Sunday, March 18, 2007

Sunday Afternoon Tea

Can you believe it is Sunday again already? This week has literally flown by. I was busy beginning with spring cleaning so I guess it is truly a fact...time goes fast when you're having fun. :)

I was wondering what to chat about this week when, in the midst of said cleaning, I sat down for awhile in front of the TV and found an old WWII movie playing. I knew exactly what subject would be great for Sunday Afternoon Tea...old movies.

I've written a lot about how much I love old movies. Casablanca is my all time favorite but there are many others that bring various emotions. I think I enjoy the old WWII and Korean War movies because the men remind me of my father and older brothers. That would be the age of many of them (for WWII had both very young as well as middle aged soldiers). I also enjoy the culture of that time, when honor, character, patriotism, bravery, etc. were still considered important.

My husband and I recently watched Three Coins In a Fountain again on one of the channels that plays old movies. While watching it, we talked about how such a movie could not be made in this day and age for the very culture it required no longer existed. It has been one of my favorites since I saw it as a teenager (most likely on TV since it was made the year I was born!). Yeah, it is THAT old... I love the romance of that movie, the scenes of Rome in the 1950s, and the happy ending.

I enjoy old John Wayne movies, too. I have Hatari on DVD and Hellfighters on video (I need to get it on DVD some day). I especially enjoy watching Hatari but my husband and I always talk about how much the actors are smoking all the time. No wonder so many of the old time movie stars developed lung cancer! Just the second hand smoke would kill you. Still, both movies are lots of fun.

I remember those wonderful old Biblical epics that were once made...The Robe, The Silver Chalice, Ben Hur, and many more which were top movies of the day back when people knew their Bible history. Some of them should be shown again soon as Easter approaches.

Now I have to admit that there are some remakes I actually like better than the old movies. As much as I like Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, I prefer the newer version of Sabrina to the older one. Most of the time I like originals better. I know the past was far from perfect. (I couldn't imagine what it would be like to live in WWII when most of the known world was at war.) However, I miss the culture and morals of that day and they certainly knew how to make a good story.

I know I've only touched the surface here so as you are sipping your tea, please feel free to share if you agree on any of these (or disagree!), or if you have a favorite that isn't even mentioned here.

8 comments:

smilnsigh said...

"(I couldn't imagine what it would be like to live in WWII when most of the known world was at war.)"

-smile- I can. I did. I was young yes. But I do remember many things.

And I remember all the subsequent Wars. And I now believe that Civilization is in a Fight To The Death. And because of this belief, I am not sorry to be the age I am.

I know there will never be total peace. I have lived long and I know it. And I accept it. But I am kind of tired. I wish the younger, all the luck in the world. They will need it.

And poor Brenda, this is not where you expected your lovely entry to morph over into. Sorry. But yesterday is still fresh in my mind. :-) Please forgive...

Hugs to you, Dear One,
Mari-Nanci

FLCATXOK said...

I really like old movies too. Two that you mentioned are some of our favorites.....Hellfighters and Sabrina. Like you we prefer the newer one to the older one.

Anonymous said...

I was just wondering what song you have playing on your site? It is beautiful. Thanks.

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

MN, I brought the subject of war up. :) My son and I were talking about war this morning (as the family that are our best friends are in charge of the antiwar movement). Our worldview is that there will always be wars...unfortunately.

I think Hellfighters is a fascinating movie since it is based on real people!

My music is As Time Goes by played by Henry Mancini.

smilnsigh said...

Brenda, if I could, I would remove my comment from your journal. But I don't know how to.

LJ is better, in that one _can_ remove anything they have posted, whenever and where ever.

Please, _you_ can certainly remove it. Please do.

Mari-Nanci

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Hey, I don't have a problem with any of your comments. Wisdom always comes with what each has lived through (and I tend to agree!).

My husband and I cannot watch most war movies together, especially if they are about Viet Nam. He served two (rather 1 1/2) tours of duty there. He'll say something like, "There is no way they'd have a general at the front lines!"

Then I'll remind him it is the Duke and he can do anything he wants. If I wanted realism, I'd watch a documentary. :)

Susan Humeston said...

My favorite John Wayne movie of all time is "The Quiet Man". Also, along the same type story lines - both the book and the movie, "How Green Was My Valley".

Anonymous said...

Brenda-
I hope I'm not too late to comment... My husband & I agree that the new Sabrina is better. I thought the actor who played the younger brother was better. Of course, we are both Harrison Ford fans, too.:)
My favorite John Wayne movie is McClintock w/ Maureen O'Hare. Love it when he spanks her at the end. LOL! Some wives I know need that.;)