Last night while flipping channels we came across.......... (drum roll please……….)… Gone with the Wind, tha momma of all movies according to many a baby boomer…
As insanely impossible as this may sound I’d never seen the movie nor read the book. Yes folks, people like me (that don’t know what Cribbage is nor has ever played Scrabble in her life nor watched Gone with the Wind) DO exist.
I hate watching movies if they’ve already started but it didn’t take long to realize it was still at the very beginning since it was at that seen where Scarlett is walking with her dad fretting about Ashley and her dad tells her that Tara will one day be hers and that this land is in her blood and blah blah blah… (when you’re a movie buff like I am you just know that a line like that can only come at the very beginning of a movie)….
Anyway, the thing is… the film was dubbed in French (like all movies that come on TV in this country and which by the way royally p*sses me off)…. I kept debating over switching channels because:
a) I wasn’t in the mood for watching a 3-hour long movie
b) I hate movies that are dubbed and
c) If I’d never been in the mood to watch it before why watch it now?
Except that by the time I figured all this out, the movie had already worked its voo-doo on me and I was hooked. And I’m not talking “hey this looks like a fun movie after all” hooked… I’m talking “hubby shush! I can’t understand a word Mamma is saying with the incredibly stupid dubbed accent they gave her” hooked.
So yes… I have been converted.
It is one of the best movies I have ever seen. Ever. I do admit though that Vivien Leigh could get under my skin when she decided to over do it (and the French shrieking version is probably worse than the English one) but on the whole I found her outstanding. Even the melodramatic or over dramatic moments where enjoyable. Mr Clark “Yummy” Gable was so enchanting you wanted to slap Scarlett every time she was mean to him (whole point of the story I guess). But hands down, what simply kept this passes-out-by-10-pm-on-the-couch-girl up until 1:30am was the incredible, incredible, incredible story!!!!
Anyway, if there is any other freak out there that hasn’t seen this movie yet… take it from this former freak: get your butt to a video store PRONTO!
Fned.
10 comments:
Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn. (heehee)
Fabulous movie, better book. I highly recommend giving it a read! If I were to ever have a girl child, she would be named Scarlett, I just love the strong independant woman sound of it.
I have never watched it either.
I also don't like beer, wine or coffee.
Sue me.
I dare you.
It's a classic, for sure, one of those movies I can't resist watching over and over again....even if it does take up 3 hours! The book is wonderful, too. Books always are! (don't bother with the sequel, though)
Glad you finally watched it!
faboulous book of my youth.....and good movie ,sure , better in original version ;I have this book but in french ......
Realy , are the French so "obnoxius" ..??
The French are no more obnoxious than any other culture... Look at how obnoxious Scarlett O'Hara was! But that didn't make her any less beautiful, admired, and desired! So there you have it! Think of Parisians as being French Scarlett O's - beautiful, admired, and desired!
Definitely a good read, too! I read it one summer that I was laid up with a knee injury.
There's a great movie called "Shag" where Bridget Fonda does a rendition of the "As God is my witness, I'll never go hungry again" speech in a beauty contest. Ok- Shag isn't that "great," but it's a must have in every Southern girl's DVD collection (provided you were born in the late 70's to early 80's). My dad and I danced the shag at my wedding reception.
Check it out: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098300/
Cancun Canuck: I definetly intend to read the book now... and I agree that after seing GWTW, Scarlett truly does ring like a good strong name. Up until now all it made me think of was Matchpoint.
Mexico Way. hahaha! Don't worry I wont sue. I didn't used to like all three either but now I'm a total Wino junkie ;)
Aunt S: Me too! I'm so getting the book AND the DVD... that way I'll be able to watch it in ENGLISH!!!!! I bet it's 100 times better! ;)
Hélène: .... merci pour votre belle copie. J'essairai d'acheter la version en anglais à ma prochaine visite chez Brentano's.
Minshap: Actually you're pretty right. More and more countries are giving the French the "actually, we don't give a damn!" line LOL
Mexpat: Thanks! I'll be on the lookout for Shag (I love Phoebe Cates) and am definetly getting the GWTW book and DVD.
Fned.
I have to comment because I am taping GWTW tonight! It's on our Movie Channel, so no commercials!! I've always loved the movie, and have seen it several times! Next time you visit, we can watch it once again!
Great Blog entry, Fned!!
Just finished watching GWTW once again. Took me four nights to get through the whole thing. Definitely a good movie - certainly can see why you call it the "momma" of them all!
As for scrabble, never could see what was so great about that game - it's rather frustrating to play! I can remember starting to play, but don't think I ever actually finished a game with anyone!
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