The Picture Show

I love going to the movies, or as my dear friend says, the picture show. As a kid, we didn't go to the movies very much. I remember as a very young child going to the Skyway Twin drive-in movie, in my pajamas, and seeing "Song of the South". The "Ghost and Mr. Chicken" was showing on the other screen. I recall having a hard time concentrating on my Disney movie with Don Knotts on the other screen. I also saw "101 Dalmations" and "The Aristocats" at the drive-in.

We did manage to twist my dad's arm enough to see "The Apple Dumpling Gang" at the Palace Theatre in downtown Bryan. The last movie I saw at a movie theatre with my mom, dad and brother was "9 to 5". Good times.

The first time I remember falling in love with a move was when I saw "Gone With the Wind" on the big screen. It was re-released to movie theatres when I was around 8 or 9 years old. Our neighbors invited me to go with them. I was just excited to get to go to the movies and to be there with my friend Susan. I had now idea what was in store. From the opening scene to "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn" I was enthralled. I loved everything about Scarlett . . . she was so beautiful. And her clothes, oh my! And, then there was Rhett . . . what a scoundral, but a very good looking scoundral. I still love this movie. However, there is nothing like seeing it on the big screen.

I have always especially liked old black and white movies. I check Turner Classic Movies on the tv guide each week to see what oldie, but goodie might be showing. Some of my favorites are: "Bringing Up Baby", "The Philadelphia Story" and just about anything by Alfred Hitchcock.

It is still a treat to go to the movies. When my beloved and I first started dating, we saw just about every movie that came out. After all, there wasn't much for teenagers on a date to do in this town then. Then, as we got older and eventually married, we didn't go to the movies much. But, when my boy and girl came along and got old enough, I had movie dates again. My boy's very first movie theatre experience was seeing "Beauty and the Beast". My girl's was "Toy Story".

Now, of course, they are much too busy (and cool) to go to the picture show with their broken down old mother. Guess I will need to find a new movie buddy.