I can actually say I watched the
original “Star Wars” movie at the Weddington Theater in Pikeville, Kentucky, in
late May of 1977. I am sure my
children, who are anxiously awaiting the release of the newest movie in what is
now the third trilogy, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” must think I am ancient!
I probably am.
That movie was released at a good
time for my family. In
April of that year, our home was swept away in a horrific flood. We lost all of our family pictures,
home movies…and everything else we possessed, and we were living in a mobile
home provided to us by HUD.
But, for that one night, we were
immersed in battle with the Rebel Alliance against the Galactic Empire and
their terrifying space station, the “Death Star.” I so wanted to be like Princess Leia, and of course my
brothers wanted to be Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. And, for a few years following the movie, their bedroom paid
homage to the film. There were
Star Wars curtains, blankets, lightsabers, and toys everywhere!
Some of the items were quite scary to see at night. Can you say “Chewbacca?”
What is making me so nostalgic
you ask? Well, I watched a trailer
for a movie remake that will hit theaters this year, “Poltergeist.” I simply could not believe the movie
was old enough to have a remake.
But, I saw this movie when I was dating my first husband, in 1982. That was almost 33 years ago. #ThatCannotBeRight
And, I freakin’ LOVED this
movie! But, my experience watching
this movie was most likely scarier than most. Why? Because we
were watching the movie at the Huntington Mall in West Virginia and a tornado
came through. It knocked the power
out in the theater, and the theater went black during the “clown under the bed”
scene. I just about peed my
pants! And yes, I screamed like
the girl I was! And, no, there
were no cellphones back then to light up the place. Of course, when you actually need the guy who kept walking
through with the flashlight to make sure you weren’t smuggling in food, he was
nowhere to be found!
When the movie came back on, my
heart was racing out of my chest.
There was no way I could finish the movie at that point, or so I
thought. We started to exit the
theater, and I kept watching the Freeling family search for Carol Anne, as I was walking out.
We decided to sit in the back row and watch a few more minutes, just to
make sure Carol Anne was ok. But,
she wasn’t, and that was all it took to reel us back in. I was so glad we stayed. And, the whole experience gave new
meaning to the phrase, “Go into the Light, there is peace and serenity in the
light.” There was almost no light
for Carol Anne to walk into.
I watched the trailer for the new
“Poltergeist” movie, and the first thing I noticed was cellphones. Technology will most likely add a whole
new edge. Just think, with
the new 3D TVs out, Carol Anne shouldn’t have an issue with a fuzzy screen. And, the messages from the dead should
come through loud and clear!
Hopefully, this Freeling family will have surround sound!
After watching the “Poltergeist”
trailer, I began to think about all of the remakes that have been coming out
lately. And, it made me think
about some of the remakes of great movies I watched as a young woman. They were new to me because I was too
young to remember the originals.
One such movie is “Cape Fear.” When I saw “Cape Fear” in 1991, I
remember thinking, “It’s hard to believe the original movie was made in 1962…two
years before I was even born. That
was a long time ago!” But, it was
actually only 29 years earlier. That
wasn’t even as many years as there is between the “Poltergeist” movies.
So, to see all of the movie
remakes coming out lately and knowing I watched the originals when I was a
young adult, really makes me feel my age.
“Ghostbusters” is even being remade. Has it been that long since we heard Ray Parker, Jr., sing, “Who
ya gonna call?“
And, was it really that long ago
that we heard Sissy Spacek ask, “Why didn’t you tell me momma?”
I guess it was.
Time goes by so fast
anymore. I fear closing my eyes
and hearing the remake of “Fifty Shades of Grey” is coming out. But, for now, I am not too old to
consider watching the original on Valentine’s Day! #UhOh
May your hot flashes be mild and your wrinkles even milder!
Kim York
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