Steve Crook wrote:
>
> In fact at one of them someone asked the killer question "Why do
> the people here like Powell (& Pressburger) films?" so I thought
> I'd ask you lot. We went around the room all giving a varied but
> interesting set of answers.
>
I was born March, 1940. My Aunt owned a Movie
Theater in what is called Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. Before
TV we hung out, especially on Saturday and Sunday
mornings to see the adventures, serials, and, in
living color, the tales of wonderful heroes. I
remember arguing which Pimpernel was more elusive. I
favored David N. over Leslie. I remember thinking how
grand was heaven, and, of course, seating would be by
friendships. I was even supportive of flirting in
heaven, although Margaret Mary O'Brien thought me a
heretic. I did not believe color was earthbound and
heaven black and white, but the tear on the rose only
proved my point. I remember the great excitement I
shared about the Thief, who seemed about my age. The
kids in the gang down the street were wearing black
leather jackets, and I imagined how to aim the magic
cross bow to end their bully tactics. I was able to
see Col. Blimp on NY city television, and felt there
was more to the story. The DVD delights.
I never liked the Red Shoes. Maybe because I've
never identified with Anton. Plus, I've always felt
distanced from the young lovers whose passion for art
kept them apart. But then, where is tragedy, if they
chose ordinary romance. "I Know Where I'm Going"
came to me through you all. Thanks for yet another
tale about some of the truths we seem in a rush to
ignore.
I don't know if PnP and the other Archers are
appreciated by others because of their images that
came before high school days. For me they
consistently have rung true to my own archetypes
Further reflections:
One further personal history. My Aunt did not
have the income to schedule first run movies from 1945
until she sold the movie house in 1957. So we always
had third or fourth run movies. In a village of
12,000 people during pre and early TV days, that was
enough for a $2 ticket and a chance to win a complete
setting of dinnerware. We even enjoyed the return of
favorites. As you say, we could enjoy them, and only
later realize the themes and creators were British.
Not bad for a predominately immigrant factory worker
village that publically voiced mistrust of the English
throughout my childhood. Prejudice had to give way to
the better, artistic nature of our souls.
Tom Elliott
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