Semana Santa

It's that time of year again...Holy Week...the most sacred of weeks in Christendom.  OK, I'm not going to preach, but just randomly jot down nostalgias from yesteryear about this week.  The poster on the left is from a Biblical movie from Mexico made in, I believe, 1952.  I remember my mom taking me to see it at the now defunct York Theatre and how it inspired me to write simple scripts or scenarios for my own Biblical epics.  My mom enjoyed this genre...especially the ones made in Mexico.  The production qualities were not quite up to Hollywood standards, but they were money makers and had quite a following.  I remember her taking me to see a film about the life of St. Martin de Porres, and after the movie the actor who portrayed Martin de Porres, René Muñoz, came onstage in full Dominican garb and gave a powerful monologue that as I recall had the audience in tears and giving him a thunderous standing ovation.  And, for those of you who know Latin American celebrities from bygone days, I recall watching Libertad Lamarque do her stint onstage after a movie- song and dance and monologues; after that getting in line to meet, greet and get her autograph.  Little did I know that I met the actress who allegedly slapped Eva Perón across the face because Eva dared to sit in Miss Lamarque's studio chair.  I recall her being charming and in a way, a Latin Auntie Mame.  But I digress!  The film, El Martir del Calvario is a black and white film and the only exterior shot is the opening sequence with Jesus walking towards a lake.  The rest of the film is shot in the studio.  It has its moments and one of this film's moving moments is in the saving of Mary Magdalene from her libertine lifestyle.  It is a classic of the Mexican cinema, and Enrique Rambal, Jr.- Jesus- does an exceptional job in a difficult role.  He is the only actor in the film who speaks in Castillian Spanish, you know, with the lisp for the letters "c" and "z"- I don't know if he was from Spain, or to give it that classy sound, similar to American actors attempting Shakespearean English.  The musical score is nice, but it is definitely a small studio orchestra, reminds me a of a Broadway pit orchestra.  Good sound, only wish that it was a more symphonic sound- lush, loud, Cecil B. de Mille-ish!

Holy Week was the time when religious movies were shown on the major networks as well as the local channels.  Easter Sunday was traditionally the night for The Robe and as 5th, 6th and even 7th graders, we looked forward to it.  Not for its religious message, necessarily, but for the few action scenes involving the slave Demetrius.  The Greatest Story Ever Told was shown on NBC on the Saturday before Easter.  And, being that Passover fell around the same time, The Ten Commandments garnered huge audiences during its TV run.  On the local channel 2 (KTVU) a very cheesy Biblical film, Day of Triumph was shown.  The only "big name" was Lee J. Cobb.   And the actor playing Jesus was older.  

1970- the year Jesus Christ Superstar was released as a double LP.  Fresh, different, rock-oriented version of the last seven days in the life of Jesus of Nazareth.  Before any staged or celluloid incarnation, listening to this album let the imagination run wild.  I think since then I try to listen to the original recording once during Holy Week.  It is a tame work now, but what a hub of controversy this recording was!  But it made you think.  

But, those were simpler, non-cable TV days.  We relished whatever film was shown.  We enjoyed the films as traditional, something to look forward to.  I miss that in TV programming.  Nowadays, you can catch repeats of the films or teleseries within days of its original airing.  

 Hopefully you all have your wonderful memories of the season, in regards to films and music heard.  It is a wonderful season, full of hope...and jelly beans!!!! 

"Then I was inspired

Now, I'm sad and tired

After all I've tried for three years

Seems like ninety..."