Michelle Miles: A Bit of Nostaglia

I grew up with two movie-buff parents. In fact, my parents met at the drive-in theater back in the 1950s. My dad ran the projector and my mom worked the concession stand. Doesn’t that sound like something right out of a 1950s black-and-white romance? They were married in 1955. From what I hear, that was a very good year.

So I guess it should come as no surprise to anyone that I’m a huge movie fan. I love movies. From the old to the new, classics to current blockbusters. Musicals, dramas, romantic comedies, chick flicks, kid’s movies, science fiction. You name it.

My childhood consisted of John Wayne’s westerns and war movies (Big Jake, The Fighting Seabees) because that’s what Dad liked. But it also consisted of those classic dramas (Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Gone With The Wind, Random Harvest) as well as musicals (The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, On The Town, Royal Wedding, oh I could go on!) because that’s what Mom liked.

It all carried over into my adulthood. I can

remember movie lines without thinking. I’ve learned the fine art of using them in everyday conversation. People who know me well and are paying attention will realize this. It’s an art. ;) I can rattle off actors names and what movies they were in. But in my old age, this is becoming more difficult. So my secret weapon is IMDB, either online or the app.

I discovered not long ago my local library has quite a large DVD collection. Imagine my surprise! I found several Alfred Hitchcock movies on the shelf and checked them out. The best part was it was for free! Can’t beat that with a stick. I carried home Rear Window and North by Northwest. Husband hadn’t seen either.

These are not like the movies made today. They’re not “in your face” with explosions and people shooting each other every ten seconds or throwing f-bombs around. These are “thinking” movies. Suspenseful thrillers that make you pay attention. Kind of like Sixth Sense with an ending I never saw coming.

I think he enjoyed the movies. At least he seemed to. When I can get back to the library, I intend to look for Vertigo and The Man Who Knew Too Much. I think he’ll like these too.

Some of my other favorite (old) movies include Gone With The Wind, The Quiet Man, Ben Hur (actually, anything with Charleton Heston is a winner in my book!). What about you? Are you an “old movie buff” and what are some of your faves?