Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Gather Your Dime(s)

by Deanna


As I sit here in the kitchen drinking my 2nd cup of coffee and after reading the morning newspaper an idea for this week’s blog post drifted into my addled, head cold (which seems to have taken permanent residence) head.  I struggle with an idea every two weeks and I usually end up writing the post the day night before it’s due to be published on every other Wednesday.  And I would probably still be pondering this subject if it weren’t for the fact that tomorrow, Tuesday, I will be on an airplane on the way to my yearly late winter migration to Arizona to soak up some much needed sun and warmth, to visit with long-time friends, traipse around with my photo/buddies, Terri & Barbara, and just relish in the fun of the desert and it’s beauty.

OK, back to the idea of the week….movies.  I love movies. I have always loved movies. When I was perhaps 7  or 8, maybe even 6, I distinctly remember (obviously not the exact age) my Mother giving me a dime, walking me to the corner, holding my hand as I crossed the rather busy street we lived on and I watched her keep on eye on me as I walked the final 2 blocks to our local movie theater.  I paid my 10 cents, found my seat and watched whatever movie was playing over and over until my Dad would pick me up on his way home from work.  This scene played over and over again throughout the summers until we moved at the beginning of my 3rd grade.

Sometimes I still think of myself as that little girl, walking with dime in hand, paying for my ticket to be mesmerized by the characters and the story on the big screen.  I know this is hard to believe, but these were the days that there were no R rated movies, so sex scenes, no violence, other than a gun toting western with John Wayne or Hopalong Cassidy. Who? Some of you may be saying who??….google them, I say to you.

Image result for hopalong cassidy

Last night I watched, along with family members and friends, the 88th Oscar Awards. My daughter, Lisa is very much like her mother in that she also has a love-affair with the movies. She considers this a night to celebrate and does so by ordering Chinese Food (have no idea what Chinese Food has to do with celebrating other than the fact there is no cooking involved that is definite cause for celebration), passing out voting ballots to all in attendance, and oohing and ahhing and once in a-while an OMG as the stars begin the stroll down the red carpet prior to the big event.
I don’t think I have ever missed a production of the Oscars since I can remember. I vividly remember these moments….
  •  Sally Field’s 2nd Oscar win in 1984 when she excitedly said, “you like me” for her performance in “Places of the Heart."
  • Tom Hank's beautifully rendered acceptance speech after winning the Best Actor award for "Philadelphia" in 1994 for his performance as a gay man dying of aids and his salute to his high school drama teacher who was gay and who made a profound impact on Hank's life choice to become an actor.
  • Adrien Brody planting a big fat smooch on Halle Berry after she announced him as the best actor his protrayal in "The Pianist" in 2003.
  • Roberto Benigni after being announced winner for his performance in "Life Is Beautiful" in 1998 began hopping over the seats to clutch that Oscar ASAP.
  • Marlon Brandon won the best award for "The Godfather" in 1973 but instead sent Sacheen Littlefeather, an Apache woman whom Brando had sent in protest of Native American depiction in Hollywood films.  Littlefeather was initially met with boos and jeers from the crowd, then came overwhelming applause. Brando had written a 15 page speech detailing his beliefs but the Academy refused to allow Little feather to read it, and immeditately implemented new rules prohibiting proxy acceptance speeches.
  • Watching Ben Affleck and Matt Damon accepting the "best screenplay" award for "Good Will Hunting" in 1998. Their overwhelming enthusiasm and joy was enough to make anyone stand up and applaud. 

I could probably go on and on and on about these moments, but I would love to know what some of your favorite movies have been over the years.  As I stop to think of mine, I think of my all-time favorite movie as a little girl as being Disney’s “Cinderella”. I saw it 10 times in the movie theatre, remember those were the days when there was no such thing as DVD’s or On Demand.   When I google the “best 100” movies, I have to search for the ones I truly enjoyed, “Singing in the Rain”, “Mary Poppins” “The Wizard of Oz”. It’s obvious that I tend to lean toward the happy, music filled flicks.


This year’s list of winners and nominees were all brilliant movies.  I did see all the movies nominated for “Best Picture” except for “Mad Max Fury Road” which I have taped on my DVR.  I rooted for “Spotlight” to win best picture, which it did. I thought the portrayal and the ensemble of actors treated this very sensitive subject with distinct dignity and honor and truth.  I am delighted that Leo “finally” won an Oscar. I just wish it had been a less brutal movie than “The Revenant”.  I did root for the winning of the Best Cinematography for “The Revenant”. It truly was a spectacle of nature’s beauty with the snow covered vistas, the light shining through the tall trees, the sunsets, and vastness of the wilderness.  Leo’s acceptance speech (oh he is truly a handsome man with that slicked back hair, neatly trimmed goatee, and piercing blue eyes) was thought-provoking with his warning of the effects of Global Warming, a cause he supports with intense concern.


So, do you love movies like me? If you do, I would love to hear some of your favorites over the years.  Or better yet, gather your dime(s) and go see a good movie today.




10 comments:

Carol said...

I am right there with you, Deanna. In fact, I can almost match your story. I grew up in a small town but the movie theater was in the next town over. At about 10 uears old, I was allowed to go with a few friends on THE TRAIN, one stop over to the theater, in time to get my Raisonettes and see the show. Its so hard to pick a favorite, but I know these woul be on the list: Casablanca, Gone With the Wind, The Graduate, Local Hero, The Perfect Storm, Sleepless in Seattle, Shakespeare in Love, How Green Was my Valley. OK -I am going to be late for work if I don't stop -but you can see Im a fan!
( oh yeah -tItanic too)

kybarb said...

I love movies but have to say that I have a hard time finding good ones the past few years. My favorites from years ago--South Pacific, Singing in the Rain, Grease and most any movie with singing & dancing! Also the Indiana Jones movies, first Star Wars movie, Ordinary People (Mary Tyler Moore & Timothy Hutton), Norma Ray, & Steel Magnolias. I also got an image of dimes & nickels tied up in a cloth handkerchief when you mentioned dimes for the movies although I think the money was for church maybe?

kelly said...

I do love the movies Deanna! I worked at movie theatre during my highschool and college. I love being transported and inspired and occasionally challenged to new ideas. I too was rooting for Leo however difficult I found it watching The Revenant. Such a fun post today Deanna! Have fun in AZ!

terriporter said...

Oh, yes, I love the movies too! And the Oscars! I always love watching them even if I haven't seen all of the movies. I remember double features and sitting through movies twice. One double feature I vividly remember was watching Old Yeller and then being so sad I just wanted to go home and not see the second movie (which I don't even remember)! And being so emotional at the end of Shindler's List that I had to bury my sobs by gulping down my Coke! One of my all-time favorite movies is Out of Africa -- the story, the music, and one of my favorite actors at that time, Robert Redford. But so many that you mentioned are favorites as well. It's so great to escape into another world for a few hours and watch the silver screen. I was also thrilled for Leo. He's done so much great work and I'm glad that was finally recognized. These days I seem to take my grandson to more movies than I see on my own and some I just have to grin and bear but I have to admit I loved the new Star Wars! I actually saw it twice! All of your "vivid moments" of Oscar history are etched in my brain too. Such a fun post, Deanna, and one that is bringing back lots of movie memories for all of us!

Liz said...

I'm a movie lover too, Deanna! I love Disney, anything musical, Oceans 11, 12 & 13, I loved Philadelphia, I could go on and on!!

Dotti said...

I'm not an avid movie-goer anymore but I was when I was younger. When we were first married, a cheap date was a movie and McDonalds. In fact, our first date was a movie. The last movie I saw was the newest Star Wars and like Terri, I loved it and can't wait for the next one - although I understand it will be a while. I loved all the Harry Potter movies, so fun to see that imagination on a larger than life screen. The very first movie I saw was with my parents, 'Snow White'. When that came out, it was revolutionary and I still remember the over-the-top excitement I felt.

That 'Singin' in the Rain' photo is such a classic, as the movie was.

Enjoy Arizona, I'm sure you're on your way finally. And I can't wait to see the photos of your photo day with Terri and Barbara!

Anonymous said...

Very interesting topic, Deanna! What an awesome time in your life as a child...such sweet memories! I don't recall going to the indoor movies as much as I remember our parents loading us up in the car with blankets, snacks and of course those coiled up long burning mosquito deterrents on the dashboard lol! My mother loved Clint Eastwood movies, so that was the movie of choice back in the 60's! Clint Eastwood is still one of my favorite actors today! Back when I was a child, we didn't have the capability of seeing a movie on television over and over like we can today! So, when The Wizard of Oz came on it was a BIG night...such anticipation of an awesome all time movie! It's so interesting to watch old movies made in black and white! Technology has certainly come a long way, but when you think about it...you don't miss what you never had! Some of my favorite actors and actresses include, but not limited to those deceased or still living: Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks (one of my favs) Sally Fields, Whoopi Goldberg, Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon..I could literally fill a few pages with more! Thanks for sharing you story, I loved it!

Cathy H. said...

I was brought up rather strictly and wasn't allowed to go the movies as a child. I do remember around 1960 the Broadway production of Peter Pan was telecast on TV. I would have been about seven. It was my first movie even if it was on television. The story and movies still hold a special place in my memories. When I was sixteen I was finally allowed to go the movie theater. I went with my now husband, Jerry, to see Love Story. I've never forgotten that movie either. Even after exposure to theaters, I didn't go very often and still don't. I took my children to a few Disney movies, but that's about it. It's been fun reminiscing these times today. Love the post!

Michele.NYC said...

I've got a few favorites: the Shawshank Redemption, Joe vs the Volcano, Field of Dreams and most Marvel movies.

Jeanne said...

Great post Deanna, and hoping you are now down in the warmer weather! and the runny nose is better. I also have lots of movie memories as a child. I used to take a big jar of olives to the movie with me and I loved rolling the pits down the aisle... Was probably busier doing that than watching the movie. Have a great time in phoenix

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