DIANE FRANKLIN IN SUMMER GIRL

year: 1983 cast: Diane Franklin, Barry Bostwick, Kim Darby, Murray Hamilton, David Faustino rating: ***1/2

If the premise of a middle-aged couple hiring a seductive babysitter sounds familiar, it already was for fans of SUMMER GIRL when the popular HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE came out years later. Although both should give THE BABYSITTER starring William Shatner and Patty Duke the real credit. And Stanley Kubrick's LOLITA before that. But wait, she wasn't a babysitter.

Onto matters at hand... Teenage Diane Franklin stars as Cinni, who, during an interview with pregnant mother Kim Darby, looks downright plain and unassuming. That's the first surprise of this TV movie: they could actually make the gorgeous Diane Franklin, who had starred in THE LAST AMERICAN VIRGIN and would later play the cutie-pie French Exchange student in BETTER OFF DEAD, seem homely. But Kim Darby's Mary Shelburne trusts the ugly ducking... there's nothing to be threatened by... and the quirky babysitter is hired for the job.

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

When Mary and her husband Gavin, played by Barry Bostwick, pick her up – something’s happened. Cinni, dressed-down for summer, is gorgeous with, as described by a several characters including an old neighbor played by Murray Hamilton, “a hot little body.” This provides a dilemma for Mary, who realizes her husband, and even the kids, prefer the babysitter’s presence to her own.

Here's where Diane Franklin begins to really shine as the villainous vixen, manipulating not only Gavin with her sexual prowess but, acting like an assertive older sister, gets the kiddos on her team as well. Thus making Kim Darby, no stranger to pouting/put-upon characters, the victim who can't regain her family life.

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Although the chemistry heating up between Bostwick and Franklin is essential, the best moments occur tenuously between jealous mother and mischievous babysitter before the inevitable turning point, neither revealing their cards... just... yet. The only downtime occurs when Cinni's visited by her slightly older boyfriend, who is much too clingy. You'll want him outta the picture so the real sparks can fly between the married man whose wife is teetering on her last straw.

Eventually, when Cinni has no other choice but to play her desperate hand, finally going over the edge, the suspense works despite the limitations of a TV movie... As that genre goes, SUMMER GIRL is tops: providing enough edgy soap opera intrigue and repressed sexual energy to keep the viewer interested from start to finish.

Photo Gallery of Diane Franklin in the rare TV movie SUMMER GIRL

Kim Darby in SUMMER GIRL

 Laura Jacoby, Barry Bostwick and David Faustino in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Barry Bostwick in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin with Barry Bostwick in SUMMER GIRL

Kim Darby in SUMMER GIRL

Barry Bostwick in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin with Barry Bostwick in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Kim Darby almost snaps in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

Diane Franklin is Cinni in SUMMER GIRL

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