THE CLASSICS for Today (part 1)

By: Dan Jones

Why do we end our day before the television? Why is a first date so much easier in a theater? What is it that makes movies so magical?

It's the faces, the places, the tones and tunes – movies mesmerize and teach. There's another world beyond ours. A world of fables, legends, striking stories, the CINEMA!

Wars, politics, religious beliefs and traditions. The raunchy, the nasty and the sweet kiss. Hold on for the gore, brace yourself to take flight. Your heart breaks for the lonely soul who's unraveled. Or maybe the situation was more personal, and the scene hit where it hurts. You'll cry, alone, when everyone's asleep.

Fade out, dissolve. We're still here. We're still watching. We'll always be watching. "The End" appears as a final message, to go on with our day; and we obey.

Exit (stage left/right), go home, and remember or forget the motion picture. Either way, it did happen. You witnessed every emotion, every bad decision. Possibly, similar moments will occur in the next picture; and more pictures will come, willing to be scrutinized or adored.

Ideas materialized, scripts were written, storyboards laid it all out, and cameras rolled. How lucky we are to be a part of any story. There were times when we could have been more enthusiastic. We could have been supportive the whole way through. Most of the time, we are, though, aren't we? They appreciate us buying the ticket, don't they? And we'll come again. Just, please, give us something fresh.

The classics.

The classics are in the past, but they are not gone. Forgotten? Well, some I'd say are. Some are lost. Those who search the archives know the importance of the quest. Ancestors do pass away and never see the showing of a rare find, but someone will. Grandchildren respect history. They must.

In fact, more should inherit the beginning. Therefore, for the sake of simplifying philosophical topics, start with movies. Because history sneaks in. Some is leaked, some is obscure, much is skewed; but it's a start. The films of yesteryears represent the times, regardless of the finished product's impact on society.

So start at the beginning. A classic.

A baby with a bottle should be watching Mickey Rooney and "The Thin Man" in the afternoon. Young adults, find the time to study (or observe) every film shown during Oscar month. Teenagers, view and dance to the silent films (play any music you like). The family should gather around a TV set shining the creepier films during Halloween. Elders, the adults, who remember "It's a Wonderful Life" or "An Affair to Remember," need to see what else is out there. And you movie snobs have catching up to do. They've been cleaning and rereleasing the underdogs and poorly marketed movies. Some of the best were forgotten, but no more. We restore and prosper by bringing out the best of what once was.

The folks of the 20th century were pioneers. American cinema was setting the stage for the future of the world. John Wayne, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Charlton Heston weren't just talent, or lookers, or devices, but were setting the mold. We'll absolutely break that mold. We have. Reshaping and cracking fossils is dangerous, but good for us, for our freedom. We're learning from the mistakes.

But you have to see a classic to believe its power. Watch the camera make a desperate move. Listen to the quiet hiss. Larger than life were the heroes we are still afraid to be. The proud and beautiful dressed to the occasion, and what swell occasions – balls, operas, picnics near ponds. Scenery may be nothing more than a painted backdrop inside a soundstage or a projected street behind the drivers in the car, but those were the resources of the times. Every scene flickered with wonder.

Thank you, our guides, for inspiring hope. There truly is a place we can visit or invent. The fantasies of the big screens have been brought to life. Thanks, to our predecessors, Hollywood legends. We'll try our damndest to continue the tradition of making dreams come true.

Ladies and gentlemen, take some time to look back; because the movies before us shouldn't be past.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Turner Classic Movies (8 p.m. is their primetime selections like any other channel/they often premier films that haven't been shown since their original release date)
• Netflix (or other movie-mailing companies which have immense libraries)
  
• Movie channels from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. (may have to set the VCR, DVR, recordable DVD player, or something else with three letters to record)
  
• Showings at local theaters

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