Recently I saw a wonderful musical
from the early fifties, "Showboat." Whenever I mention this
movie to a friend, I invariably get the reply that they don't make movies like
that anymore. Doubtless there are many who may not care for musicals, but I
feel that there are many more who miss the films of yesterday.
Oh, for those
great dramas from the '40s, black and while films such as "Laura" or
the very suspenseful "Woman in the Window." Those films of
yesteryear, with their great plots and intriguing story lines, are sorely
missed. Actors employed good diction then, an attribute sadly absent from
today's movies, when we're forced to turn the volume up on the remote, just so
we can understand what the actor is saying.
The early '40s
covered World War II, so war movies proliferated during this
period. Movies such as "A Walk in the Sun" or "Purple
Heart" told a great story, well done. Unfortunately, many war movies were
poorly made, with American actors posing as German soldiers and speaking
English with a German accent.
As a kid growing
up in the forties, going to the movies was the high point of my week. My
older brothers and I walked several miles to the nearest theater. For a dime,
we saw the feature film, plus various extras, such as Movietone News, "The
Phantom" (an adventure series), The Three Stooges and/or "The Passing
Parade", a special interest extra. Often, the theater showed a
sing-a-long, with words to the song on the screen, so that the entire audience
could sing. (Yes, I know. Corny.)
The early
fifties heralded musical extravaganzas like the aforementioned
"Showboat," "Carousel," "Kiss Me, Kate" and many
more, all in technicolor. This period also brought us biblical epics, such
as "The Robe" and "The Ten Commandments."
An innovation of
the fifties were drive-in theaters, soon dubbed "passion pits."
(I wonder why!)
My mother was
born in 1906, so she came of age when silent movies were still in vogue. One
memory must have stood out in her mind. The film showed a train hurtling down
the track. Everyone in the audience jumped from their seat and ran out. They
thought the train was coming after them!
We've come a
long way since then. These days, more sophisticated audiences are
treated to realistic battle scenes, with all of its attendant blood and
gore. On the other hand, special effects can create a truly enjoyable movie,
such as the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, with its terrifyingly
realistic monsters and walking, talking trees. Great battle scenes here,
without the gore.
As we ventured
into the '70s, former restraints and restrictions fell away. Sex, violence,
nudity and foul language became common movie fare. These changes prompted a
codification of movies, from G for general audiences, to PG (parental
guidance), and on to PG-13 and R rated. It remains a mystery--at least to
me--why Hollywood produces so many R-rated films, since by their very content
viewership is reduced.
Another change
came with the seventies, this one quite undesirable. For reasons I
can't understand, theatergoers--not all of them, but many--became
unbearably rude. Lots of people, with apparently nothing else to do
on a Saturday night, headed for the movie theater and loaded up at the
concession stand with a large bag of popcorn, munching throughout the movie.
But it didn't end there. These same people threw the box on the floor when they
were finished, then headed to the concession stand again to get a soft
drink, all this while most moviegoers just wanted to watch the film.
Just in time,
video cassettes came on the scene. Now you could watch a movie in the
comfort of your living room, and not worry about noisy theatergoers. Now,
too, DVDs have replaced video cassettes. You can find a wide range of
movies at your local library or rent them through Netflix. And you can buy them
from Amazon. With streaming, you can watch movies on the Internet. Actually,
there are many movies you can access with just a click of the cursor.
Watching movies
is fun again.
And if, besides
watching movies, you like to read, do I have a great selection for you. Click
on this link:
http://amzn.to/1zN7YAq and you'll find
my historical, paranormal, and fantasy romances. Two of them--"Night
Secrets" and "Dream Weaver" are also in print. Check at your
local bookstore.
Shirley Martin
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Shirley, I'm not really a movie watcher. Yes, there were some good old ones but I do find in the few new ones I watch these days the acting is much better than in many of the old ones. I also went to the Saturday movies with my friends years ago but I'm not sure the movies was my reason for going. Being with friends and escaping the chores my mother wanted me to do was another. Good luck with your writing.
ReplyDeleteJanet, thanks for your comments. Possibly movies and acting are more realistic today. I still enjoy many of the old movies, esp. the musicals.
ReplyDeleteI used to love to go to the movies, until, as you described, Shirley, the whole movie-theater atmosphere changed. People talking out loud was the main thing that bugged me. Now I'm quite happy to watch a movie in the comfort--and quiet--of my own home.
ReplyDeleteAnn, that's how I feel. And you can watch a movie at your own speed, setting the remote on Pause when you want to take a break. No noisy moviegoers.
DeleteI always get near a jerk at the theater who coughs, sneezes or talks through the entire film. I miss the days of the drive-in when you could watch in the comfort of your own car...or make out if the movie was boring. *lol* Now I rent movies when there is one I want to watch, but I'd rather read...books are usually much better. Happy New Year, my friend.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather read, too. Thanks for your comment, Ginger.
DeleteI prefer to read, too, Shirley, and like Ginger I have fond memories of the drive-in theatre. I recall seeing the Hitchcock thriller PSYCHO at a drive in. Both my daughters and grand daughter love to go out and see the latest flick. I'd rather stay in and watch whatever is showing on HBO or Direct TV.
ReplyDeleteIMO, it's so much better to watch a movie at home. Thanks for your reply, Sandy.
DeleteAh those old movies, Shirley. What memories. My sister and I would join the queue in the rain to watch such movies as The Bells of St Mary's- remember- Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. The last one I saw at the theater was Avatar and spent half the film with my eyes closed as I suffer vertigo. I enjoyed it much more at home without the 3D glasses and the noise. And the actor's diction was so much better years ago. Half the time these days I think I am going deaf.
ReplyDeleteTricia, I feel the same as you about the actor's diction. Often, it seems as if they just mumble.
DeleteHow I loved the Andy Hardy movies. Mostly now I go to see art house movies but they don't shine like the old ones.
ReplyDeleteFunny, I don't think I ever watched the Andy Hardy movies. I did enjoy the dramas, such as "Laura" or the one I mentioned, "Woman in the Window."
DeleteHi Shirley,
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I can remember the Saturday arvo when we used to go to the old "flea hoüse" as the theatre was called and watch a full movie, plus cartoons and then short Superman or Phantom movie as well.
Cheers
Margaret
Oh, those were the days. Many of those old movies are just classics. The musicals were magic and I'm still a sucker for them. One of my all time favorites was From Here to Eternity. I loved the 'B' movies and the newsreels too.
ReplyDeleteWe still go to the movies, usually the earliest showing, sometimes 10 a.m. and we've been the only one in the theater. That's great. We also love watching streamed movies and DVDs. When I was a kid-eons ago--our family went to a double feature every Friday night, always a good movie paired with what was called a B movie. (most not so good.)
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post, Shirley. You covered the decades of movie-going so well. Frankly, I think it's sad that the drive-in movies have gone by the wayside. I remember when we took our 5-year-old son to the drive-in movies to see Starwars on a balmy summer night. The real night sky just seemed to meld with the starry sky on the movie screen. It was memorable!
ReplyDelete