I first began writing blogs seventeen years ago, and not by choice. When we arrived in NYC, I was informed that part of my job was to produce a new blog every week. Fair enough, except that I had never done that before and, thus, wasn’t sure precisely what topics to address in blogs. So, I asked the people who told me to create them, “What do I write about?” Their answer? “Anything. Religion. Non-religion. Society at large. Your favorite restaurant. Anything. Just turn out one a week.” What? Blogs are to be about … anything? Okay – then that’s what I’m going to do this week. Let’s think about movies for the summer.
If you’re old enough, you remember a line from The Lovin’ Spoonful: “It makes you feel happy like an old-time movie.” Yeah, old-time movies have that capacity. I recently began a movie-inspired walk down Memory Lane. I really didn’t intend to. I simply happened across one of my favorite movies from years and years ago, watched it, and remembered why I had loved it so much back in the day. That led me to look up another of the old faves. Now I’m on a roll, determined to revisit a number of films that once upon a time entertained, or inspired, or enlightened me in ways a little above and beyond the norm.
So far I’ve seen Field of Dreams (probably my all-time favorite movie – I watch it about once a year), Goodbye Columbus, Phillip Marlowe, and Night of the Living Dead (the original that was done in black and white). Where do I go from here?
There are so many that once upon a time made me go back to the theater to watch them over again – some of them, multiple times. The Graduate. The Sting. Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein. I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen each of those films, but it doesn’t matter. They’re classics! So, each of them is on my summer list.
Love Story is a Yes for summer. Up till it came out, I usually opted for Roy Rogers, Tarzan, or the Cisco Kid rather than romance. But Love Story changed that. Its portrayal of love, loss, and bridging human gaps was beautifully done. I’m looking forward to rewatching.
I was always a big George Segal fan, so a handful of his movies are on my summer list: Blume in Love and A Touch of Class, to be sure. If I have a chance, maybe The Black Bird, The Owl and the Pussycat, and No Way to Treat a Lady, as well. I know I’m leaving out other Segal classics, but summer only lasts so long.
Wait Until Dark is a definite Yes. Audrey Hepburn and Richard Crenna were indescribably good in that one. No matter how many times I see it (and there have been many), I’m always on the edge of my seat. Barefoot in the Park and Breakfast at Tiffany’s? Yes and Yes. Singing in the Rain, An American in Paris, and Gigi? Yes, Probably, and Maybe (in that order). The Odd Couple, M.A.S.H., and Rear Window are definite Maybes. They’re all great films, but you’ve got to prioritize.
Jaws is pretty much a sure thing. The first time I saw it was in a theater in Lincolnton with a family friend. I had never heard screams in a movie theater before. They were well deserved. I might rewatch Bonnie and Clyde. Not quite sure yet. I keep telling myself I shouldn’t enjoy it, but every time I watch it I do. The Goodbye Girl is a Yes. I never tire of that one. Animal Crackers is also Yes – if for no other reason than to watch Groucho Marx as Captain Jeffrey T. Spaulding sing “Hello, I Must Be Going.”
One of my favorite movies ever (not quite up there with Field of Dreams, but still a film I dearly loved once upon a time) was King of Hearts starring Alan Bates. It came out in 1966 when the Viet Nam War was at full throttle. It made you question the rationality of war as an institution, and the old, powerful men who decide to wage wars by sending younger and not so powerful people off to fight and die in them. Our perceptions were turned upside down by King of Hearts, where the residents of a mental asylum appeared far more sane than the madness of the WWI world beyond its gates. Maybe everybody ought to watch that one nowadays.
There’s no such thing as a bad Pink Panther movie with Peter Sellers. Some of them have to be part of my summer plans. I used to be a big Woody Allen fan. But now I’m torn. Can I separate the person from the artist? Do I refuse to watch Annie Hall, Broadway Danny Rose, Play It Again, Sam, and Sleeper? Or, do I allow those enjoyable works of cinematic art to stand on their own despite allegations about the one who made them?
As soon as I quit typing, I’ll think of dozens more. There are wonderful Tom Hanks movies and Denzel Washington movies and Judy Holliday movies and Astaire/Rogers movies. And, there’s Kissin’ Cousins. Okay, it’s not high theater. But, it’s Elvis. I’m southern. I liked Elvis. Even as I type, I’m thinking of others. That’s okay. My summer list is fluid. There’s no way I can fit them all in, of course … at least, probably not. I have a family, including a daughter who’s getting married this year. And a seasonal church that requires sermons to be written. And a class to teach. And a publishing deadline, as well. Plus, seventeen years ago I made a commitment to write a blog every week. As I mentioned earlier, summer only lasts so long. Still, Memory Lane is a refreshing place to travel if you choose the right companions for the stroll, people like Meryl Streep, Cary Grant, or Sidney Poitier. And, of course, there’s the popcorn! So, what does all this have to do with theology or spirituality (my usual topics for blogs)? Maybe not much. But, the films I love bring me senses of joy and peace. And those emotions are essentially pretty religious things.