become one of the popular songs of the year. It was sung by Burl Ives. "On the Front Porch" is songwriter Robert Sherman's personal favorite song from his own work. Release The film poster and other associated advertising art were illustrated by artist Paul Wenzel. Critical response Variety called the film "an easy-to-take entertainment that promises to be of particular delight to the younger element. The Disney trademark shows through all the way, meaning devotees of Tennessee Williams had better not be invited". John L. Scott of the Los Angeles Times wrote: "School vacationers, and their parents, will find that Walt Disney's 'Summer Magic' lives up to its title admirably ... The plot of 'Summer Magic' is slim but producer Disney and director James Neilson have worked sentimentality and humor into a nice blend". Richard L. Coe of The Washington Post stated, "'Summer Magic' was a pleasure to the small fry who packed the Metropolitan yesterday, but this Walt Disney gift, which includes Hayley Mills and Burl Ives, will charm oldsters as well". The pseudonymous "Mae Tinee" of the Chicago Tribune wrote that "I was disappointed in this one. It is a perfectly clean, wholesome story which seems to aim at the amusing nostalgia of a 'Meet Me in St. Louis' but never achieves it. The plot is both calculated and obvious and all the characters are drawn with a heavy hand". The Monthly Film Bulletin commented that the ingredients of the film "could mean a sticky confection, but thanks to the intelligent, and at times very funny script, and a well integrated cast, the result is a delicious soufflé". Filmink said Maguire "looks like she's going to fall asleep". Literary sources Sherman, Robert B. Walt's Time: From Before to Beyond. Santa Clarita: Camphor Tree Publishers, 1998. References External links Summer Magic at UltimateDisney.com 1963 films 1963 musical films Walt Disney Pictures films Films scored by Buddy Baker (composer) Films based on American novels Films directed by James Neilson Films produced by Walt Disney Films set in Maine Musicals by the Sherman Brothers Films based on works by Kate Douglas Wiggin Films set in the 1900s 1960s English-language films