I can not tell you about the first movie I went to in a movie theater. As a child my attention span was short and after 15 minutes of sitting through previews I was ready to either explore the rest of the theater, run up and down the aisles or take a nap so this explains why I do not remember. I can however, tell you about the first opportunity I had to go to a movie without my parents.
I use the word “opportunity” rather than “experience” because I was the child who when asked by her mother “what are you going to say if anyone at the theater comes up to you and asks ‘hey little girl, I know your parents, do you want to come with me to my car and get candy?’ ”
I replied, “oohh candy? yes please!” with a big smile.
I remember the scolding that followed from my mom, the laughter from my aunts and grandmother and the disappointment I felt after my mother said I wasn’t allowed to go with the other children to the movie.
I believe it was “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie” and as my cousins, brother and sister were getting all comfortable in their seats watching it I was squirming around and asking my parents when we were going to leave to pick them up every five minutes.
I recall waiting in the car outside the theater for the other kids to come out and imagining how amazing, adventurous and epic the film probably was and how much fun they were all more than likely having on the inside.
After the disastrous first attempt to answer my mothers question right I knew if I ever wanted to go to a movie with the big kids I had to be prepared for anything.I remember staying close to the other children and feeling like every stranger in the movie theater was out to lure me into their creeper van by offering me candy. So, needless to say...at times my concentration wasn’t entirely on the film in front of me. This went on until I was old enough to realize no one really wanted to kidnap me.
The few movies from my childhood that caught my full attention while I sat in a theater packed with other kids whose feet dangled from their seats were "The Great Mouse Detective," "Angels in the Outfield" and "Rookie of the Year." To me those movies were top notch and I couldn't wait to talk about them to anyone who would listen. The anticipation of going to the next new release was overwhelming.
I remember how important it was to have treats packed by mom hidden away inside my pockets. The treats usually consisted of a little baggie full of stove-top popcorn, left over Halloween candy and a can of Shasta soda. My mom was not about the price of concessions even when all candy was below two dollars. It was always a little awkward trying to be sneaky while opening the can of soda. The loud “TSKKKK…” sound that would fill the theater only made it more obvious to others that we snuck in outside goodies.
There are a lot of stories I can tell you about how movies have influenced my life and how my life has always felt like one big movie with the help of many characters, many life changing events and “had to be there“ moments and of course one specific place.
This is the story about my life in the movie business…
Theater movie business that is…
To be continued..
