Moses supposes his toeses are roses

[clevermanka]

Today is the 60th anniversary of Singin' In the Rain.

I grew up watching classic movies. This wasn't anything my parents encouraged or discouraged. It just sort of happened. I became besties with a girl in 7th grade who loved old movies and trashy romance novels. I spent hours at her house indulging in one or the other. When she brought both over to my house, I learned pretty quick that one was an acceptable form of entertainment in the eyes of my family and the other was most definitely not. So I started watching a lot of old movies by myself, and continued watching them even after Jami moved away and nobody else would watch them with me.

Old movies shaped my outlook on life in odd ways. I can't say they did much to reinforce gender roles (although I do appreciate having doors opened for me), but they laid a groundwork for my basic sense of style and public manners. Near-daily exposure to some sort of classic film for nearly six years (we had cable, I had time) influenced me in more ways than I recognize, I'm sure.

I wonder if Hastings has Singin' In the Rain available for rent.

Comments

[bluetourmaline.livejournal.com]

I've got it on DVD. It's a great movie, even to encounter at age 26 for the first time.

[tessagratton.livejournal.com]

I love that movie so much. Travis and I used to watch it ALL THE TIME and sing all the songs together. Aww.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Liberty Hall most likely has it!

Mum and I watched those and musicals... lots of musicals together. My love of costume and sparkle came from that I'm sure, along with my desire to become a showgirl ;)

(and Moses supposes erroneously..)

[dotar-sojat.livejournal.com]

You know, when we were young, old movies were on TV all the time. We watched movies and cartoons that were easily 40 years old. Do the kids today do that? I suspect not (not unless they look for it specifically).

I remember one summer of classics, like 1984 or 85: TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE, EL CID, RED SUN, KINGS IN THE SUN, IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT, CASABLANCA. Awesome!

Of course, at the time, I also thought that GODZILLA VS MECHAGODZILLA was awesome...

[nottygypsy.livejournal.com]

I love classics too, especially if they have Cary Grant.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

...and they DID have it! What a charming movie, and I know I'll be singing those tunes for days to come. I wish it were still cool enough to wear vests to work.

PS: We picked it up in THE CHEVELLE. Aw, yeah.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Yay for driving the Chevelle!!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

mckitterick saw it for the first time last night, and loved it!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Charming!

I think, though, that I have become a bad influence on mckitterick. During the flashback scene at the beginning, that tells Don and Cosmo's backstory, mckitterick turned to me and asked if this was a love story between the two of them.

Yes, indeed, slashvision has invaded all members of our household.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

My love of costume and sparkle came from that I'm sure

I bet you're right!

mckitterick posited that my frequent exposure to the surreality of musicals, what with people breaking out into song and dance and that being not only normal but expected, had a huge influence on my love of the ridiculous and acceptance of nonsensical situations in other shows. He used due South as a prime example--because shit happens in that show that just would not happen in real life and it's taken in stride by all the characters.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

The early 80s were an amazing time for classic movie exposure. I think we had two television stations that exclusively broadcast old movies. And of course, video taped movies were finally breaking into the mainstream of Small Town America, and that was a huge boost to classic movie distribution.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

That's an excellent conclusion. One of these days I must watch it.

.. see also "Bollywood"

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

My favorite Cary Grant scene ever:

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

One of these days I must watch it.

Yes. YES YOU MUST. Provided you like cop shows. D'you like cop shows?

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

I like them when they're detective cops, not so much shoot-em-up cops.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

This is definitely a detective cop show.

DAT BADGE.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Cool! Can I jump in anywhere or is it important to start at Season 1, episode 1?

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm a completist, and I think it's important to start at the beginning. This is a heavily character-driven show. Also, who wouldn't want to spend as much time as possible looking at Benton Fraser?

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

:D

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Holy crap. I just spent like ten minutes here (http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/benton-fraser?before=1315130766) after finding the above picture.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

HAHA tumblr is awesome for that.

I read up on the Wiki for the character, and yes, I do think I'd like it. Most of my fave shows are also based in Chicago, I really ought to take Jbird on a trip there, I haven't been in forever.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

MOAR BENTON:



I'll stop now.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

Hee. I'll have to see the show, I think. The static images don't do a lot for me.

[nataliesee.livejournal.com]

Tess introduced me to this movie when we were living in Japan. I feel in love with it instantly and still quote it today.

<3 <3 <3

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Awwww!

[superdaintykate.livejournal.com]

My dream role, were I to ever play on the stage, is Lena Lamont.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Indeed, a very worthy goal.

My dream role is Adelaide from Guys and Dolls. Only I want to be in a production where she and Sarah kick the guys to the curb and run off together.