December 20, 1998
Old Movies
Approximately 15 inches from my left elbow is "It's a Wonderful Life" on my television. I've never seen this movie in my entire life. Considering how often they show it, this might seem impossible, but remember who's writing this. My life is just a series of ironies and contradictions to established fact that enable me to write these Diogenes mailings.
Even though I haven't seen this movie totally beforehand, I still like it. The film as a rich story line and the characters engross me. I dread the commercial breaks not because I hate the utter saccharine sap of the consumer culture, but because I want to continue with the tale of George Bailey of Bedford Falls. And then, there is the happy ending. I guess I really like these, perhaps because of the glimmer of hope it gives me.
Now, what's scary is that there are some people who would simply refuse to watch this movie. Why? Because it's an old movie. It's in black and white; the major roles are played by people who are dead. My parents and grandparents watched it. I'm sorry, but these are rather pathetic excuses.
If a person doesn't like old movies, then that means they must like new movies. Now, a classic-hater might rave on about "Titanic," but twenty years from now, it will be old. Either the person must hate it or be hypocritical and like this "old" movie. Either way, the argument doesn't stand.
Now, some people prefer color over grayscale. I don't mind this, but it doesn't mean one is necessarily better than the other. According to the belief of classic-haters, color-blind people only see bad and ugly things. They never really see how beautiful things really are. I have problems with this belief. People also claim that color is more sensually-stimulating. Anyone who has watched "Schindler's List" knows how powerful that movie is. If it had been made in color, I don't even want to imagine the greater strain it would supposedly inflict on me. Black and white can have just as great an effect as color. . . if treated right.
Now, if dead actors aren't any good. . . then I can safely say that Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Martin Luther King, and Jesus Christ are all assholes as well and should be ignored. Enough said?
And aren't we supposed to learn from our elders?
My point is that classic movies are good. Some do suck, but others are remarkable. Just give them a chance. Over the holidays, snuggle up in front of the cathode-ray tube and watch some classics like "Casablanca," "Citizen Kane," "A Night to Remember," "Duck Soup," "A Miracle on 34th Street." They might be worth the dollar rental (new releases far more expensive).