When snow or sniffles keep me housebound, I bestow blessings on TCM, the Turner Classic Movie network. While others are watching people chasing balls of various sizes across the tube, I am traveling back in time from the comfort of my easy chair.
It's a world where every man wears a fedora. Many of the ladies wear pompadours and have lavish wardrobes created by the designers of the day. The cabbies all speak English. And everyone drives a classic car.
The people are all beautiful. How great it must be for the ego to watch your younger self preserved in film. This past week, I watched "To Catch a Thief" with debonair Cary Grant and the cool Princess Grace. There was a fleeting pang of sadness as I remembered that they were both dead and gone, but they were so alive on the screen, I soon forgot.
In all but silly musicals, the plots are usually absorbing. The Astaire-Rogers flicks are prime examples of stories that go nowhere. I read somewhere that Astaire thought of himself as a singer! Poor deluded hoofer. It was reported that Ginger asked him to dance with her in later years for old times' sake and he refused. Though his ability as a dancer is legend, remember that Ginger performed the same dance, backwards — and in high heels.
'HAROLD AND MAUDE'
It's interesting to see how these glamorous people age. I remember being very annoyed with Ray Milland, who suddenly appeared looking like his own grandfather. Betty Davis didn't grow old gracefully, either.
Cary Grant, on the other hand, was handsome until the end of his days. So were Paul Newman and Clark Gable.
Katherine Hepburn aged like a fine wine, shakes and all. She still strode into a room like she owned it and arranged her gangly frame in a chair in unlady-like poses. Greta Garbo was wise enough to hide away when the ravages of time took their toll.
It could well be that my tastes are not universal. I am a member of the cult that adores "Harold and Maude." The off-beat plot depicts a disturbed young man falling in love with an outlandish woman pushing 80. They meet at a funeral, which is one of many they attend.
Maude lives in an old subway car and teaches Harold to relish every moment. I've recommended the film to many. They either love or hate it.
"Casablanca" has run quite a few times lately. Though Bogart wasn't a favorite when I was younger, I can still watch that film and "The African Queen" with enthusiasm. Play it again, Sam.
"Dr. Zhivago," "Gone With the Wind," "Reds" — the list is endless. Classics that survive the test of time. The pace is better than that of today's offerings. I can really relax and be transmitted to their world.
So thank you, TCM. I'd have a bad case of cabin fever without you.
Lorraine Lilja is a retired Press-Republican reporter. A collection of her columns, "Lilja's World," is for sale at local bookstores. Lilja can be reached at llilja17@hotmail.com
