Movies had longer cinema runs in the 1960s and 70s, then took years to make it to the small screen, so theatre or drive-in outings were a special
treat. Before video recorders or DVDs, let alone Netflix and i-view, you had one shot at seeing a film, and
might not see it again for a long time.
As such, we watched not only new releases, but films made decades earlier, that were ‘new’ to us.
This list is not of my favourite movies; rather, it honours magic MOMENTS in those films. Rememer, I was a child, so the movies aren't heavy-duty, nor is the list exhaustive. Moments I'm quick to recall include:
LASSIE COME HOME. Clever collie. Separated from beloved companion. Hardship. Reunion. Lassie movies recycled the same formula, and we never tired of it. Watch the clip from about 1:20 onwards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2VkpNsOM4o
As such, we watched not only new releases, but films made decades earlier, that were ‘new’ to us.
This list is not of my favourite movies; rather, it honours magic MOMENTS in those films. Rememer, I was a child, so the movies aren't heavy-duty, nor is the list exhaustive. Moments I'm quick to recall include:
LASSIE COME HOME. Clever collie. Separated from beloved companion. Hardship. Reunion. Lassie movies recycled the same formula, and we never tired of it. Watch the clip from about 1:20 onwards.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2VkpNsOM4o
Alfred Hitchcock had a deft touch in THE MAN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, but The Moment is definitely when Jimmy Stewart is hunting
for his kidnapped son and **spoiler alert** the boy whistles Que Sera Sera in
response to Doris Day’s performance
THE LITTLE COLONEL. Shirley Temple and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson are a joy to watch in this glorious, clever and - for it’s time - beautifully color-blind sequence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtHvetGnOdM
DUMBO. "Baby Mine." Especially the bit where Mama Elephant puts her trunk through the cage bars … achingly sad. I still tear up watching it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPQuEB6u6v8
THE LITTLE COLONEL. Shirley Temple and Bill “Bojangles” Robinson are a joy to watch in this glorious, clever and - for it’s time - beautifully color-blind sequence
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtHvetGnOdM
DUMBO. "Baby Mine." Especially the bit where Mama Elephant puts her trunk through the cage bars … achingly sad. I still tear up watching it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPQuEB6u6v8
PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK is a remarkable example of soundtrack elevating a film.
Based heavily on pan-pipes, the music danced between sylvan and simple,
to haunting, to chilling. In following
the plot, the same riff became more ominous as the film progressed,
climactically during the pivotal scene on the rock. It was an odd and somewhat unsatisfying
story, yet the music ensured the mood could be evoked at the
mere peep of a pan-pipe, years later.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC would surely be included in any list of this era - for Edelweiss, for the Lonely Goatherd, for the moment the Captain realizes he loves Maria, and of course, the audience’s collective anger during the scene in the graveyard where nasty Junior Nazi Rolfe betrays the Von Trapps.
Julie Andrews gets another mention in MARY POPPINS for a scene that perhaps sailed over the heads of many children (including me) at the time: Feed The Birds. For the Banks children, who were being raised to worship finance, the song about a kind bag lady was a sweet reminder of the importance of charity.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC would surely be included in any list of this era - for Edelweiss, for the Lonely Goatherd, for the moment the Captain realizes he loves Maria, and of course, the audience’s collective anger during the scene in the graveyard where nasty Junior Nazi Rolfe betrays the Von Trapps.
Julie Andrews gets another mention in MARY POPPINS for a scene that perhaps sailed over the heads of many children (including me) at the time: Feed The Birds. For the Banks children, who were being raised to worship finance, the song about a kind bag lady was a sweet reminder of the importance of charity.
Bob Hope’s superb comedy-drama performance in THE SEVEN LITTLE FOYS had two big highlights. The Friars Club table-top dance routine with Jimmy Cagney is easily my favourite tap sequence of all time, and then a beautifully underplayed, moving scene that takes place after Foy's wife dies, when he realizes he’s not worthy of the misplaced acclaim he's received as a father.
Finally I remember watching SUNSHINE in 1974 with my best friend, when we were both likely far too young for the subject matter. John Denver singing “Sunshine on my Shoulder” as the main character dies reduced my friend to floods of tears for a while after. I remember it as much for the subject matter – so removed from the light stuff we were used to – and because of my friend’s visceral reaction. I worried there was something wrong with me that I didn’t feel it as deeply as she did.
I'd welcome any suggested additions to this list - anything significant film 'moments' you remember if you were young during the 60s and 70s.
