richard Herd	...	Angus MacLachlan
Santos Morales	...	Cortez
Lois Hamilton	...	Vicki Sanders
Carmine Caridi	...	Ed Sanders
Francis X. McCarthy	...	Hal (as Frank McCarthy)
Pierrino Mascarino	...	Maitre D'
Harry Yorku	...	Pirate Musician

Storyline

Jack Chester, an overworked air traffic controller, takes his family on vacation to the beach. Things immediately start to go wrong for the Chesters, and steadily get worse. Jack ends up in a feud with a local yachtsman, and has to race him to regain his pride and family's respect.

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Plot Keywords:

race | air traffic controller | vacation | beach | father son relationship | 

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Taglines:

John Candy is about to face the most devastating experience known to man... the family vacation.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

9 August 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Aluga-se Para O Verão

Filming Locations:

18220 Sunset Boulevard, Redington Shores, Florida, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Karen Austin (Sandy Chester) was only 29 when the movie was filmed, and is less than 12 years older than Kerri Green, who played her daughter.

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Goofs

When the regatta race begins, the shots on the Barnacle change to Laurie asking Sandy: "Mommy can I play in the basement with Yorku"? The voice however is not of Laurie, but instead is Jennifer making a young child voice.

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Quotes

Jack Chester: I love you Scully. That's not the booze talkin' either.

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Connections

References Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985)

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Soundtracks

Axel F
Written by Harold Faltermeyer

User Reviews

Candy is dandy!

"Summer Rental" is a very pleasant comedy vehicle from director Carl Reiner and star John Candy. Candy stars as Jack Chester, an air traffic controller under alot of stress. His boss tells him he needs some time off from his job. So he packs up his family and heads for Florida hoping to have the time of their lives. But it doesn't go exactly that way, especially for Candy. He experiences about as much stress vacationing as he does at work. The funniest part of "Summer Rental" is the opening 5 minutes, with Candy exhibiting the kind of stress that causes his superiors to suggest a vacation. This part is a riot, and the movie is very funny for the first half. The film loses a little of its comic edge in the second half, when Candy takes up sailing and tries to win a bet against one of the locals, an obnoxious yachtsman played gamely by Richard Crenna. The second half still has some funny moments, but not as much as in the first half. Still, "Summer Rental" is a nice little movie, with the late John Candy giving one of his better leading performances. Karen Austin is very good as Candy's supportive wife Sandy; a very young Joey Lawrence (several years before "Blossom", back when he was starring on Nell Carter's '80s sitcom "Gimme A Break!") shines as Candy's son Bobby; Rip Torn is somewhat amusing as Scully, owner of a local restaurant on a boat who becomes Candy's good friend; and "Night Court's" John Larroquette also makes an appearence in a bit part. "Summer Rental" is one of director Reiner's better films, and it gets to show off Candy's considerable comic talents that are sorely missed today.

*** (out of four)