On Oscar Day

I was eight years old when I saw my first Best Picture nominated movie. I recall that my father (HSLABW) dozed during the film (something that boggled my mind then but that I've since done on more than one occasion), that the dream sequence scared me, the thing about the blessing on a sewing machine and a Czar, and a few more things. But I had no idea at the time that this movie would be running behind French Connection for best picture.

The next year I saw none of the films up for the top Oscar honor. I had read Sounder and wanted to see the movie, but it didn't happen (still). Of course talk about The Godfather and Cabaret was in the ether. The songs about money and life being a cabaret were everywhere, as were references to finding a horses head in your bed. But I was too young to get those movies, and my parents wisely didn't let me go to R rated films. Not long after it's theatrical release cabaret was screened for my age group in sleep away camp; a fine example of catering to the particular tastes of nine year old modern orthodox Jewish boys. I didn't see The Godfather till two years ago when a student of mine who's very into the film urged me to watch it.

I saw The Poseidon Adventure which was up for best supporting actress. I saw that on Ira Novak's recommendation, who told me over brown bag lunch that I should tell my parents that he said it's a good movie.

In 1973 all the buzz was about The Sting. I was in the library one day when I overheard a kid give away the ending. I promptly went home and told my brother everything I'd heard. I saw that film in the theatre in its original run, but realized when I saw it years later how much I'd missed as a kid. Of course The Sting went on to win best film, but not without a run for its money from the Exorcist. My friend and neighbor Howie Kaminsky saw it, and told me about the woman behind him who explained loudly as Linda Blair threw up that "it looked like pea soup" (it was). I didn't see it ever and I'm OK with that.

1974 was the year of Godfather II, which I recall seeing late one Sunday afternoon with my mother. The women behind us were surprised by how gaunt Al Pacino looked. It was a gripping movie. I was particularly taken with the Deniro flashbacks.

That year I also saw Harry and Tonto with my my mom. My Social Studies teacher knew of my interest in film and had recommended this one. I really liked it at the time. I recently rewatched it and wasn't as taken as I was the first time. That same teacher recommended Holy Grail, knowing that I was a fan of Monty Python's Flying Circus. After he told the class about the coconuts and the floating witch I was sold.

That year lots of friends saw Blazing Saddles. I didn't. It was quite a phenomenon and my classmates and teachers were all taking about it, to the point that most of it was given away. It wasn't an award nominee, but was a crowd favorite. I read up on the best picture nominee Lenny that year with great interest, but didn't see it.

I saw Towering Inferno with my older brother and some of his friends. I was taken by the way that we're told that Fred Astaire is rich by seeing him give a cab driver a fifty dollar tip. Everyone talked about OJ Simpson saving a cat in his first role. I had no idea it was nominated for best film, still don't get that.

There was a lot of talk about Chinatown and I recall seeing Jack Nicholson's bandaged nose in the clip they showed during the Oscars. Everyone was talking about that scene.

I recall 1975 as the first year when I could name all five Best Picture nominees. I had written several Laurel and Hardy sketches, in which I played both characters (I looked like Stan at the time). One of them had them presenting the award for best picture of 1975.

That year I had seen three of the nominees; One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest and Jaws. It's the first year that I remember seeing the spoofs on Saturday Night Live; Belushi being reviled by his lunch (as opposed to Richard Dreyfus reacting to human remains), Belushi holding up a lettuce and saying vegetables can't vote (taking off on Nicholson's line, "you're not going to count these vegetables.") I remembered the name Barry Lyndon, and rented it many years later. As a kid it struck me as an also ran, but years later I realized it was quite a work.

I saw Carol Kane's Oscar nominated turn in Hester street, a film that made a strong impression on me.

In 1976 Rocky is the only nominated movie I saw. I remember when it first came out mishearing my brother, who told me it was about a fighter. I thought he said fire and thought Rocky was an intriguing name for a film about a fire.

I'm going to stop now. I don't know if I'll watch the awards tonight. Usually I don't. But I can't deny that they interest me. And I can't deny that movies great and poor have strongly affected me throughout my life.

Thankyou and good night.