All this summer, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is running "Funday Night At the Movies" Sundays at 8 pm. The purpose is to help adults introduce kids to classic films.Before cable TV made them virtually obsolete, there were a bunch of local programs that featured hosts who showed and discussed old movies. As a kid growing up in Michigan during the 1970s, the two programs that I have fond memories of are "The Rita Bell Prize Movie" on Channel 7 and "Bill Kennedy At the Movies" on Channel 50. My mother used to watch both of these programs and I was often right there with her, soaking up movie gold from a bygone era.
I think that what TCM is doing is fantastic because to many kids, the terms "classic" or "black and white" when referring to movies are dirty ones. Hell, you even have some knuckleheaded adults walking around thinking the same thing! In addition to presenting classic films that can be enjoyed by the whole family, TCM is also offering all sorts of added fun on the program as well. The on-air host for "Funday Night At the Movies" is actor Tom Kenny (the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants). So if you mention "Funday..." to the kiddies and they turn up their noses, tell 'em that the guy who voices "Spongebob" is the host!
Some of the films that TCM has showcased on "Funday Night At the Movies" so far include "The Wizard of Oz", "Sounder", and "Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein". On Sunday July 1st, they are screening "Oliver!", the 1968 film that won the Oscar for Best Picture. For the remaining lineup of films and more information about "Funday Night At the Movies", please visit:
http://www.tcm.com/thismonth/article/?cid=159691
1 comment:
I meant to comment on this post earlier, but got caught up in the other postings (Spice Girls, Paris). Funday Night at the Movie is an awesome idea. I cut my film teeth on some great classic movies and I think sharing these movies with a new audience of children can only lend a bit of culture and class to those of the next generation.
I am for anything that gets parents and their children together and hopefully communicating. Unfortunately there is not enough of that today and that is why the world is in the state it is now. Let me get down off my soap box and thanks for the update. I will be watching.
pjazzypar
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