TALE-8: More about movie theaters
LEE ZION, EDITOR
Harrison County Times-Reporter
I’m sorry I didn’t get to tell the full story of my relationship with movie theaters in last week’s edition of the paper, when I wrote about the Rialto Theater. I have a lot of memories of movies from childhood. My family didn’t have much money, so trips to the movies were a rare and special treat. Some of those movies still stick with me.
Every year, my mother insisted that the two of us leave the house on Thanksgiving Day so she could cook dinner. This was a huge production, because the whole family would be coming, and she did not want me and my brother underfoot.
Dad was instructed to get us out of the house. But what was open on Thanksgiving Day? The movies. Therefore, Thanksgiving meant a real movie, in a real theater. Years later, I honor that tradition by seeing a movie — any movie — on Thanksgiving.
Some of these movies stand out, years later. There was “Watership Down,” in 1978,which my mom, uncharacteristically, insisted we go out to see. I rebelled, because there was no way I would go see “some dumb movie about a ship sinking.”
Hollywood compounded this error by releasing another film, that same year, with a similar title. “Gray Lady Down” really was “some dumb movie about a ship sinking.” I know nothing about this film, but you’ll have to work hard to convince me my initial impression was incorrect.
As for “Watership Down,” that was an animated film about rabbits. The film stayed with me all this time, but I warn you there is nothing cute about these rabbits. They are struggling to survive.
Another standout, two years later, was a film my mother insisted that we go see. But she didn’t mention what the movie was, nor did she even mention we were going to see a movie. I was simply ordered to get in the car. I was sure I was about to be punished. For what? I had no idea.
Imagine my surprise when we pulled into the parking lot of the theater, and imagine my even bigger surprise when — rare for a mainstream multiplex — it was a Japanese-language movie. I had no idea what this “Kagemusha” thing was, but the poster said the film was being presented by George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola. Well, if the “Star Wars” guy liked it, that was good enough.
And it was. I didn’t know it back then, but I had just witnessed one of the greatest movies ever made, by one of the greatest directors who ever lived. This movie, with its epic battle scenes, really needs to be seen on the BIG screen.
So many movies had a huge influence over me, but I will stop at three. Many years later, I visited my grandmother in New York City, and she loved the films of her youth. She said I should go see “My Man Godfrey,” which was playing at a small theater nearby. I went, and since there was another movie coming on right after, I figured I might as well stay.
I’m so glad I did. Cary Grant’s name came up, and I recognized the name, along with Ralph Bellamy, who had recently appeared in “Trading Places,” opposite Eddie Murphy. A magazine article stated that Bellamy, in his prime, always played the loser in every romantic triangle. So, even while the opening credits were still rolling, I had an idea what to expect.
Then, a warning flashed on the screen. The movie takes place in the “Dark Ages” of newspapers, when reporters would do ANYTHING to get a story.
The notice then goes on to say that the people in the movie bear “no resemblance to the men and women of the press of today.”
I was hooked. The movie was “His Girl Friday,” and it was hilarious. It ignited in me a love of old movies, and a love of newspapers. Both of these have lasted more than 40 years.
There’s so much more. So much! But that will have to wait. In the meantime, I’ll see you at the Rialto.
