You Never Forget Your First Time, Darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                            No, girls, not THAT one.... that was a disaster!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am talking about the first time I saw the 1939 movie "Gone With The Wind" on this day fifty-eight years ago.  I cannot believe I was only 13.

                                It was concocted as a surprise.  My parents said we were going for a ride, and by the route, I thought we were visiting my Aunt Martha and Uncle Jack in Cedar Grove.  But, when I saw the sign indicating "Montclair," I wondered if we could be enroute to the Claridge Theater, where the film was playing.  Sure enough, we pulled up in front of the theater, and my father got two tickets--for my mother and I.  He had seen it several times already and did not feel like seeing it again.  So, it was he who visited Uncle Jack and Aunt Marhta, while my mother and I sat through the time.

                                 Darlings, it was so thrilling.  The Selznick Logo, the Max Steiner music, Vivien Leigh as Scarlett and her battle cry at the end of Part One, which helped get me through adolescence.  And Olivia DeHavilland as Melanie.  Plus, just about everyone else.

                                     It was, and still is, screen perfection.  If a theater was running a screening today, I would be there.  This is one film that MUST be seen on the screen.

                                      So, today, for me, is "Gone With The Wind" Day.  

                                         Excuse me, dears, I must get into my crinoline!!!!!!!!!!!