It’s often charming and fun, and poignant in its portrayal of adolescent friendship. Quite an interesting cast, with Peter Sellers (in his first U.S. role, I think) as a charlatan concert-pianist Lothario and Tom Bosley and Angela Lansbury as the parents of one of the two girls who are the lead protagonists, both of whom were played by newcomers. (Hayley Mills and Patty Duke were originally touted for the roles but were unavailable.) It’s also one of director George Roy Hill’s first outings. Based on a 1958 novel by Nora Johnson, daughter of screenplay writer Nunnally Johnson, who partnered with her to adapt the book for the film. Elizabeth T. Walker (billed as Tippy Walker) delivers a mesmerizing performance as Val, the girl in the oversized fur coat. (She went on to make a few more movies and was on the late-1960s weekly TV version of Peyton Place, and is friends with our very own Allen Lowe.)
I first came across mention of the film years ago in an article about Daniel Clowes, who cited it as one of the inspirations for Ghost World. (In the movie adaptation Enid has a poster for the film on her bedroom wall.)
On the topic of John Szwed, you might also dig his new book Cosmic Scholar: The Life and Times of Harry Smith.