I grew up in the house they used for the interior shots of the school and was in high school when they filmed there. Of course it was a blast getting to watch the movie-making process close up and to meet the actors. Sam Waterston was virtually unknown at the time (this was before his big break in The Great Gatsby with Robert Redford) and was somewhat aloof, as was Tuesday Weld, although I can understand the stress & hours that are involved in movie acting would cause an actor to conserve his/her energy. Joan Hackett on the other hand was very warm and outgoing - she would hang out in the kitchen with our family during her down time and talk away. She obviously fed off the energy of others and I have very fond memories of her, even though she was something of a drama queen. Watching the movie now, I'm very surprised at how well it has stood the test of time. John Badham used the combination of the Bach score and the damp and dead-leafy environment of Puget Sound in autumn to classic effect and I have come to appreciate Hackett's nuanced performance more as an adult than I ever could as a teenager. The movie really captures the feeling of the area and brings me fond memories of my childhood autumns.
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