“It turned colder – that’s where it ends.”

“Summer Lovin’ ” said it best. Labor Day is almost upon us, and with it comes the undeniable truth that summer is, indeed, over. And so, too, ends our tribute to the books, movies, television shows, and songs that made summer special from 1976 to 1980.  This is our last blast from the past and your last chance to share your memories from summer — no matter what year it might, from 1900 to 2011. Tell us what you were reading in your memorable summers. By commenting below, you’ll be entered to win your very own Pawley’s Island Rope Hammock.

So, let’s go back to the start of the ’80s, when the hair was starting to get bigger and the world seemed Incredible…

August 1980

Movie

Caddyshack: Quotable and still hysterical, this movie was inspired by actual summertime memories. Writer and co-star Brian Doyle-Murray used his memories of working as a caddy at a golf club. His brother Bill Murray and director Harold Ramis also worked as caddies when they were teenagers.

Bill Murray, of course, played the legendary groundskeeper, the Cinderella story, Carl Spackler, who had a small problem with gophers on the golf course.

Sandy (Carl’s boss): I want you to kill every gopher on the course!
Carl: Check me if I’m wrong Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, they’re gonna lock me up and throw away the key…
Sandy: Gophers, ya great git! The gophers! The little brown furry rodents!
Carl: We can do that; we don’t even have to have a reason.

Books

Rage of Angels: Sidney Sheldon in his glory days. This worldwide bestseller follows successful New York assistant district attorney Jennifer Parker, who is torn between two men — one a politician, the other, a mafia don.

Random Winds: Belva Plain, the author of Evergreen, created this powerful  epic of three generations of doctors in one  magnificent family. The Farrells-dedicated, brilliant —  and driven to the edge of destruction by a love no human force could suppress.

Song

“Magic” by Oliva Newton John

You have to believe
We are magic
Nothing can stand in our way
You have to believe
We are magic
Don’t let your aim ever stray
And if all your hopes survive
Destiny will arrive
I’ll bring all your dreams alive
For you

Television

That’s Incredible! With John Davidson, Kathie Lee Crosby and Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton as hosts, this show was part Stupid HumanTricks as it showed us the bizarre sides of nature, medicine and human endeavor (including a Rubik’s Cube national championship). And we have it to thank for popularizing the phrase, “don’t try this at home.”