Hayley Mills stars in ‘The Truth about Spring’ now on Blu-ray

Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's

Hayley Mills stars alongside her father John in this 1965 rom-com. Also starring James MacArthur, The Truth about Spring is the story of a treasure hunter con-artist and his tomboy daughter.

Tommy Tyler (John Mills) and his daughter Spring (Hayley) live their life sailing around the Caribbean in their little boat. Spring is the quintessential tomboy and Tommy is the quintessential con artist who is always looking for treasure or to con people out of food and supplies, which he does brilliantly and with a flair. 

Tommy invites a young lawyer (MacArthur) to sail with them for a few weeks while he is on vacation before starting his new job in Philadelphia. William Ashton is not just a lawyer, he is rich and very handsome. Tommy sees a potential love that could brew between Bill and Spring, to her chagrin. But slowly, as the days wear on, they do form a friendship and yes, they fall in love.

While their romance is blooming, Tommy is continually bothered by two other men who are interested in the treasure map he possesses which leads to a sunken treasure. Even when his life is threatened, he keeps his cool and always, and I do mean always, manages to come out on top. This is one clever man. 

So, with the romance unfolding and Spring’s awareness of her femininity, everything on the boat points to a great future for them all. And no matter what is thrown at Tommy, he takes life with a grain of salt – sea salt. This crusty sailer has a keen sense of everything around him, and Spring has inherited that ability, although it takes some time before she realizes her true feelings for Bill.

This is a cute film with some great stars. John Mills won the Academy Award in 1971 for his role in Ryan’s Daughter. Hayley starred in many popular films as a child and into her adulthood, most notably Pollyanna (1960), The Parent Trap (1961), Summer Magic (1963), The Chalk Garden (1964), The Moon-Spinners (1964), and That Darn Cat! (1965) before co-starring with her father in this film. And James MacArthur is probably best known for his role in Hawaii Five-0 from 1968-1979). He also appeared in Swiss Family Robinson (1960) and many other films.

This new Blu-ray release of The Truth about Spring features a new commentary by film historian Gary Gerani. It is not rated.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.