A Storm in Summer

Name: A Storm in Summer
Genre: Small Town, Cute Kid, Complete Strangers
Released: 2000-01-01
Duration: 1 h 34 min
Rating: 6.7
Cast: Peter Falk, Andrew McCarthy, Nastassja Kinski, Ruby Dee, Aaron Meeks

6.7/10 · 536 ratings20001h 34mWeirdness 3/10Bingo card

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The premise

An old Jewish shop owner Mr. Shaddick ('Peter Falk') suddenly finds himself responsible for a little black boy named Herman Washington ('Aaron Meek') trying to escape the chaos of Harlem as part of a sponsorship program. At first, Mr. Shaddick wants nothing more than to get rid of the kid, but to spite the well to do lady who tries to take him over to her home, he decides to take Herman in. As time goes on, Mr. Shaddick finds himself caring about Herman and has the misfortune of being the bearer of bad news, which reminds him of when he received a telegram himself.

Themes:Racial prejudice Shared grief Intergenerational friendship Impact of war Jewish identity

How unusual is it?

Honestly? Not very — and that's the charm. It plays the hits, which is exactly the point for a cozy night in.

Who’s in it

Lead

Peter Falk

as Abel Shaddick

Lead

Andrew McCarthy

as Stanley Banner

Alongside them

Show all 10 cast

Behind the camera

Show

Directed by

Robert Wise

Written by

Rod Serling

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

The film is a gritty period drama about racial tensions and war casualties, which is a significant departure from the standard Hallmark romance formula.
The nephew's subplot involves him changing his name from Bloom to Banner to hide his Jewish identity to fit into a country club.
The heavy focus on the specific details of WWII and Vietnam combat deaths.

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 19 to find more movies that do the same thing.

How it all plays out

Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.

Full story (spoilers)

The film begins in a small upstate New York town where Abel Shaddick, a curmudgeonly Jewish delicatessen owner, lives a life defined by routine and the memory of his son Benjy, who died in WWII. His nephew Stanley, who has changed his name to 'Banner' to assimilate into the local country club scene, volunteers to host a child through the 'Fresh Air' program but immediately leaves for a job in Atlantic City. This leaves Herman Washington, a tough nine-year-old from Harlem, stranded at Abel's shop. Initially, Abel is resistant and tries to send Herman back, but he eventually relents and takes the boy fishing—an activity he hasn't engaged in since his son's death twenty-five years prior. As the summer progresses, the two navigate the prejudices of the community. They are harassed by local thugs after a movie, and Herman reveals he carries a knife for protection, prompting Abel to reflect on how hate turns victims into haters. A visit to the local country club, at the invitation of socialite Gloria Ross, exposes them to the passive-aggressive elitism of the town's upper class. The emotional climax occurs when Gloria receives a call informing her that Herman's brother Bill, a soldier he idolized, has been killed in Vietnam. Abel is tasked with breaking the news. Herman, trying to honor his brother's advice to be tough, refuses to cry. In a poignant resolution, Abel shares the story of his own son's death and breaks down in tears himself, telling Herman, 'Let this old jew cry for the both of us.' The film concludes with Herman returning to New York, but the bond is permanent; Abel rejects Stanley's return to the house, declaring that the spare room is now reserved exclusively for Herman's future visits.

Beat by beat

Opening
Stanley Banner abandons his 'Fresh Air' host duties, leaving young Herman Washington at Abel Shaddick's deli.
Midpoint
Abel and Herman bond over a fishing trip, breaking Abel's decades-long mourning period for his son.
Midpoint
The duo faces racial and religious harassment from local thugs after attending a movie together.
Climax
Abel and Herman visit the country club, where they face social exclusion and receive news of Herman's brother's death in Vietnam.
Climax
Abel consoles a stoic Herman, allowing himself to finally express the grief he has held since 1944.
Resolution
Herman returns to Harlem, and Abel officially reserves a room in his home for the boy's return, displacing his selfish nephew.

Did you know?

A few things that make this one stand out once you stack it up against every other Hallmark movie.

Among everything Hallmark put out in 2000, this is the highest rated on the site — 6.7 out of 10.

19 tropes in one movie

We counted 19 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

The backstory

A Storm in Summer is a 2000 American made-for-television drama film directed by Robert Wise and starring Peter Falk, Andrew McCarthy, Nastassja Kinski, and Ruby Dee. The film premiered on Showtime on February 27, 2000. It is the last film to be directed by Wise.

From Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Higher-rated than 75% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog A Storm in Summer belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

BINGOThe two leads are forced to work togetherA deli owner grumbles behind his counterSomeone’s guard finally comes downA scenic spot becomes their meeting placeA warm hug that lingersSomeone cooks or bakes on screenA meaningful look held a beat too longA scene-stealing cute kidA charming local cafe or dinerAn old keepsake or photograph turns upA summer-program host backs out last minuteA first impression that turns out completely wrong★Someone races to catch the other before they leaveA slow-burn romanceThe town pulls together for one of its ownA character loses their memoryA big event everyone is preparing forSomeone angles for country club approvalSomeone inherits money or propertyA long-dead wartime son is mournedA relative anglicizes his Jewish surnameA shared meal around a crowded tableA widow or widowerA cup of cocoa, coffee or cider

Hallmark Bingo

Your A Storm in Summer card is dealt.

Twenty-four squares pulled from this movie’s own quirks — the cosy classics, a few only-in-this-one curveballs, and a couple of decoys. Mark them as you watch.

Open your card

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

“Let this old jew cry for the both of us.”
— Abel ShaddickAbel comforting Herman after learning Herman's brother died in Vietnam.
“The haters turn the victims into haters.”
— Abel ShaddickReflecting on Herman's defensive attitude and the town's bigotry.
“I cry because i'm old. I cry at the irony of things. I cry because fine young men die and old men just go on.”
— Abel ShaddickExplaining his emotional outburst to Herman.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

Abel Shaddick
Lead
Delicatessen Owner
CynicalGrievingPrincipledCurmudgeonly
Herman D. Washington
Lead
Student
Protagonist/Mentee
ToughObservantBraveGuarded
Stanley Banner (Bloom)
Supporting
Aspiring Manager
Nephew
Self-centeredSuperficialFlaky
Gloria Ross
Supporting
Socialite
Acquaintance
Well-meaningInitially superficialEmpathetic