6/2/08

Matinee


Remember when I wrote about Vincent’s obsession with The Wizard of Oz?

Well a local, independently-run movie theater (Yes – they exist.) opened up their childrens’ programs for the summer with a matinee showing this past weekend. Thanks to frequent commenter, “CB,” for the tip. I knew we had to go. That film tends to get re-released every now and then but the timing was too perfect.

So after my Mom kindly volunteered to watch Pete for a few hours, V-Man and I headed out there (Rose had to work). It was only the second movie he had ever seen in the theater, so he started out with some apprehension. I told him that because this theater was older (and less technologically advanced), it wasn’t as dark, loud, and scary as the big theater where we saw Ratatouille.

That really seemed to do the trick. He got used to being there more quickly than he does most different locations, although he couldn’t get over the fact that it would be the same, exact movie we’ve watched on DVD 785 times. When Dorothy first appeared, he said (loudly) “It’s the same Dorothy!” to the chuckles of those around us.

In fact, he kept a full-voiced running commentary throughout.

“Are they going to meet the Cow-ard-lee Lion now?
“What’s a twister?”
“I think that the scarecrow takes off his mask when he goes home.”

And spoken in dead silence directly following the Wicked Witch’s melodramatic death sequence, to big laughs around us...

“IT’S A GOOD THING SHE MELTED!”

He sat through the whole movie with minimal antsiness. Not easy for a kid that young in a 69 year old film. So it was great. I hope to coerce Vincent into seeing more movies in the future because of the success of this trip. Oh – shout out to the theater –
http://www.thecolonialtheatre.com/. It was $4 admission and popcorn was $2! Can’t beat it.

5 comments:

Theresa said...

To think this all started almost one year ago with a trip to an "original" Ben Franklin Five and Dime in Middlebury Vermont!!!

Love,

Aunt Theresa

Jim said...

Right! He's been an "OzHead" for nearly one third of his life.

Anonymous said...

Please tell me the kid has seen pictures of his "daddy" dressed up as the Tin Man.

-I think you know who this is...

Jim said...

Yes, whoever you are, he has. He's been sworn to secrecy about it, though.

Kevin Regan said...

I just didn't feel like logging int yesterday...but you know who brings up the old Tin Man from time to time...