Herman Raucher, the acclaimed screenwriter behind the beloved coming-of-age film Summer of ’42, passed away on December 28th at the age of 95. His daughter Jenny Raucher announced his death, revealing that he died of natural causes while surrounded by loved ones at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut.
Raucher’s iconic screenplay for Summer of ’42 was later adapted into an international best-selling novel, solidifying his status as a master of storytelling. Released in 1971, the novel received four Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Original Screenplay.
The film depicted the nostalgic and bittersweet story of Hermie, a teenager played by Gary Grimes and based on Raucher himself. Set against the backdrop of Nantucket Island during World War II, Hermie becomes infatuated with a beautiful older woman named Dorothy, portrayed by Jennifer O’Neill, whose husband is away fighting in the war.
Directed by Robert Mulligan, known for his work on To Kill a Mockingbird, Summer of ’42 captivated audiences and critics alike. The film’s score, composed by Michel Legrand, won an Academy Award and became one of the most recognizable movie themes of the era.
Born on April 13, 1928, in Brooklyn, Raucher began his career in show business writing for Golden Age TV dramas like Studio One, Goodyear Playhouse, and The Alcoa Hour. Simultaneously, he worked as the Advertising Copy Director for Walt Disney’s expanding live-action productions under the company’s new venture, Buena Vista.
Raucher’s talents extended beyond the small screen, as he continued to make a name for himself in the advertising industry. Serving as the Creative Director and Board Member of major New York advertising agencies, he honed his skills before ultimately leaving the world of advertising to focus on his own writing.
Prior to Summer of ’42, Raucher had already showcased his talent with screenplays like the cult film Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness?. Co-written by and starring Anthony Newley, the film received critical acclaim in 1969. Raucher’s script for Sweet November, released the previous year, also caught attention as he collaborated with Sandy Dennis and Newley.
In 1970, Raucher once again demonstrated his versatility with the screenplay for Watermelon Man. This groundbreaking film served as a racially-charged satire, following the story of a racist white man who wakes up one morning to discover he has transformed into a Black man. Directed by Melvin Van Peebles, the film starred Godfrey Cambridge in the lead role, along with Estelle Parsons, who had recently received an Oscar for her performance in Bonnie and Clyde.
Throughout his career, Raucher continued to pen screenplays for popular films such as Ode To Billy Joe in 1976 and The Other Side of Midnight in 1977. He also played an uncredited role as a script doctor for the 1979 film The Great Santini. However, it was Summer of ’42 that solidified his reputation and became his signature work.
The tragic inspiration for Raucher’s masterpiece came from the loss of his best friend, Oscy Seltzer, during the Korean War. Seltzer’s death on April 13, 1952, deeply affected Raucher, leaving him with a lifelong difficulty in celebrating his own birthday. In both the movie and novel, Seltzer became a central character, portrayed by Jerry Houser in the film.
Raucher’s dedication to his friend’s memory didn’t end with Summer of ’42. In 1973, he wrote a sequel to the film titled Class of ’44, reuniting Grimes, Houser, and Oliver Conant from the original cast. Despite their efforts, the sequel failed to recreate the success of its predecessor, both critically and commercially. However, it is now recognized for featuring a brief, uncredited appearance by a young John Candy. Quentin Tarantino himself has expressed his admiration for both films, hailing Summer of ’42 as one of the best movies of the ’70s.
Despite his achievements in film and even the stage, Raucher always felt a deep affinity for the world of novels. According to his family, he “felt most at home with novels—the one medium in which no one could change as much as a comma without his approval—a condition to which every writer aspires but very few achieve.”
In addition to Summer of ’42, Raucher penned several other books, including A Glimpse of Tiger, There Should Have Been Castles, and Maynard’s House. Over the years, his novels have seen reissues and new foreign editions, as well as audiobook adaptations.
Raucher’s wife of 42 years, Mary Kathryn Raucher, a former student of the School of American Ballet and a Broadway dancer, predeceased him in 2002. He is survived by his daughters Jenny Raucher and Jacqueline Raucher-Salkin, her husband William Salkin, along with granddaughters Samantha Salkin and Jamie Salkin.
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations in Herman Raucher’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, supporting Parkinson’s disease research.
In the legacy of Herman Raucher, we find a gifted storyteller whose unique ability to capture the essence of coming-of-age experiences touched the hearts of audiences worldwide. His indelible mark on the world of cinema and literature ensures that his stories will continue to inspire and resonate for generations to come.