Since no one has ever asked - online or off - why I decided to re-run the post below every February 2nd since 2016 - changing only its title - this inside joke is officially deceased. I'm interring it primarily because dwelling on possible reasons why it generated near radio silence - no one thought it was remotely funny, clever, worth mentioning or, worst of all, no one noticed - is too demoralizing. RIP.
Considering how many people outside of Punxsutawney ever pay attention, isn't it peculiar that of all the movies ever made about holidays few have come close to being as good as Groundhog Day? What is your nomination for a holiday film that is the equal of Harold Ramis's goofy 1993 masterpiece?
Although I'm not a big Bill Murray fan, Groundhog Day is on the short list of films I've watched more than once. Of the several priceless bits in the movie, my favorite is probably Sonny & Cher warbling I Got You Babe on the clock radio that awakens Murray's character as he endlessly repeats February 2nd - a brilliant song choice. What alternative tune would you pick as a way to aurally depict a nightmare you can't escape? My top nominations would be either one of those treacly ballads Michael Bolton screamed during his brief but painful popularity or the musical torture inflicted on us by I-get-paid-by-the-sixteenth-note Kenny G.
Musical snarkiness aside, which bit from Groundhog Day plays over and over and over in your mind? And, if you were able to repeat a single day from your life, which one would you choose?
Fun story. I was in a leather shop about ten years ago buying a new belt. There was an old hippy in there talking to the clerks behind the counter. He had full beard, beads, leather hat and vest, the whole I'm-hanging-to-the-old-days-wth-every-inch-of-my-being vibe. At some point he said to the clerks, "Yeah, 1967, man. When men were men and music was music." And I, who happened to be doing some research for a book said, "Yeah, and 'Sugar Shack' was number one song of the year." That would be my suggestion for another treacly possibility for the film.
ReplyDeleteOn the non-snarky side, I'd have to go with Alabama 3 like The Sopranos did:
You woke up this morning
Got yourself a gun
Your mama always said you'd be the chosen one
She said, you're one in a million
You got to burn to shine
But you were born under a bad sign
With a blue moon in your eyes
Hey Jim; Thanks for the comment. Like your "hanging-to-the-old-days..." description of that character you ran into at the leather shop. And I agree that "Sugar Shack" qualifies as a treacly alternative for aural torture to accompany that scene in "Groundhog Day". BTW, I'll finish "Kitchens of the Great Midwest" later this morning; thanks for another good recommendation. Although Stradal's novel of linked stories stands on its own merits, in my mind, he owes a tiny literary debt to "Olive Kitteridge". I'd love to talk to him to learn if he's read it.
DeleteMy favorite holiday movie is the 1970 Scrooge starring Albert Finney. I watch it every year, renting it because for some inexplicable reason it is not shown on regular TV despite every other Scrooge-type movie is shown virtually non-stop from Oct-Dec. The 35-year-old Finney plays the aged Scrooge with the perfect amount of distain, impatience, and contempt. It's a musical (!) and Finney is so very touching in a ballad about his lost true love. His talk-singing (ala Rex Harrison in My Fair Lady) works as we can't see character Scrooge singing full throated anyway. Why this holiday gem is not more popular I can't understand. I love Albert Finney in most of his movies but it is Scrooge I feel he is at his most brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous; Thanks for the comment, especially since I've never seen the Albert Finney film. I love when someone turns me on to a treat like this - going into my film queue as soon as I sign off here.
DeletePlease don't stop running this...your repetitive humorous routines are one of the brightest spots in my life!
ReplyDeleteKim; Thanks for the nice comment about my repetitive humorous routines. Unfortunately, your support aside, this one has run its course. I'll figure out another silly way to commemorate Groundhog Day beginning next February 2.
DeleteI watched Finney in Tom Jones a few years ago. What a handsome rake he was. The movie holds up amazingly well.
ReplyDeleteJim; Your endorsement gives me additional impetus to find this film I'd never heard of until the comment above from anonymous.
DeleteI adore this movie and quote it often. I think my favorite part is when Bill Murray reports the weather and calls the front 'one of these big blue things'. And I would choose to relive my wedding day :)
ReplyDeleteMarisa; Thanks for two comments in one day; a record for you, I think. Because I was there on your wedding day, I can understand why you'd want to re-live it. Especially that kicking-ass band.
DeleteHey, Pat. Not sure if this really works in response to this post but years ago, when I was living in the Manalapan/Englishtown area, I used to frequent the Englishtown auction. Some of my fondest memories from those days was going to Dudleys pretzels. The absolute best hot pretzels that you could watch coming off the conveyer belt as they exited the oven. For $2 or $3 dollars you cold get a bag of 12 VERY hot, and quite delicious pretzels. Dudleys survived the fire at the auction (1975 I believe) and reopened in the new rebuilt auction. And although it was still the Englishtown auction, it was never the same. Anyway, as I take one of my long trips towards the point of my comment (this is one of my longest) there was always this guy that would be at the pretzel stand almost every time we would go. It seemed like he just would be there. And not necessarily the same type as the 'Belt' man Jim wrote about, but this guy was also dressed in a similar fashion and always had a small transistor radio with him. While I don't remember which song would be playing each time we would be there, it was always tuned to a 50's and 60's station. That was more than 50 years ago but there are times when I would hear certain songs that it would immediately take me back to those days. Fun times, good friends. Delicious pretzels. And wonderful music.
ReplyDeleteBe well. And many thanks if you read this entire rambling post. Again, one of my longer ones for sure.
Bob
Bob; This is indeed one of your longer comments but I enjoyed the Dudley's pretzel story you told, "rambling" or not.
Delete