Under the night sky, Hollywood’s best shine bright
Notable scenes from drive-ins come to the screen
Danny and Sandy from “Grease” making the scene
Winning combination fuels drive-ins’ success
Love of movies plus cars, who would ever guess?
Practicing social distancing, cars spread out
Another summer night, film-inspired blowout
Family piles into the station wagon
Good thing we traded that tiny Volkswagen
Mom and Dad, reservations in the front seat
Wearing pajamas, kids view from the back seat
Transporting all of us to a place of fun
Kids become quiet . . . fall asleep, one by one
Comfy family night under twilight’s stars
Slice of Americana, with movie stars
Courtesy of Pinterest.
Practicing social distance before anyone knew what it meant, America’s drive-ins have been a fixture since arriving in New Jersey in 1933. Following World War II, the American landscape exploded with new drive-ins. By 1952, outdoor movie attendance exceeded indoor theaters for the first time. During the 1950s, the number of drive-ins peaked at 5,000 or so.
This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. You are invited to participate with the opening question.
Brain Teaser Question
The 22nd and 24th U.S. President had the same parents, but they were not brothers. How could this be?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
Today’s post features six of my favorite Christmas movies. They will be listed in chronological order from the oldest to the most recent. If you feel like sharing your favorite Christmas movie, please leave a comment for other readers to see. Merry Christmas!
“It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946)
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore
An angel was summoned to save George Bailey, a frustrated businessman. The director was Frank Capra, and this film was one of his favorites. The screenplay was based upon a short story, “The Greatest Gift.”
“Miracle on 34th Street” (1947)
Starring: Edmund Gwenn, Maureen O’Hara, John Payne
The setting was New York City, and Macy’s Department Store became the center of much of the film’s story. A very young Natalie Wood played the six year-old daughter. Of course, Santa stole the show in the end.
“Holiday Affair” (1949)
Starring: Robert Mitchum, Janet Leigh, Wendell Corey
This romantic-comedy followed the life of a young widow and her son as she must choose between her “boring” attorney and a down on his luck vagabond. The screenplay was based upon the story, “Christmas Gift.”
“White Christmas” (1954)
Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen
A successful song and dance duo assisted two sisters in saving a failing Vermont Inn as Christmas approaches without any snow on the ground. Bing Crosby sang the classic Irving Berlin song of “White Christmas” as the film’s finale, but he had previously sung the song in two other films: “Holiday Inn” (1942) and “Blue Skies” (1946).
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” (1965)
This made for TV movie was the first attempt of cartoonist George Schulz to bring his characters to life on the silver screen. Most of the children’s voices were those of real children.
“The Christmas Card” (2006)
Starring: Ed Asner, John Newton, Alice Evans, Lois Nettleton
This modern-day Hallmark movie brought an American soldier to a small town, guided by an inspirational Christmas card. The movie was filmed on location in Nevada City, California and Park City, Utah.
Below are single images from each film (courtesy of Pinterest). Starting from the left and going clockwise: Donna Reed and Jimmy Stewart, Edmund Gwenn and Natalie Wood, Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum, Bing Crosby joined by Rosemary Clooney with Vera-Ellen and Danny Kaye, the Peanuts cast, and John Newton and Ed Asner.
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
They were the same man–Grover Cleveland, the only President to serve two non-consecutive terms.
Traveling back to witness world history, long past
“Schindler’s List” fills emotions that forever last
Walking with Bogart and Bergman once more
“Casablanca” presents a story that will soar
Rising again on an American southern plantation
“Gone with the Wind” makes Gable a sensation
Growing up along the magical yellow brick road
“The Wizard of Oz” sings with music, never old
Filling an appetite for storytelling that is the best
Watching skillful actors in plots fulfilling the test
Comparing life to a box of chocolates, he imparts
“Forrest Gump” offers a look at a life never tart
Listening to how music makes the hills come alive
“The Sound of Music” still stirs visions that thrive
Arriving on screen come Darth Vader and lots more
The original “Star Wars” brings new hope that soars
Making a classic musical with singing and dancing
“Singin’ in the Rain” presents Gene Kelly’s prancing
Feeling comfortable with a warm, real story to know
“It’s a Wonderful Life” sends an angel to save a soul
Finding time for viewing one more film tonight
Eager to build more movie memories this night
Do you have any favorite films that you would enjoy watching again? The above films are just a tiny taste of ones that I would enjoy watching again (hmm, I think that I already have).
Pete visits the local movie theater one night to catch one of his favorite animated films, “The Road Runner Meets Bugs Bunny.”
He hasn’t been to the old theater for several years because he is usually in bed early each night. He’s pleasantly surprised to find the old, uncomfortable chairs have been replaced with loungers.
The film begins promptly, and Pete finds an extra comfortable lounger smack dab in the middle of the theater—a perfect seat! He places his extra-large diet cola in a convenient cup holder while holding a jumbo tub of seasoned, buttered popcorn on his lap.
The film continues for the next 90 minutes or so, and the theater is filled with hilarious laughter except for one patron. As the movie ends, the house lights are turned up, and the audience exits.
A young usher walks up to Pete, still snoring and catchin’ some winks. His popcorn is scattered all over the floor as the tub has fallen from his lap.
The boy taps him on the shoulder, “Sir, the movie is over.”
Under the night sky, Hollywood’s best shine bright
Notable scenes from drive-ins come to the screen
Danny and Sandy from “Grease” making the scene
Winning combination fuels drive-ins’ success
Love of movies plus cars, who would ever guess?
Practicing social distancing, cars spread out
Another summer night, film-inspired blowout
Family piles into the station wagon
Good thing we traded that tiny Volkswagen
Mom and Dad, reservations in the front seat
Wearing pajamas, kids view from the back seat
Transporting all of us to a place of fun
Kids become quiet . . . fall asleep, one by one
Comfy family night under twilight’s stars
Slice of Americana, with movie stars
Courtesy of Pinterest.
Practicing social distance before anyone knew what it meant, America’s drive-ins have been a fixture since arriving in New Jersey in 1933. Following World War II, the American landscape exploded with new drive-ins. By 1952, outdoor movie attendance exceeded indoor theaters for the first time. During the 1950s, the number of drive-ins peaked at 5,000 or so.
Pete visits the local movie theater one night to catch one of his favorite animated films, “The Road Runner Meets Bugs Bunny.”
He hasn’t been to the old theater for several years because he is usually in bed early each night. He’s pleasantly surprised to find the old, uncomfortable chairs have been replaced with loungers.
The film begins promptly, and Pete finds an extra comfortable lounger smack dab in the middle of the theater—a perfect seat! He places his extra-large diet cola in a convenient cup holder while holding a jumbo tub of seasoned, buttered popcorn on his lap.
The film continues for the next 90 minutes or so, and the theater is filled with hilarious laughter except for one patron. As the movie ends, the house lights are turned up, and the audience exits.
A young usher walks up to Pete, still snoring and catchin’ some winks. His popcorn is scattered all over the floor as the tub has fallen from his lap.
The boy taps him on the shoulder, “Sir, the movie is over.”
Traveling back to witness world history, long past
“Schindler’s List” fills emotions that forever last
Walking with Bogart and Bergman once more
“Casablanca” presents a story that will soar
Rising again on an American southern plantation
“Gone with the Wind” makes Gable a sensation
Growing up along the magical yellow brick road
“The Wizard of Oz” sings with music, never old
Filling an appetite for storytelling that is the best
Watching skillful actors in plots fulfilling the test
Comparing life to a box of chocolates, he imparts
“Forrest Gump” offers a look at a life never tart
Listening to how music makes the hills come alive
“The Sound of Music” still stirs visions that thrive
Arriving on screen come Darth Vader and lots more
The original “Star Wars” brings new hope that soars
Making a classic musical with singing and dancing
“Singin’ in the Rain” presents Gene Kelly’s prancing
Feeling comfortable with a warm, real story to know
“It’s a Wonderful Life” sends an angel to save a soul
Finding time for viewing one more film tonight
Eager to build more movie memories this night
Do you have any favorite films that you would enjoy watching again? The above films are just a tiny taste of ones that I would enjoy watching again (hmm, I think that I already have).
Big Sky Buckeye 