MENTAL MONTAGE: The Magic of Christmas (Movies)

I have struggled with finding a topic for this week's post, as is probably abundantly clear beings that it is now Saturday. I toyed with the idea of reviewing or paying homage to one of the many Christmas movies that I have watched over the holiday break, but then I thought, "Which one?" There are so many classics: A Miracle on 34th Street (above), A Christmas Story, The Bishop's Wife, Christmas Vacation.... So many timeless gems. In all my viewing, it occurred to me that the only way to ensure that a film become an instant classic is to make it about the most festive and heart-warming of all holidays. This genre never gets old!

I could watch Christmas in Connecticut or one of the many versions of A Christmas Carol (1951 version- above) over and over again... and I do! Every year! Why is that? Why does It's A Wonderful Life continue to enchant me, even when I mouth George Bailey's every word verbatim? Everyone has a favorite film, one that they hold above all others, and which witnesses more wear and tear than the others in his or her collection, but while personal tastes differ, a soft spot for Christmas seems to be something that we all share. Whereas you may have to twist a friend or lover's arm to watch Bridget Jones's Diary or Die Hard for the 100th time, when it hits the end of December, people gather around the TV without protestation, ready to witness the re-telling of a story they know like the back of their hand.


That is perhaps the-- forgive the sentiment-- "magic" of the season. Families and friends spend all year long in separate locations and time zones, surrounded by strangers and work colleagues, and running on the treadmill of the never-ending rat race. The isolation we experience 364 days a year, and our chosen self-absorption, comes to a screeching halt but once a year. We take a vacation from the "daily grind" or the "daily grill, " take a breath, and pause to remember what it is we are rushing around for. Each other. My family is comprised of strong, interesting individuals. We are all off on our own different paths, waging personal battles and tackling different ambitions, but when the annual time comes to re-form our "team," there is a reassurance and strength. The knowledge that you are not alone, is a powerful thing.

While having family gatherings at this time of year presents its own kind of chaos-- family bickering, food malfunctions, social dysfunctions-- at the end of the day, I think we can all take a quiet moment to look at the people around us and find a moment of pride at our roots and the peace that follows. Since many of us (including myself) find trouble communicating our feelings to others, movies do it for us. Gathered before the fire or Christmas tree, watching a faithful Xmas film, we are joined. Whether we are witnessing the story of Scrooge's transformation from a Humbug to a Benefactor, or Ralphie's (above in A Christmas Story) longed for union with his desired bee bee gun, the underlying theme is "family." Whether that family consists of blood relatives or the chosen compatriots you have learned to care for more than yourself, the one gift that everyone seems able to agree on as the most important is that of love.


Bing Crosby finds love with Rosemary Clooney in White Christmas (below), the love of children saves Frosty the Snowman, and Love, Actually actually is all about love and how it tears us apart and pulls us all back together again. We allow ourselves one measly time a year to recognize this fact. One moment to be sentimental without seeming too sensitive, to watch an emotional and evocative film without having to bear the shame of watching a "chick flick." Whether loved ones prefer comedies, actions films, horror films... whether they fail to agree on a movie for movie night all year long, on Christmas the only argument seems to be: "Which should we watch first!?"

So, as the year comes to an end, we pop in a dvd that reminds us of old times and awakens aged memories, and we prepare for a whole new year of life and experience. The good news is, after another exhausting year is spent, we will always have a welcome cinematic embrace to enfold us next December. We have all prepared ourselves to kiss 2009 goodbye, and in a few days we will be kissing 2010 hello. The familiar oldies of film make the passing of time more tolerable, because we can always go back. You can go home again, at least for the holidays, if only for two hours.


I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and I wish you the best for the coming year!!! Keep the movies rolling :)

HISTORY LESSON: Life Before Popcorn

There is something magical about the movie-going experience. The theater has become a second home to many of us. On a weekend or a free night, we go to the nearest cinema, buy a ticket, and sit down with friends in a roomful of strangers. As the trailers begin, tickling us with the prospect of exciting new films to come, the lights darken, the audience hushes, and a rush of adrenaline hits as the awaited feature begins. As the anticipation of a new experience takes hold, all of the many people around us disappear, the sticky floor is forgotten, and we relax into the rickety seats in the theater's womb.

An integral ingredient of the movies is, of course, the candy: the snacks, the soft drinks... From pretzels to hot dogs, it seems that we accumulate more and more choices on which to gorge ourselves these days, and as our wallets get slimmer, our guts... Well, we won't go into that! But the Mother of all movie snacks is, has always been, and always will be, a big bucket of popcorn. In fact, "popcorn" and "movies" have become almost inseparable. Even at home, many of us toss a bag in the microwave to prep ourselves for a laid back DVD night, perhaps to bring us closer to the feeling we receive when watching something on the Big Screen. 

But, popcorn wasn't always around. Hard to imagine, I know, but in the early days, there was no food or drink allowed in the Nickelodeons, the Flicker shows, or the slowly emerging Movie Palaces. Perhaps this is because early movies were so short, running mere minutes to maybe an hour. As films became more grandiose and lengthy-- 2-reelers turning into 8-reelers-- rear-ends started aching and stomachs started rumbling. 

The early compensation for this was to have a meal before going to the theater, knowing full well that one would have to wait awhile before being able to grab a bite. Restaurants and eateries next-door to theaters, therefore, began to do very well. For example, a really busy joint in Hollywood was The Pig 'n' Whistle (above), which still stands today. Before people went next-door to Sid Graumann's Egyptian Theater (left), they would grab some grub and fill their tummies. Hence, "dinner and a movie." The Pig... has an interesting history all its own, feeding the likes of Loretta Young and Judy Garland. And The Egyptian has a claim to fame as being the first theater to officially host a true movie premiere extravaganza, (thanks to Douglas Fairbanks's epic Robin Hood, which literally took over Hollywood).

Sooner or later, theater-owners got smart, deciding to make theaters not only a facility for projecting films, but palaces that provided an "experience." As the structures became more lavish and popular amongst all classes, profiteers started looking for different ways to draw in the public. They began offering contests and raffles, in which lucky patrons would take home a cash prize. People loved it-- for awhile-- but it was more of a gimmick than a movie time ritual. Theater owners decided that they needed a new, reliable way to up the ante. Enter: Popcorn. 

During the Great Depression, popcorn provided a cheap and easy-to-make snack for the hungry nation. The modest "candy stand" appeared outside of theaters, generally manned by a high-schooler, and started earning hundreds of dollars worth of profits. Seeing the monetary potential, theater owners then placed concession stands inside their theaters, offering a wider variety of candy choices. Popcorn, at this point, was still located only at neighboring confectioneries or wagons strategically placed outside, but finally, at the end of the 1930s, popcorn stands found their way into theater lobbies as well.


The addiction was quick. Not only did the buttery scent of popcorn permeate the theater, where waiting patrons' mouths began to water, but the snack was much less expensive than the other candy selections. During the depression, movie-goers started foregoing chocolate for the more affordable, salty bags of popped decadence. Theater owners made a mint, for they could buy the kernels in bulk, saving money and thus making their money back a hundred fold. The big boom in popcorn sales even made corn a "cash crop" for farmers!!! It was everywhere, in every theater, and by WWII it was THE movie staple, never to be topped.


With the addition of air-conditioning, the movie theater became a lavish home away from home! Comfortable temperatures, food, entertainment... What more could a saddened country in the midst of war ask for? One ticket bought you an all day seat, and soon, stopping for popcorn in the lobby before or between features became second nature. 

So here we are, 70 years later, and nothing satisfies our taste-buds at movie time like ol' faithful. Next time you buy a bag, be sure to think about how such a simple thing has provided such pleasure to so many people, through good times and bad. We take it for granted, because it has solidified itself as one of our most cherished traditions, but the impact of popcorn on our culture is more complicated than we realize. So, savor the flavor of one of the things that makes the movies so much sweeter. "Let's all go to the Loooobby!"

I WAS TAGGED: Over The Top Blog Award

Many thanks to the fabulous Emma Wallace for tagging me with the "Over the Top Blog" award. As a result, I answered the following questions, being allowed one word only:


1. Where is your phone? Desk

2. Your hair? Blonde

3. Your Mother? Warrior

4. Your Father? Humorous 
5. Your favorite food? Thai

6. Your dream last night? Forgotten

7. Your favorite drink? Latte 
8. Your dream/goal? Artistry

9. What room are you in? Office

10. Your hobby? Reading

11. Your fear? Drowning

(12. is missing)

13. Where were you last night? Club!

14. Something that you’re not? Judgmental 
15. Muffins? Blueberry 
16. Wish list item? Movies

17. Where did you grow up? Cincinnati

18. Last thing you did? Audition!!!

19. What are you wearing? Comfy

20. Your TV? BFF

21. Your pets? Nope

22. Friends? Delightful!

23. Your life? Chaos!!!!

24. Your mood? Cheerful

25. Missing someone? Sis

26. Vehicle? Rosebud

27. Something you’re not wearing? Watch

28. Your favorite store? Amazon.com 
29. Your Favorite color? Purple 
30. When was the last time you laughed? Minutes

31. The last time you cried? Weeks

32. Your best friend? Hale

33. One place that I go to over and over? Panera! :) 
34. Facebook? Totes

35. Favorite place to eat? Parents'

And here are my top choices for the same award:

• The Aesthetic Omnivore
• Blonde Episodes  
• Cinema Du Meep 
• Movietone News 
• Flying Down to Hollywood 
• Living on Velvet 
• Noodle in a Haystack 
• Silents and Talkies 
• Bygone Brilliance
  
• Hollywood Dreamland
• Tertulias
  

Trust me, I wish I could have chosen more. Have a great weekend!!! 

STAR OF THE MONTH: Vivien Leigh

It's that time again! Another month, another fantastic artist to be celebrated! This month is dedicated to Vivien Leigh, the woman who will be forever known as Scarlett O'Hara, but who possessed within herself the grace, power and dignity of multiple characters-- none of whom were more fascinating than herself.

A woman of great contradiction and determination, Vivien was born in India, raised in England, and remembered as a Southern Belle. She liked to toss back a gin and tonic with the boys and curse like a sailor, but always carried herself with grace and demanded that she be treated like a lady. One of the most gorgeous women to grace the silver screen, she actually despised the words "Beautiful" and "Pretty." She was loving, caring and gracious to all of her friends, but she possessed within her a hunger for personal fulfillment and success, which did not include the trappings of fame but the simple ability to work on her craft. A spitfire, Vivien always got what she wanted, including the role of Scarlett O'Hara, which was a long-shot for any actress, let alone an unknown, English one. It seemed that there was no battle that she could not win!

Sadly, the true "battle" Vivien was constantly waging took place within. The manifestation of her latent Bi-Polar Disorder did much to rupture an already complex and contradictory human being and nearly tore her apart from the inside out, as well as endangering her personal and professional relationships. As she grew older, Vivien's nerves and emotions were out of control, tugging her violently back and forth between moments of hysterical anger and fits of obsessive sobbing. She suffered from insomnia and used to slap her beloved, and startled, Laurence Olivier awake in the middle of the night. Even on film sets, Vivien, the consummate professional and perfectionist, was sometimes unable to control her manic vacillations, and would lash out irrationally at co-stars, crew members, and the all-mighty directors she worked with. When the dark cloud in her eyes lifted, she would supplicate herself before her victims, ashamed and embarrassed at her behaviors, which she was unfortunately unable to control. Her deep grief and apologies touched those around her and made it impossible for them to refuse her forgiveness. Many would remark on her great courage and lack of self-pity. Vivien, in her later life, would go in for her regular ECT treatments, which left burn marks on her temples, and still go onstage at night for a performance. She refused to lie down and die. She battled her demons constantly, and-- though she died young of a tubercular infection-- I believe she conquered them.

Many remark today that she is overrated, perhaps because they remember her only for her two most famous roles, Scarlett and Blanche DuBois, both of which garnered her Academy Awards. Perhaps she is under-appreciated because some of her best work was on the London stage, which we obviously cannot appreciate now. Perhaps her talent, as it was in her lifetime, remains overshadowed by the legendary talents of her 2nd husband, Mr. Olivier, against whom any would pale in comparison. Finally, it may be that her acting style seems outmoded after the emergence of the Method actors, who elevated film acting to a whole new level, as Vivien and her Larry Boy had done a generation before. This is truly criminal, for Vivien remains the most fascinating part of any film she appeared in, even when the ravages of her mental and physical illnesses were apparent. She always possessed a great stillness that bottled a raging inner passion. In her eyes, one can see the wheels spinning, the emotions forever swimming. In watching Viv, it is the little things that make her power enormous. From Gone with the Wind, to That Hamilton Woman, to Ship of Fools, she remains a force to be reckoned with. So, don't fight it! Just sit back and enjoy!!!

Happy December!!!