Thinking we probably already saw them when we were younger, we seniors (and soon-to-be seniors) seldom rent movies from our youth. Big mistake. We were so young and innocent in those days (at least I was), that we missed the subtle, yet very much present sexual relationships and motives that often were vital to the plots.
Our purity was protected by the infamous Hays Office, the movie industry’s censor, but its long list of rules strangled the American cinema. For example: always twin beds, no filthy words like “pregnant,” no two people in one bed; on one bed was possible if they were dressed and one foot was on the floor!
The directors, however, were creative: a clothed couple in a motel room, she puts on an earring while he puts on his tie. Adults knew what they’d been up to, but America’s youth was shielded from scenes of sin.
Gays were the swishy clerk or snooty waiter; any gay who was masculine was a child molester or some such fiend destined for suicide or hanging. Lesbians got no better treatment from brutal women’s prison guards to the subtler passion of the housekeeper in Rebecca (fondling the mistress’ undies!).
Rent the classic Laura or watch the two killers in Rope, a rare Hitchcock gem; the deviant relationship was not subtle enough, so theaters were reluctant to show it. And don’t forget The Children’s Hour (1961 Shirley McLaine and Audrey Hepburn) a lesbian-themed film in which the word was never spoken only implied by whispers, sneers and arched eye-brows.
All in all, these are still great films; the faults are a sign of the time. Re-view the classic masterpieces of the past and with your senior eyes giving you a new perspective, you’ll be amazed at what you missed.
An incredible organ, that’s full of delight
The delights of the past are now out of reach for many of us; only those with money can still have their pick of the available opportunities. Many of us have not ended up as we had planned either through unfortunate investments, the hoped-for marriage of a grasshopper with an ant didn’t happen or just plain bad luck.
No matter, to enjoy an occasional fling the result is the same: penny-pinching. Adjusting our lifestyle to be in line with our finances includes paying attention to the sales, coupons, the day-old shelf, weekly bargains, half-price tickets, etc. All in all we make do. Sometimes it becomes fun when we luck out on a particularly spectacular bargain and feel we have beaten the system.
As residents of San Diego one of these bargains is the wonderful summer musical programs in the Spreckel’s Pavilion in Balboa Park where you will find a great variety of excellent musical programs and they are free. Check their schedule at sosorgan.org
Often the event is an organ concert. I know many of you associate organs with churches and roller rinks, but I assure you there is more and the organ in the park is one of the biggest and the best.
Face it; the wild nights of the past are passed, but many an enjoyable, but quieter time is still yours. Call some friends, get out of the house, share a dinner together (bring the coupons) and then hit the park (bring a jacket).
