I have a long standing love affair with old films. The color or lack there of, the vernacular, the characters, story, and fashion, all absolutely swoon worthy. Not to mention their other worldly feel that transports you from everything current, to a time past; one that feels a little more honest. The fact that so many of them also burst into song and dance (or shockingly bad fight scenes) at any given moment is half the fun. One could argue that most of the scenarios are cheesy or unrealistic, but isn’t that what cinema is for?
What I wouldn’t give to be wooed by Sean Connery as James Bond (I am a sucker for accents and would melt like a popsicle on the 4th of July), dance with Fred Astaire or sing with Bing Crosby. Men back then, so smooth and refined am I right? I mean sure, Bond was a total player but he was JAMES BOND, you can look past his transgressions.
My love of old movies started when I was little and I couldn’t sleep, I would lie on the sofa, late at night, with Fred Astaire singing and dancing my wildest dreams into reality. Daddy Long Legs, Royal Wedding, Easter Parade, Funny Face, Holiday Inn, Top Hat, and Swing Time, all favorites.
The subject line always led to Fred getting the girl (the much younger girl), though there may be some concern along the way, final credits would roll with a feeling of “happily ever after” as the couple danced into the sunset.
The ideas, though old fashioned, are devilishly romantic; full of life and whimsy. Like that moment in Funny Face between Astaire and Audrey Hepburn-
“What was that for!?” she asked.
“Empathy… I put my self in your place and I felt you wanted to be kissed.”
I mean, come on.
To this day, the instant I put on an old movie a feeling of contented joy washes over me. They are like mac n’ cheese, totally comforting, age transcendent, and seemingly effortless no matter the style (this mac n cheese is the James Bond of the mac n’cheese world). So go ahead, wrap up in your favorite blanket, snuggle into the sofa, and melt into a world of celluloid and good old fashioned, black and white, romance.
xx
