A Christmas Story

Posted on December 25, 2008 by moonbridgebooks

I have just discovered that the movie A Christmas Story, set in the 1940’s Midwest, celebrated its 25th anniversary last month and, of course, is still going strong as arguably THE Christmas movie we can most relate to. The movie attracts not only those in my middle-age group who grew up with the big snowsuits, the bullies, the boss-of-the-family dad and the deferring stay-home mom, but younger folks who relate because who doesn’t have a quirky, imperfect family (or at least some crazy relatives). For many, the holidays just aren’t Norman Rockwell, and The Christmas Story makes us laugh and feel better about our own shortcomings. Turkey or Peking duck, Auntie’s wonderful or weird present, we enjoy Christmas in our own (sometimes very “special”) way.

The original house where The Christmas Story was filmed is now a museum in Cleveland Ohio. The website features a lot of trivia, photos of the actors now (Peter Parker, Scut Farkus, and others, but not Ralphie), memories of those involved in the movie. Click here to see a video clip of the 25th anniversary weekend, November 18, 2008.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com

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Old Time Holiday Films

Posted on December 21, 2008 by moonbridgebooks

Do you love those old films of holiday time: White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, It’s A Wonderful Life. Even 1983’s crazy A Christmas Story, set in the 1940’s, holds a special place in our hearts… “you’ll shoot your eye out!” I also love the films from my own childhood in the 60s, especially Rudolph which I remember seeing for the first time in color when I was maybe seven years old. My sister and I had gas-station blow-up reindeer we made prance around. Each year now I have to get out the tape my sister bought me of film shorts of Suzy Snowflake, an ancient cartoon Frosty the Snowman (what a hoot!), and Hard Rock, Cocoa and (low voice) Joe. Now you, too, can see them on YouTube! These Chicagoland film shorts seem to accompany Norelco shaving commercials where an electric razor whizzes down a snowy slope – did I remember that right?!

Brian Kavanaugh, film producer and author of British mystery books, has posted a beautifully old-fashioned video Christmas greeting on his December 12 Amazon blog post. The film clip is from 1898! Take a look.

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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Sound Memories

Posted on December 21, 2008 by moonbridgebooks

While certain scents can cause a stream of memories to flow, sound can also do the same. Blue jays and mourning doves calling remind me of waking up in a camping trailer, lying in that pull-out bed of the Coleman pop-up, listening to a woodland morning. Songs are big sources of memories … “Sugar, Sugar” by the Archies playing on the bus to school (am I dating myself, or what?!), “Walkin’ on Sunshine” playing on the bus to a track meet on a sunny day. Obviously I spent a lot of time on school buses in my youth. “The Long and Winding Road” is the song of my first love, and his senior prom theme. I remember ironing to a Led Zeppelin record while waiting for my boyfriend to call (Mom must not have been in the house). I even remember hanging clothes on the line while a little transistor set on WLS Chicago played Janis Ian’s “At Seventeen” Isn’t it funny how I remember very specific moments of youth when I think of these songs, and I don’t really have many memories associated with more recent songs.

Someone sent me a “tag” email with a link to a website identifying the number one song on every date since the 1890’s. The object is to see find the number one song on your birth date, but I enjoyed looking through the songs titles from when I was old enough to listen to the radio. Perusing the site though, I managed to end up on an Amazon page for the CD Songs That Got Us Through WWII. The reviews were great, with a number of people buying the CD for their grandparents who loved it! Thought I’d pass this along in case you’re looking for a Christmas present for anyone who was young during those years. Amazon has fast delivery, as well as gift delivery.

By the way, since there is a dearth of songs about Hannukah I’ll pass this along: Adam Sandler has a waay crazy Hannukah Song. Whether this becomes a memorable tradition for those of the Jewish faith remains to be seen…

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com
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