Classic Films

     One of my favorite movie theaters, the Clearview Claridge in Montclair, shows classic movies every Saturday & Sunday.  It is a thrill seeing a classic movie on the big screen, even though the screens at the Claridge aren't all that big.  They are still larger than my television's screen.  The theater has screened such classics as On the Waterfront,  Gone With the Wind, Dr. Zhivago, The Wizard of Oz, Casablanca, The Princess Diaries.  The what?  The Princess Diaries?  Since when is The Princess Diaries a classic film?  I've been waiting for ages for the theater to screen The Best Years of Our Lives or From Here to Eternity, yet they screen The Princess Diaries.  Upcoming films include The Sound of Music, The Apartment, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Stella Dallas (the original with Barbara Stanwyck), and Beetlejuice.  What the fudge!?!?!?!?!  Now, don't get me wrong-I am a big fan of the movie Beetlejuice.  I consider it to be very entertaining.  But a classic?  I think someone is confused about the meaning of the word.  I don't know if it's the folks who are requesting the films, which can be done online, or the people doing the actual scheduling,  but if they are advertising classic films, then only classic films should be screened in that time slot.   Of course, classic films are not restricted to really old films, for example from the forties, fifties, or sixties.  I would think they'd show "newer" old films, such as Fatal Attraction, Jurassic Park, or Jaws, before they would show The Princess Diaries or Beetlejuice.  But what do I know?  In the words of Anna Bates (Downton Abbey), there's no accounting for taste.

Snowstorm

     I was ready for the latest snowstorm:

Three for me, one for the birds and squirrels!

Buddy didn't mind the storm:

As long as Mommie's home-I'm good!

My Dad's Praises

     Once again I will sing my Dad's praises.  I saw on the news where a man in Cranford  built an ice luge track in his backyard for his children (you can find it on Youtube).  The news clip shows him spraying water from a shower head onto his creative and well constructed track, and a short time later, the children sledding gleefully.  My Dad did something similar for me more than 50 years ago.  It was in the heart of winter, and his little girl, bored of being in the house, wanted desperately to go ice skating.  In his cleverness, he decided to give me my own personal skating rink, in our back yard!  He brought the hose up from the basement, hooked it up to the outdoor faucet, and sprayed our yard generously with water. A short time later, I skated to my heart's content on the mini rink which was lovingly conceived of in my father's imagination.  What fond memories I have of him!

     This past week was the 50th anniversary of the premier of The Sound of Music.  It was my Dad who took me to see it-twice!  (Even as a child I liked watching movies repeatedly!)  The first time we saw it was at the Rialto Theater in Westfield.  We waited in a line which extended around the block, and were fortunate to have gotten seats.  As the movie started, he leaned over and whispered in my ear to be sure and take notice of the scenery, which was glorious, and unlike anything we had ever seen.  My poor Dad, who barely got out of the city where he was born in all of his 87 years...  Seeing the movie with him was an utter joy, and obviously an occasion I will never forget.  Awhile later, the movie came to the local theater, which was about two blocks from where we lived.  It was a Friday night, and we were driving back from dropping my mother off at bingo, when I saw the movie marquis.  Much to my delight, my Dad parked the car, and took me directly to the theater to see it again!  The second time was as enjoyable as the first.  Perhaps more so, as it was the third time my Dad saw it, and probably not what he intended to do that Friday night, making me all the more appreciative.  It was in his nature to make sacrifices for his children.

     I was compelled to see the movie again this week, to commemorate the momentous anniversary.  The opening scene gives me chills, and to this day brings me to tears, in part because the  scene is so awe inspiring, and also because it always evokes memories of my Dad.  Sometimes I miss him so much that I feel my heart could almost break in two.  Here I am, a woman of almost 60, and I am not over his loss yet, after more than 20 years.  In all honesty, I don't think I ever will be.

My Dad with my oldest son-1983