The Summary for this unviewed film was based on contemporary sources, including a 12 Mar 1976 Hamilton, OH, Journal-News article, as well as reviews.
       According to the 16 Jun 1974 LAT review, writer-director Leon Capetanos based the screenplay on personal experience.
       A 30 Jun 1971 HR news item announced that a Houston, TX, venture capital corporation had created a subsidiary motion picture production company called Pondo Productions and Summer Run was included in a list of the studio’s first four pictures. Although Pondo was not mentioned in reviews or contemporary sources, Pondo executives Steven Graham and Jim Hart were credited as producer and associate producer, respectively. The film was budgeted under $1 million and principal photography was scheduled to begin 10 Aug 1971 in Paris, France, as well as in locations throughout Europe. The 7 Aug 1974 DV review added Holland, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Norway, and Greece to the list of filming sites. In the 12 Mar 1976 Journal-News article, actor Andrew "Andy" Parks, who starred as “Harry Ross” and was the real-life son of actors Betty Garrett and Larry Parks, stated that the shooting schedule lasted six weeks during the end of summer 1971. He also noted that although the picture was complete in 1971, the release was delayed because the filmmakers “ran into customs problems in Europe” and financing issues ensued in the U.S. Parks had formerly played several small roles in theatrically released motion pictures, including The Strawberry Statement (1970, see entry), and had performed in television shows, but Summer Run marked his first major role in a feature film.
       Although a national release cannot be confirmed until 1974, the film screened previously at festivals and won several awards, including the Director’s Choice Award at the U.S.A Film Festival in Dallas, TX, and the Best Dramatic Feature and Best Supporting Actress (Tina Lund) Awards at the Atlanta Film Festival. On 19 Aug 1974, DV reported that distribution rights had been acquired by Lighthouse Productions, Inc., and release was scheduled in “the 11 western states” Sep 1974; however, the film opened earlier that summer in Los Angeles, CA, on 19 Jun 1974 at The Music Hall.
       The picture was rereleased in 1976 with the title Harry and again in 1977 as The Backpack Girls. According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), the film was also titled Good Times.