When the silver screen was all gold


One of my favourite movies in recent times is ‘The Holiday’, delectable, fresh and charming.  However, it might have remained just a slightly more sophisticated ‘rom-com’, a few notches above the regular breed had it not been for one of the most unique subplots ever. The heart warming friendship between Iris and Arthur. This little play is treated with such tenderness and finesse that the end result on screen borders on the lyrical.  The conversations between Iris and Arthur are simple yet thought-provoking. And it gave me a wonderful chance to delve into one of my obsessions - the golden age of Hollywood. Sample the following conversation between Iris and Arthur, it's as if my thoughts echo in her question to the ageing scriptwriter, a throwback to Hollywood's glory years. Iris asks - "So was Hollywood really as great back then as I imagine?", Arthur replies with a twinkle in his eyes - "It was better." And along with Iris, I have my answer too!

It was a really magical time, those halcyon days, from the 1930's to the mid 60's. And they continue to enthrall and fascinate movie buffs. The powerhouse studios, the legendary writers-directors and the iconic movie stars - there was such a grand aura about the business and the art of movie making! Decades later, they continue to leave us spellbound. There was something undefinable, something intangible about Hollywood in those days; it was a heady cocktail of larger-than-life personalities, beautiful people, glitz and glamour no doubt, but there was also dignity, grace, class, elegance; not everything was laid bare in the public domain, which lent it an air of mystery and mystique, there was a certain timeless quality to it. And there was 'heart'. It shows in those movies, I don't know how to put a finger on it, but it just shines through the reels.

Starting from sometime in college, I have been religiously collecting and watching the golden oldies. This movie collection is one of my most treasured possessions, transporting me to a bygone era, to a 'once upon a time' which actually did exist! The more I watch, the more I appreciate movies not just as a mere pastime, but as something much deeper and lasting than that; not just a way to escape reality but also a guide to rebuild it. 
Like Arthur who teaches the value of ‘gumption’ to Iris; urges her to shed the ‘best friend’ image and behave like the ‘leading lady’ of her life .

 

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