Boo!

October the 31st

The night the banshees wail

And all are afright to no avail

A time to remember

Times that shan't ever return

Growing up in San Francisco

Noe Valley to be precise

Halloween was magical

Autumn nights were sometimes cool

Sometimes foggy

Nonetheless a Poe-like evening

Jersey Street was happenin'

As was 24th Street

The laughter, the scares

Candy laden bags

Climbin' up all those stairs

Going to certain homes

To get a drink of warm apple cider

That washed down home-baked cookies

The aroma of sweets

Nothing to be feared

Halloween was such a magical time

My aunt and neighbors

Chaperoning us kids

After an hour we'd stop to

Compare and contrast

What types of candy

Would be a grand repast

Sure, nowadays Halloween's a treat

Each generation never misses its beat

These special days

Loved by all

A priceless treasure

Each and every fall

Be safe tonight

And don't over indulge

Happy Halloween to all!

Laughs and Scares Galore

During Halloween time, this film is shown to my students. They've never heard of this comedy team, let alone it being a black and white film. It can get bothersome dialogue-wise for the kids, but the emphasis is that it is telling a story, so don't depend on lots of special effects.

The antics of Lou Costello make a 21st century group of kids laugh...timeless slapstick routines that are truly becoming a lost art. The added bonus of Bela Lugosi as the Count make for a hilarious afternoon viewing.

Some of the jokes have stood the test of time and will cause a chuckle or two. This is great for Halloween afternoon or right before your scary movie presentation.

Mi Casa Su Casa

Yet another recommendation for Halloween Week. Albeit this one is a cheesy entry, but nonetheless frightfully fun. James Brolin and Margot Kidder and their new home in Amityville. A home that was once the site of a gruesome murder. But a new home...laden with wonderful possibilities. Who knew there was a demon of sorts hidden in the bowels of this home.

I remember seeing this in a packed theatre in the 70s and it was a fun, raucous crowd. At one scary point, someone in the audience yelled- "Don't go in in that room, honey!" And of course a demon appeared and the audience screamed...and then it got quiet and something akin to "I told you not to go in there" was uttered and the audience screamed with laughter.

But, I digress. It did have its moments and fright, and the musical score by Lalo Schiffrin was nominated for an Oscar. The Main Theme alone is eerie. It's definitely a fun film for your fright night. An afternoon scare. Enjoy!

A Good Scare

Winter 1973 was a great time to get scared. The release of The Exorcist made the holiday season a most profitable one for Warner Brothers. This scare fest I saw at the Northpoint Theatre, on a big 70mm screen. It was probably the scariest film I had seen. Split-pea soup aside, the power of the imagination and the amazing visuals made this film an impactful one. Little was known about this part of the Catholic Church; after all, each diocese had an exorcist. But thanks to modern science, there was no need to for an exorcist to take care of a psychiatric problem. Or is there?

I know this film scared me and made me a very devout Catholic for months; slept with a nightlight on and learned how to listened to all night talk radio or just plain music. The Rosary was recited many a night. As I said, the power of the imagination is a force to reckon with. The mind can create demons, angels, whatever in horrifying or glorifying force. This is another film I recommend for your Halloween viewing. Oh, and if possible, read the novel BEFORE you watch the film.

It's All For You

June 6, 1976. At the Alexandria Theatre on Geary Blvd. A sneak preview with a film that had a laughable title- Mother, Jugs and Speed. The sneak peek was a film by Richard Donner entitled The Omen. The teaser ads were about a warning or being one day closer to the end of the world. It was supposed to be a horror movie. Hmmm....lights dim and the opening bars of Jerry Goldsmith score set the tone. Gregory Peck, Lee Remick- the film couldn't be that bad.

Cute baby born in a Rome hospital- mother died giving birth; Lee Remick's character was giving birth, too, but coincidentally her child was stillborn. A priest convinces Gregory Peck's character to adopt it. He does and then, pardon, all hell breaks loose.

The child, Damien, is cute- almost horrifically cute. Strange things happen when this child is around. The first casualty is his nanny- commits suicide by hanging herself at his birthday. And that Rottweiler. The new Nanny, Mrs. Baylock, is evil personified. "I am here to protect thee," she intones upon meeting little Damien. Throughout the film, different characters are introduced and each one meets with a grisly demise. The audience, of course, was shocked. The final battle between Gregory Peck's character and Mrs. Baylock had everyone in the theatre at the edge of their seats. Popcorn has long been consumed, so no need to get a good grip. Oh, throughout the film, a priest and eventually a photographer try to convince Gregory Peck's character that the child is evil and must be destroyed. Even an exorcist living in Israel gives a warning and precisely how to kill this child.

So, with Halloween around the corner and you need a good scare, check out this now horror classic. The original. The Omen. Oh, did I forget to mention that little Damien is the anti-Christ?

Her That Must Be Seen

Saturday night was rather nostalgic as I saw a film from my childhood...She starring Ursula Andress, John Richardson, Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee. When originally seen, the imagination was captivated and I was thoroughly immersed in the ancient Middle East and these interesting characters. After last night's viewing, I still hold respect for films of this genre, especially those co-produced by Hammer Films of England. Fun films, adventure-packed, great score and somewhat grand sets. The matte painting of the ancient, lost city of Kuma looked like something a 5th grader with good drawing skills might conjure up. But the film, 44 years old, still caught my interest. Of course, as I was watching it visions of a "re-imagining" came into view.

Based on a novel, and a sort of remake of the 1935 version, it tells the story of Leo Vincey (Richardson), Holley (Cushing) and the valet Job (Bernard Cribbens). It's 1918 after the Great War; Vincey's face is strikingly similar to an ancient high priest. He is "kidnapped" and awakens in a nice dwelling where he meets Aeyesha (Andress) where she gives him a signet ring and a map to the lost city of Kuma. If he arrives successfully, more will be explained to him. He is most intrigued and bids his friends to join him on his quest. He survives the journey...almost! Of course, he is almost killed by a group of natives who view him as a threat; gets rescued by the soldiers from Kuma.

Without giving too much away, Aeyesha knows the secret to immortality and offers it to Leo. Does he take it? And what happens to the young woman, Eustane, who helps "My Leo" and gets punished for her help? Hmm...

Needless to say, this film was a great Saturday afternoon matinee flick. I saw it on a double bill with that other classic One Million Years B.C. with Raquel Welch. Both films were wonderful to see with school friends. For those of us growing up in the 60s, these films will fondly bring back those memories. No matter how sophisticated cinema gets, the fun films of the 60s will always have a place in my heart and be something to study by future film students.

Weather Channel Meets Food Network

I am not a big fan of seeing an animated feature at the cinema, but this was a long, stressful week of work and some sort of divertisement was needed. My original film was no longer showing. So, Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs was the film du jour. Based on a children's book, it tells the story of a nerdy inventor who tries to improve life in his community by inventing things. Of course, with all cinematic inventors, things go wrong right from the start, such as his spray on shoes. His mother believes in him and thinks she will do great things. His father, on the other hand, wants him to help with the family business. Needless to say, his magnum opus is a contraption that when water is added, food comes out...any food that is programmed. Due to a mishap, the contraption ends up launched into the atmosphere where it becomes a fixed satellite. Thinking he is a failure and walking weapon of mass destruction, he hides until he meets a weather reporter, a young girl from the big city. As they chat, it starts to rain...pickles, mustard, burgers. Eureka! The young inventor goes to his lab and is able to program the machine from there, and the gastronomic weather fun begins. From appetizers to desserts. Of course, the greedy mayor's ideas of grandeur develop in more ways than one. How will the young inventor stop the mishaps from happening? A film I highly recommend. And make sure you have your bucket of popcorn and beverage of choice!

This is one of the most visually colorful animated features I have seen in a long time, and it is worth it to see it on the big screen. The added bonus of seeing it in 3-d made the film fun. The clarity was amazing and not as dizzifying as other 3-D features can get. It is a film that will eventually join my collection. It's fun to be a kid once in a while.

Also Sprach Teacher

A somewhat short entry. My students are learning about early humankind. I traditionally show the opening sequence, "The Dawn of Man" after we discuss Dr. Leakey and his wife and their discoveries.

I remember when 2001: a space odyssey was released, I was in elementary school. I saw the film at the Golden Gate Theatre, when they showed films there. It was such an incredible film; I had no idea as to what was transpiring on the screen. And now, when it is shown, with the careful explanation about ETs and that this is a work of fiction and a good discussion on early tools and weapons...there are gales of laughter at the antics of the ancients. Oh...I wish I could show One Million Years B.C. - the one that made Raquel Welch famous- to them as we study hunter-gatherers. Oh, the pain....

So It Begins

That wonderful time of year is creeping up on us this weekend. Indian Summer! Those great days when the thermometer shows 90 degrees plus. These are the days that the classroom becomes unbearable because there is no breeze coming through the windows; the fan cools the lucky few sitting near it and the only place with an AC is the faculty room! It is the few days San Franciscans complain and wish for the fog. And then when the fog comes, the complaints start again 'cause it's too cold. But, it's the Bay Area...downtown is warm and you travel towards the beach and need a sweater. Why it's called "Indian Summer" I don't know. But I do remember my 5th grade teacher, Miss Weaver, telling us that San Francisco has a Mediterranean climate. So, it's time to make ice cubes, hydrate, and try to stay cool. Happy Indian Summer a todos!!

Lest We Forget

Today is September 11. 8 years ago I was waking up at about 5:55 A.M. and the DJs on KFRC made the announcement that an airplane crashed into one of the twin towers. Nothing was really known, even the type of plane, out on the West Coast. So, life went on. Showered. Checked on my mom. Caretaker came and left for work. The more I heard on the radio the more incredible the news reports became. Upon arriving at school, the playground was abuzz with the news that apparently we had been attacked by terrorist. At 8:10 we all entered the school building- teacher modeling calm to the befuddled kids. Well, at 8:30 our principal came on the public address system telling us that school would be closed for the day; the mayor announced the closure of schools until further notice. Little by little parents trickled to the school and the children were dismissed in an orderly fashion. While waiting for parents, we tried to keep the kids calm by playing games, praying, doing some sort of school work and even showing a film. By noon, the children were gone and I was allowed to go home.

Upon arriving, my mom's caretaker was more "disturbed" than the kids. She was actually loud and being obnoxious and constantly stating we were going to war. Luckily, this caretaker, her niece, lasted only a week. And my poor mom, already with dementia, kept saying "Something terrible has happened." That was September 11, 2001.

The months after 9/11 were very patriotic, to say the least. Everyone was nice to each other. Neighbors who never spoke actually asked how things were. By March of 2002 America returned to "normal" - you know, road rage, not being nice, etc.

8 years later it seems that it is becoming a footnote in American history. Let us not let it be just another day. Sure, it has been named "Patriot's Day" but what is a patriot to some of us?

One thing I learned in my early childhood years was to love my country. Things seemed so much simpler in a time when political correctness did not exist. To be a patriot, as the Sisters of the Holy Family, and later the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur taught was to love God and country. To be respectful of the flag when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance; to sing the National Anthem with pride. The older I get, these cherished things I learned as a child are slowly drifting away. I try to instill love of God and country to my students, and hopefully they listen and will participate in government the older they get.

On a personal note, in summer of 1984 I was able to visit New York City for the first time. To see the amazing Twin Towers, along with other landmarks- the Empire State Building, the Chrysler building and the then Pan Am building- such amazing, colossal edifices. The WTC to me was a setting for various movies: Godspell, King Kong (1976), The Wiz. Little did I know that these towers had an untimely and terrible demise in 2001. The elevator ride to the top was a 90 second thrill ride. Ears popped; the view was astonishing. Aside from seeing my first Broadway musicals, the WTC is truly a priceless moment of history in my life.

To those men and women and children that perished on that awful day, we will still remember you. We may not have met, but you became part of a terrible day only to make us realize that we should not let little things be taken for granted. Appreciate your family, friends, job, life.