If you’ve been reading this blog for a long time, you already know I love classic movies. There is something about the grainy film and orchestrated music that makes my heart sing. As the days around here get hotter and hotter, my afternoons may be spent watching a few of my favorites.
A typical day at Winterpast will find me gardening as soon as I can make noise, usually around 8 am. By 10, it’s just too warm. Getting older every day, I find the heat drains any extra energy I have. Those warm afternoons are great for housework or crafts while a classic movie plays in the background.
After 68 years, I can’t say I have a favorite. There are so many, it would be much to hard to choose just one. I absolutely love Alfred Hitchcock. Clint Eastwood’s held my attention for longer than I’d like to admit. And then, there are the romantic comedies of the 80’s and 90’s, which might be considered classics by now.
Every few years, I find the need to have a “Godfather” marathon. There is something so mysterious and alluring about the life of gangsters. Especially those coming from Sicily. I can hardly believe it came out when I was a Junior in high school.
HHH loves John Wayne and any good western. Good thing we have that in common. When we married, the similarities in our individual movie collections were a mystery. How could two people have so many duplicates of favorite movies? He also owned many that I loved, but hadn’t yet purchased. Between the two of us, we now have quite a collection.
The golden Age in film began in 1927, with so many great films produced in 1939. My personal 1939 favorite will forever remain “The Wizard of Oz”. Growing up, there would be a special spring night when television channels (of which there were three), would show the movie. Just once a year. There were no videos or computers on which to play the movie at will. On that big night, bedtimes were ignored as we all sat around the television in awe of the amazing story.
Until we got a colored television, I never know Kansas showed in black and white, while the Land of Oz was in flaming technicolor. Such an amazing development in 1939.
Characters in classic movies inspire us, like John Wayne in The Quiet Man. They’re relevant in a timeless way, even though they may have been filmed decades before. They’re often filmed in beautiful locations we’d all like to visit. These movies maintain a fan base, while gaining new fans as time goes on.
One thing is for certain. Classic movies are special and the ability to watch the greatest actors of all time is a true gift.
So, whatever you decide today, you might want to take time to grab some popcorn, a drink, your favorite chair, and relax with one of the greats. Heck, I won’t tell if you spend the afternoon with Clint. I’ve been know to do the same. A classic movie is memorable, makes an impact on society, and withstands the test of time. They’ll remain loved for generations to come.
More tomorrow