SOMETIMES ONCE IS NEVER ENOUGH....

                                                                    Acrylic painting by me

 

 

A while back Annie (from blog, "Fools Rush In) asked a question.. "What movie would you watch more than once?".  Like a fool I am rushing in to give my answer, but I don't feel foolish.

I’ve a list as long as my arm, if not longer, of movies I’ve watched more than once, and will watch more than once again, once again, if I get the opportunity. 

When I was four years of age I watched “Bambi”, the movie, not the actual live, kicking, and gambolling Bambi, for the first time, the first of many times. That’s “gambolling”, not “gambling”.  Bambi was too young to place bets.   

Then along came “The Blue Lagoon”, the 1949 version, which starred Jean Simmons, Donald Houston and Noel Purcell. How surprised I was when they found the baby in the cave!  So young and innocent was I!  Searching caves thereafter, I never did find a baby!  I adored the movie every time I watched it. The feeling would remain if I saw the movie again now, all these years later.  

Joining the above-mentioned was “The Red Shoes”, starring Scottish ballerina, Moira Shearer and our own legendary Sir Robert Helpman.  It’s on my list of movies watched more than once.   I have the movie is permanently recorded. I watched it all over again only a couple of months ago.  My late mother and Moira Shearer could have been twins so alike they were in appearance.  Both had flaming red locks. My mother was a good dancer, too...not of the standard of Shearer, of course, but very good, nonetheless, in ballet, tap, jazz and ballroom...and, the Highland Fling. 

It goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway...I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve watched “Little Women”. I’ve also lost count of the number of times I’ve read every book relating the shenanigans of the March sisters.  I know their stories so well we could be sisters.

Like millions of others throughout the world, from the first moment I laid eyes on the luminous beauty of Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday” I fell under her spell.  Not in a whisper, I yelled out, “I want a Vespa!” watching Hepburn and the very handsome Gregory Peck tear around the streets of Roam.  The movie remains at the top of my “favourite movies” list.  

Same applies to “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.  Both I’ve watched many times over.  Permanently recorded, I watched each once again a couple of months ago...not simultaneously, of course.  It won’t be the last time I’ll become lost in Rome, or visit Tiffany’s in New York, I can assure you. I have always been a devoted fan of Audrey Hepburn, and my devotion shall not diminish in any way.

Both the books and the movies of “Exodus” and “The Godfather” have been read and watched more than once by me.  Back in 1962 I took a ”sickie” so I could finish reading Leon Uris’ fantastic novel before seeing the movie.  I laid on a blanket in the sun in our front yard devouring Uris’ words.

 It was the first and only “sickie” I took during the five years I worked in the Gympie law office of Tozer & Jeffery, and only one of two that I took over the ensuing thousand years of my working life.  

The Barbra Streisand-Kris Kristoffersen version of “A Star Is Born” also joins my many-times-watched movies.   I don't mind feasting my eyes of Kristoffersen any day, or night, of the week!

 In 1963, my first viewing of “West Side Story” occurred.  The movie grabbed the attention of those of my generation, mine included. At a party one night shortly after seeing the movie, so enamoured were we, a friend and I re-enacted the dance scenes, much to the entertained amusement of our fellow party-goers.  We thought we were pretty good, and would soon be snaffled up for the stage version!  

After our impromptu performance that night in Gympie a handsome young bloke sidled up to me, and said: "I'd like to get to know you better.  Can we meet up for coffee one day soon?" His name was Randall... who later on down the track became my fiancee, and then a few years later my husband.  (I never received a Tiffany's diamond, but Randall, upon his return from his New York Odyssey, did bring with him, as a gift for me, a silver ingot and a silver telephone dialer...both from Tiffany's.  I cherish them to this day).

As I said, the West Side Story re-enactment I performed with a friend was an evening in 1963. There’s no chance I’ll be re-enacting the dance moves from the new Steven Spielberg version of “West Side Story” due to be released in December. Steven could’ve hired me to give pointers, though.  The routines are embedded in my brain!

The Marx Brothers, along with Abbott and Costello movies demanded more than one viewing.  Through the years, more than one viewing was what they received; and, deservedly so.  Similar applies to Tarzan, Robin Hood, and The Three Musketeers.

 

And, of course, “Zorba, the Greek”, both the book and the movie grabbed and held my attention more than once time.  One of the highlights of my life was seeing Mikos Theodorakis, the composer of the music of "Zorba, the Greek" live in concert. A night I shall never forget.

 

Some books, movies and series... (e.g. series such as ”Justified” and “Younger”) warrant more than one viewing.  Multiple viewings are certainly justified.

 

We listen to songs and musical pieces we enjoy over and over again, I can see no valid reason same shouldn’t apply to the books, movies and series one enjoys.

 

My two furry roomies are forever nagging me to read to them the adventures of “Tom and Jerry”, “Puss in Boots”, “Felix”, and “Garfield”.  They know the words off by heart of “Scaredy Cat”, Phoebe’s song in “Friends”.   

Those darn cats...every time I open a can of Milo they look around expecting to see Otis.  They laugh at me when I pretend to be Cat Woman.

 

Breakfast Burritos: Set aside 6 whole tortillas. Spray medium fry pan. Scramble 9 eggs; toss for about 5mins, until no longer liquid.  Add 2c baby spinach, 3tbs sliced black olives, and 3tbs chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Toss until no longer wet; add ½ feta cheese; cover until cheese melts. Add 2tbs refried beans to each tortilla; top evenly with egg mixture; wrap. Grill in pan or panini press until lightly browned. Serve hot with salsa.

Breakfast Hash: In a large pan, cook 6 bacon rashers cut into 1-cm strips over med-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon; drain, leaving about 2tbs of drippings pan. Add 1/2c chopped onion and 6c cubed frozen hash browns, or fresh spuds; stir to coat with drippings; cook 2-3mins. Add 1/4c water; cover; cook 15mins; flip only once or twice. Stir in 1 minced garlic clove; cook 1mins; season to taste. Make four wells in spuds, exposing pan underneath. Carefully, crack 4 large eggs in each spot (1 egg per spot). Cover pan; let eggs cook over low heat until egg whites are set, about 8-10mims. Sprinkle 1c shredded cheddar and bacon on top during the last couple minutes of cooking. Sprinkle with chopped shallots; serve. 

Cream Cheese Scrambled Eggs: Gently whisk 4 large eggs together. Whisk in 3tbs cream cheese and 1tbs milk until mixed. It's ok if there are small bits of cream cheese pieces still.  Heat 1tbs butter in a small pan over medium heat. When butter has melted, add in 1tbs minced fresh chives. Cook for about 20 seconds; don’t let the butter burn. Slowly, pour in the eggs; allow it to sit, undisturbed, for about 30secs. Gently using a spatula, lift and fold eggs; give them a gentle stir. Let sit again  about 30 secs; give it a gentle stir again. Repeat until the eggs are just cooked. Serve warm. 

 

 

 

 A very important postscript.....Not to be overlooked...the brilliant book and movie both deserve more than one visit.....and more than once I have visited each....