So many families find quality time difficult to arrange. In my family, all the kids are now working or in college so time with my parents, let alone grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles is hard. We did manage to get together a couple of weeks ago and have an entertaining afternoon all because of a film entitled, Casablanca.
This film was perfect for all three generations to watch together. My grandfather and great-uncle instantly flashed back into their youth recalling the first time they watched the film, which coincidentally was shortly after they graduated boot camp for the navy. It was the film chosen for all the newly trained soldiers to watch, so they packed an auditorium full of freshly trained navy men, my grandfather and great-uncle were two in this particular screening, and let the men enjoy outside life for a little before getting stationed in a submarine.
Everyone in my family agreed that the plot was what makes this movie a classic and keeps appealing to many generations. The war theme adds to the plot because our grandfathers fought in this war and it opens up the door to have them start talking about their experiences from this time in their lives. According to my older brother Michael, “Rick is a tricky character that keeps us (the viewers) on our toes throughout the movie.”
Some suggestions of other great films to watch with the family that were mentioned at our family gathering are: Gone with the Wind, Arsenic and Old Lace, It’s a Wonderful Life, How Green was My Valley, Good-bye Mr. Chips, Audie Murphy Story, Stagecoach, Some Like It Hot, The Odd Couple, Grumpy Old Men, Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Music Man, and The Piano.
Overall, we had a great day with tons of stories I may have never heard had we not watched the film together. For instance, my grandfather had his picture taken with a hula girl while stationed in Hawaii during the war. He ran upstairs and knew exactly where the photo was to prove it to the whole family. Another great example, the ship he was on, the U.S.S. Frost, escorted President Roosevelt to sign the peace treaty ending World War II. My family watched him beam from ear to ear as he proudly recalled his past. So give it a try, and see what good stories you can dig up from your family’s past!
