First Movie Memory

My first movie memory is seeing "The Alamo" with John Wayne when I was 8 years old (movie release date 1960). That movie is still my favorite movie of all time. It probably helps that I'm a life long Texan.

 

Watching a re-release of Alice in Wonderland with my mom, from within a special booth in the back of the cinema for mothers with very young (ie, noisy and fidgety) children. This would've been circa 1974, when I was 3. I don't remember this specifically, but Mom reminds me occasionally of how freaked out I got whenever the Queen of Hearts screamed "OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!"

 

My first film was Snow White. I was four years old in 1958.

 

My Dad took me to "Bambi". I was very young but still remember.

 

Seen this excellent movie dozens of times and had the oportunity to see a remastered version on the big screen in the early 80s. It was fantastic !

 

I have to ask if you cried when Bambi's mom was killed.

 

Not sure if it was the absolute first but in 1961 I saw The Parent Trap at the cinema right near the railway station in Woking, UK, after having seen a trailer on TV (in general, I'd rather have been watching the trains, but not this time). A lot of it went over my six-year-old head but I've seen the movie a few times in the past couple of years and it's very entertaining.

 

Disney’s Robin Hood
November 1973
Radio City Music Hall special premier showing!

I have absolutely no recollection of the actual movie because I was only 3 years old! However I do remember being there and watching the guys play the Lowery Organ before the show. Also I received a souvenir book which I loved but no longer have.

 

First movie I saw in a theater is either 2001 or The Odd Couple. Both came out about the same time I think. Although Mary Poppins is stuck in my mental rolodex.

 

My second movie memory was also Disney:

Treasure Island/Pinocchio double feature Christmas time 1975. Farmingdale, New York.

I remember my family was the only one for Treasure Island but many people were there for Pinocchio. The “Pleasure Island” scenes totally freaked out my 5 year old mind!!

 

My first movie-going experience happened in my elementary school auditorium where, as (presumably) an assembly educational activity, they screened The Miracle Worker - the one with Anne Bancroft and Patty Duke. Blindness scared me as a kid. I sensed that people like Stevie Wonder, who had their vision permanently impaired, could see things beyond the scope of what was "known" and it freaked me out. So when a 50 foot blind Anne Bancroft arrived at the homestead of Helen Keller, smiling behind those dark sunglasses I recoiled in horror. My teacher scowled and told me to keep still. But I was petrified. I think I finally ran out of the auditorium in mortal terror. Years later when I saw the film in its entirety I appreciated the intense performances of both lead actresses. And chuckle at my childish ignorance. You're only 6 once. So they say.

 

My favourite Anne Bancroft performance is Mrs Robinson in the ' The Graduate ' - sinisterly sexy. But this is next.