Flashback Friday - Let's Go to the Movies!

What movies were popular when you were growing up? Did you go to the movies very frequently? Do you remember what was the first movie you ever saw? What is your favorite genre of movies? What were your favorites then, and have they withstood the test of time? Do you have any particular memories associated with movies? Was buying snacks a regular part of the movie experience? What was your favorite movie snack? Have you ever been in a movie or seen one being filmed?

The first movie that I remember seeing in the theater was The Sound of Music. The main thing I remember was the fact that there was an intermission. But I was pretty young; it came out in 1965, the year I turned four. (I doubt we saw it immediately, so I may have been five when we went.) But I made up for it by seeing it a kabillion times. I quit counting how many times I'd seen it about the time I hit 30 viewings and it came out on video. It was the only movie that I got to miss Sunday night church when it was on TV, about once a year. I've owned the video, the DVD, and they just announced it will be released on Blu-Ray in November! (And of course, we had the soundtrack album!)

Mary Poppins was another favorite of mine, although I don't remember the first time I saw it. (It came out in 1964.) We had the soundtrack record, and I remember listening to it over and over. It is still one of my favorite movies. All those special effects and animations are incredible - much more impressive seeing those than what they do today, because there were no computers then! I do remember being a bit scared a couple of times, when Jane & Michael caused a run on the bank and went running through the dark alley, and also at the meeting where Mr. Banks was fired (the room was dark and they did all those mean things to him!) I can't believe it's not out on Blu-Ray yet.

I was ten when Fiddler on the Roof came out in 1971. It was at a theater that we rarely went to, and I remember it absolutely pouring that day. (Strange, the things that stick in one's mind!) It's still a favorite of mine as well.

And yes, anti-musical Lid, I do like movies that aren't musicals!

One year the theater closest to us had special Saturday afternoon showings of a different older movie each week for about six weeks. The one that stands out is The Secret Garden. I hadn't been able to make myself read the book; the fact that Mary Lennox's parents died on the first page was too depressing. But I fell in love with the story watching the movie and read the book multiple times after that. That version of the movie would have been made in 1949; it was mostly in black and white, but when they got the garden cleaned up, the garden was in Technicolor. That was a really neat effect.

Oh, I almost forgot about Benji! Besides being such a cute movie, it was filmed in a little town north of Dallas where many of my relatives live. None of them were in it, but my aunt's mailman had a cameo appearance!

Then there are the movies I saw in high school, most of them on dates, and they bring back fun memories.. And even though most are not musicals, the ones that stand out are the ones with great theme songs, which is why this flashback had to follow right after last week's! My first date when I was 16 was You Light Up My Life. Loved, loved, loved Debbie Boone singing that song!


Then there was Rocky. That was a classic. (Except it grossed me out when he drank the raw eggs!) I loved the theme song and the training sequence, especially the part at the meat market and when he runs up those steps! And the way he said, "Yo, Adrian!"



I don't remember a whole lot about the movie itself, but I loved the theme of The Spy Who Loved Me by Carly Simon. (File under songs like Afternoon Delight!)



And I can't leave off Grease - the High School Musical of the 1970's! I'm a bit taken aback by its sleaze factor now, but it sure was a fun movie with great music!



The only time I've ever walked out of a movie was when I was in high school. I don't even remember the name of it, but about 5 minutes into it there was something about two girls "liking" each other. That was way back in 1978 or 1979. My boyfriend and I looked at each other and said, "Let's go!" Now as a mom, I'm so proud of my 17-year-old self!

Another classic I loved was Camelot, which I saw for the first time in college. I loved the soundtrack with Julie Andrews as Guinevere. When my man and I were dating, we saw it live when Richard Harris was touring. But it kills me to watch it or hear the songs now - such heartache.



I'm sure I've forgotten some, but this is already too long. Oh, I almost forgot Ice Castles from my high school days. Such a sweet movie and a beautiful song. And a cute Robby Benson! (Back when skating costumes were modest!)



(I didn't realize they did a remake of that this year, with Christian artist Britt Nicole singing the theme song.)

Okay, that's absolutely the last one! Post your movie memories and link up here!