As Westporters open their pools for the summer, there are many more today than in 1966.
But there were enough that year — and our town had just the right suburban vibe — for a movie called “The Swimmer” to be filmed here.
Westport was not a random choice. The movie — based on a 1964 New Yorker short story of the same name by John Cheever — was adapted by Eleanor Perry, and directed by Frank Perry.
The couple lived in Westport. Frank grew up here, working as both a parking lot attendant and intern at the Westport Country Playhouse. He later produced several shows there, before turning to TV documentaries and then films.
But Lancaster starred in “The Swimmer.” (It marked Joan Rivers’ film debut too.)
The surrealist plot involved a suburban man who “swims” across Fairfield County, becoming increasingly distressed as he is reminded of his romantic and financial failures.
Burt Lancaster (3rd from right), in “The Swimmer.”
The Perrys used a number of different Westport locations during that summer shoot. (Later scenes were filmed in California, giving it an odd, bi-coastal look.)
It was released 2 years later, in 1968. It received mixed reviews, but has since become a cult classic.
Was your pool in “The Swimmer”? Do you remember that summer of filming? Do you even know who Burt Lancaster was? Click “Comments” below. (Hat tip: Ken Bernhard)
(Friday Flashback is one of “06880”‘s many regular features. If you enjoy this — or anything else on our website — please consider a tax-deductible contribution. Just click here. Thank you!)
