Greetings friends. Well, we are nearly there: the end of the year (if not the world) is nigh.
Thank Your Lucky Stars
On a more serious note, it’s that time of the year when we take stock, perhaps reflect, thanking our lucky stars. It’s very much a reason for looking back, nostalgia-wise, remembering the good times we had in the past.
Being an old movies ‘buff’, I look back and can recall all those wonderful films we used to see, be they Hollywood musicals, to good old westerns, when the cowboys were either the goodies or the baddies, High Noon and all that stuff.
Right was right and wrong was wrong. Not so these days.
Jimmy and the Summer of ’42
So, it was a pleasure to meet a kindred spirit in Jimmy Emslie of Trafalgar, who must be the top collector in South Africa when it comes to movies, past and present.
I had been on the lookout for a couple of old movies from not so long ago – if 40 years back is classed as recent times.
Jimmy had invited me over to his place to see his collection, some 10 000 classics all told. Actually, I lost count. and even Jimmy is not too sure how many movies he has in his collection.
But he had what I wanted: The Way We Were (1971) and Summer of ’42 (1971), the latter a rarity, and nigh on impossible to find.
And here it was, right under our noses, in Jimmy’s amazing film collection in Trafalgar.
I thought I knew everything on old movies but Jimmy is in a league of his own.
Every movie was superbly catalogued, in its rightful place on the myriad of shelves. Unfortunately for James, he opened the door to an Aladdin’s Cave, and my wanting many an old movie from yesterday on dvd. A case of ‘Play It Again, Sam’.
Walking My Baby Back Home
We arrived back home in Uvongo; that same evening we watched The Way We Were, which had me wallowing in nostalgia.
The world was gentler, a lot less angry, and an innocent quip was not deemed offensive. The movie stars then were just that: movie stars.
It certainly was an era of escapism; we walked our date back home, singing the hit song from the movie to her, even if you weren’t Frank Sinatra.
You were rewarded with a peck on the the cheek, and told goodnight and thank you.
Scant reward for an outlay of 10 shillings, but a promise of better things to come, if her father was not hanging around in the background.
Those were the days… and no Covid to worry about either.
West Side Story: 60 Years On
So, it was with a sense of eager anticipation that the news around town was the re-make of West Side Story now showing at the Shelly.
For many old movie connoisseurs, the original West Side Story (1961) could never be bettered. Sixty years ago, friends. Sixty years!
Now, here’s a thought: what were you doing 60 years ago? How old were we then? Don’t answer that!
Which brings me back to my opening paragraph: keep smiling through: we still have some mileage in us; all the better for West Side Story being around to keep us on our toes!
Guess Who’s Walking Alone?
David Rush, our erstwhile editor-in-chief, approached me a few days back, asking me to ‘write a few words’ for this week’s Herald’.
The proviso being that if Manchester City lose, only 650 words would be suffice, knowing that I would be unbearable to be around. Alternatively, if Manchester City won, a few more words would not be amiss. He does have a way with words.
He knew what was coming: the mighty Manchester City are on top looking down on Rushie’s heroes. Now, now, weep ye not: You’ll never walk alone, t’is said.
Just a quick word to all my readers (all half-dozen), have a happy Christmas and a fabulous New Year.
It’s still a wonderful world, better still if Manchester City win the League, the FA Cup, and Europe, too!
See you, Rob.
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