Almost Summer (1978) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A manipulated school election becomes a test of independence, honesty, and personal reconciliation.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A Candidate From Nowhere

Bobby's preferred candidate is suspended, leaving the campaign without a viable challenger to Christine. Bobby and Dean recruit the overlooked Darryl and push him into the election.

Key Events

• Beach Campaign Gathering — Students back Bobby's candidate while Christine cuddles with Kevin. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Christine Alexander, Kevin Hawkins Location: California beach
• Campaign Betting — Bobby manages Grant's campaign and takes bets against Christine. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Christine Alexander Location: California beach
• Grant Is Suspended — Bobby and Dean learn that Christine had Grant suspended. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Dean Hampton, Christine Alexander Location: School attendance office
• Replacement Candidate Search — The friends seek a replacement candidate before the vote. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Dean Hampton Location: School
• Darryl Needs A Note — Bobby encounters Darryl while Darryl seeks a note for arriving late. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Darryl Fitzgerald Location: Attendance office
• Darryl Accepts The Campaign — Bobby persuades Darryl to challenge Christine for president. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Darryl Fitzgerald Location: Attendance office

Building The Challenger

Darryl impresses students with his first speech while Bobby trains him as a candidate. Personal feelings and romantic complications begin to interfere with the campaign.

Key Events

• Assembly Candidate Speech — Darryl gives a speech that positively impresses classmates. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Darryl Fitzgerald, Christine Alexander Location: School assembly
• Christine And Kevin Argue — They argue about their future after Kevin misses a football scholarship. Characters: Christine Alexander, Kevin Hawkins Location: School
• Campaign Training — Bobby trains Darryl to become a more capable candidate. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Darryl Fitzgerald, Dean Hampton Location: School and student hangout
• Darryl Likes Christine — Bobby reveals another student's feelings, while Darryl admits he likes Christine. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Darryl Fitzgerald Location: Student hangout

The Campaign Turns Personal

Christine challenges Darryl, and accusations that he is Bobby's puppet provoke a cafeteria fight. Darryl insists that he can act independently and accepts the debate.

Key Events

• Debate Challenge — Christine challenges Darryl and calls him Bobby's puppet. Characters: Christine Alexander, Darryl Fitzgerald, Bobby DeVito Location: School
• Cafeteria Food Fight — A personal dispute involving Bobby sparks a cafeteria food fight. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Darryl Fitzgerald Location: School cafeteria
• Darryl Claims Independence — Bobby doubts Darryl can win, but Darryl insists he is independent. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Darryl Fitzgerald Location: School

Truth Under Pressure

Darryl defends Duane during the campus arrest and gains momentum. He wins the election, but Bobby's staged police operation threatens the meaning of the victory.

Key Events

• Debate Begins — Christine and Darryl face each other in the student election debate. Characters: Christine Alexander, Darryl Fitzgerald, Bobby DeVito, Dean Hampton Location: School debate venue
• Duane Is Arrested — Dean reports that police are arresting Duane on campus. Characters: Darryl Fitzgerald, Dean Hampton, Duane Jackson Location: School campus
• Illegal Search Exposed — Darryl cites California law and exposes the illegal search. Characters: Darryl Fitzgerald, Duane Jackson Location: School campus
• Election Day Truce — Bobby and Christine call a truce while Darryl faces the election. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Christine Alexander, Darryl Fitzgerald Location: School
• Darryl Wins Election — Darryl wins the student body presidency but is questioned about his motives. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Christine Alexander, Darryl Fitzgerald Location: School
• The Police Bust Was Staged — Bobby admits that the police bust involving Duane was staged. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Darryl Fitzgerald, Duane Jackson Location: School

Honesty At The Prom

Darryl rejects the presidency after confessing the truth, yet classmates support him for his honesty. The prom closes the story with renewed relationships and emotional reconciliation.

Key Events

• Darryl Rejects Presidency — Darryl tells classmates the truth and declines the presidency. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Darryl Fitzgerald Location: School
• Prom Invitation — A classmate arrives dressed for prom and insists Darryl attend. Characters: Darryl Fitzgerald Location: Darryl's home
• Classmates Support Darryl — Darryl is moved by classmates' support at the prom. Characters: Darryl Fitzgerald, Bobby DeVito, Christine Alexander, Dean Hampton, Kevin Hawkins Location: School prom
• Relationships Reconnect — Dean reunites with his girlfriend, while Bobby and Christine kiss. Characters: Bobby DeVito, Christine Alexander, Dean Hampton Location: School prom

Story Breakdown

• Beach Election Setup — The students' election culture and the central rivalry are introduced at a California beach gathering.
  • Campaign Betting — Bobby manages Grant's campaign and takes bets against Christine.
  • Romantic Rivalry — Christine appears with Kevin, her new boyfriend and senior class president.
• Finding A Challenger — Grant's suspension forces Bobby and Dean to search for an alternative candidate.
  • Grant Suspended — Bobby and Dean discover that Christine had Grant suspended.
  • Darryl Recruited — Bobby persuades the anonymous Darryl to enter the race.
• Campaign Transformation — Darryl develops from an overlooked student into a credible public candidate.
  • Assembly Speech — Darryl impresses classmates during the candidate introduction.
  • Candidate Training — Bobby guides Darryl through campaign preparation.
• Personal Campaign Conflict — Romantic feelings and accusations of manipulation threaten the campaign partnership.
  • Christine's Challenge — Christine accuses Darryl of being Bobby's puppet.
  • Cafeteria Chaos — A dispute involving Bobby erupts into a food fight.
• Debate And Arrest — The election debate becomes a public test of Darryl's independence and principles.
  • Darryl's Independence — Darryl rejects Bobby's claim that he cannot defeat Christine.
  • Duane's Legal Defense — Darryl challenges the illegal search during Duane's arrest.
• Victory And Exposure — Darryl wins but rejects a victory built partly on Bobby's deception.
  • Election Victory — Darryl wins the presidency after the campaign's final contest.
  • Staged Bust Revealed — Bobby admits that the police operation involving Duane was staged.
• Honesty And Prom — Darryl's confession earns genuine support and closes the story with reconciliation.
  • Presidency Declined — Darryl tells classmates the truth and gives up the office.
  • Prom Reconciliation — Classmates support Darryl while Bobby and Christine share a kiss.

Directed by

Martin Davidson

Key Cast

• Bruno Kirby — Bobby DeVito
• Lee Purcell — Christine Alexander
• John Friedrich — Darryl Fitzgerald
• Didi Conn — Dobba DeVito
• Thomas Carter — Dean Hampton