"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again"

Last night I went to a screening of the classic movie "Rebecca" at the National Theater as part of the "Dial H for Hitchcock" summer movie series.  "Rebecca" is one of my all-time favorite books, and I love the movie as well (the creepy Mrs. Danvers always gets under my skin!).  I hadn't seen the movie in a while, so it was fun to see it again and to watch the reactions of people seeing it for the first time. 

But truth be told, I was pretty disappointed in the overall experience.  I love seeing old movies in grand old theaters (many of which (not the National) were actually originally movie houses).  But instead, the movie was shown in a long skinny gallery on a tiny screen.  I could barely see the screen, and the plastic patio chair I was sitting on wasn't terribly comfortable.  Plus, the guy sitting next to me was eating McDonald's and kept trying to talk to me during the first half of the movie. 

I hate to complain so much--I was just so bummed by the way things turned out.  They annouced before the movie started that they simply don't have the funds to show the movies in the main theater, much as they'd like to.  And I totally get that--I just wish it had been advertised as such so I'd known in advance what I was getting into before I left work early to be there.   And I wish they'd charge some nominal amount and turn these showings into a fundraiser so that at some point in the future they can show movies on the big screen.

All that said, I'll try to go to another showing this summer.  I hate, hate, hate when people complain but don't do anything to resolve a bad situation.  If the theater has strong support for the "Dial H for Hitchcock" series, maybe it will think more seriously about trying to raise the funds to move the movies to the mainstage.  Only next time, I'll get there earlier for a better seat.  Anyone in D.C. want to join me for "Dial M for Murder" in August?

A Tribute to Fletch

Last weekend, my friend and I were on a little road trip in West Virginia, and I made a reference to our car hitting a water buffalo.  When she looked me blankly, I realized that she had never seen the movie Fletch.  I was astounded!  My brother and I have watched Fletch together dozens and dozens of times, and we regularly work Fletch quotes into casual conversation (and crack ourselves up in the process)--much to the delight irritation of everyone around us.  Of course, I raced back home and watched the movie all over again, chuckling like it was all new to me. 

The best part of Fletch is, of course, the wisecracking of the title character.  So in his honor, here are some of my favorite quotes (leaving out those that aren't suitable for prime time): [I'm cracking myself up just typing this . . . ]

"Yeah, Utah. It's wedged in between Wyoming and Nevada. You've seen pictures of it, right?"

"Mr. Stanwyk's parents Marvin and Velma of Provo, were unable to attend the wedding. Those are three names I enjoy; Marvin, Velma, and Provo."

"If you shoot me, you're liable to lose a lot of those humanitarian awards."

"I'm afraid I'm gonna have to pull rank on you. I didn't want to have to do this. I'm with the Mattress Police. There are no tags on these mattresses."

"I would have been here sooner, but a manure-spreader jacknifed on the Santa Ana. You should see my shoes."

"I'll have a Bloody Mary and a steak sandwich and... a steak sandwich, please."

The Hills Are Alive

I'm proud to say (admit?) that I'm a die-hard Sound of Music fan.  Seriously.  Going on the Sound of Music tour in Salzberg, Austria, was one of the great experiences of my life.  I've seen the movie no fewer than nine bazillion times, and I always think it's as great as the first time I saw it.

So when my mother sent another one of her crazy email forwards that she trades with her friends, I was pleasantly surprised to find these nifty pictures (rather than some blessing that I have to send to eight friends in eight seconds or risk eight days of bad luck).  I'm a sucker for these kinds of cast reunions, so these were particularly exciting for me. 

How amazing for those seven "kids" to have been a part of something so . . . epic?!  That must be a great cocktail party story.  Or it's perfect material for those "two truths and a lie" games.  Let's see:  I'm afraid of spiders.  I went to Hawaii last year.  I was Marta in the Sound of Music movie. 

Anyway, hope you love these as much as I do!