Still more lazy thoughts from this one…

Posts by le0pard13

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: The Owner (Part 2)

So, what were the lessons gleamed while employed there? Scrimping was a way of life for independents. The economics of the movie theater in the mid-70s hadn’t changed much since the 30s and 40s either. Studios made their money from the box office — and theater owners made theirs from the concession stand.

A Friday Shout-out & Song: Missing You by Dan Fogelberg

It was one of the two new songs assembled onto his Dan Fogelberg – Greatest Hits LP out that year. BTW, that’d be one of the very few platinum albums ever with a cover originally printed on the diagonal. The song has made every compilation, ‘best of’ album released since, and remains a favorite of mine (even over those already mentioned).

Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Brotherhood (Part 1)

By the mid-70s, I needed a steady job to support my endeavor of higher education. Perhaps affording to have money in my pocket for dating purposes, too. Youth and hormones can be mercenary. A college education was something my mother pushed for, and I (the oldest surviving) got that obligación. Now, my younger brother (by a year and eight months) on the other hand sought work foremost.

Reprise: 30 Years Ain’t That Long in Life, or Comedy

Take a look around you. Unsettled or distressing times spawn a push back in people. It’s a natural reaction, especially in this country. Comedy thrives in periods of uncertainty. Hell, we even have a cable channel now dedicated to this style of entertainment. I wonder if that indicates we’re in an ongoing epoch of apprehension? Oh well. I’ve read a number of examinations over the years on what and why comedy does (or doesn’t) work. Two aspects draw me. Jokes, and their telling, can date quickly. What tickles today may fall flat tomorrow. Second, insightful jests can be enough to cut the comedian and/or the audience right down to the core.

Sweet!

I rarely turn down awards — my wife can confirm, if need be. So, it was a more than pleasant surprise when the wonderful Paula of Paula’s Cinema Club gave me a Super Sweet Blogging Award a couple of days ago. To her who I had the pleasure of meeting, like in person…for real, at the TCM Film Fest in April, many thanks!

Reprise – Tales from the (Movie) Theater: Intro

It was at this particular theater that my love of the movies was permanently set in stone. Not only was it the closest of the art deco movie palaces in the vicinity, and the location for many of the dates in my youth, but I would later return to this same theater as an employee. I would do a stint as a projectionist during my concluding days of college.

Friday Forgotten Film: In Harm’s Way

Even when his films began to experience critical and financial failures in the mid-60s, Preminger’s still held your eye and interest. Likely the initial film of these so-called bombs would also be the first of his I actually saw on the big screen at the local movie theater. In Harm’s Way. It’s my contention the film’s forgotten somewhat because it’s not listed among either the director’s or the film’s leading man’s best. That’d be unfair for it was a better drama than given credit, perhaps disregarded because of its war film heritage.