Cinema Going with Your Father in the 1950s.

Back in the 1950s
when you were a kid
your old man sat beside you
in the cinema

smoking
the smoke rising
his eyes glued
to the big screen

taking in
the leading lady
of the film
her assets

the way she moved
you sat there
scrutinizing
the leading man

to see how quick he was
on the draw
how fast he was
with the 6 shooters

and which side
of his body
his carried the gun
or guns

how he wore his hat
hoping he’d not waste
too much time
kissing the dame

when there was shooting to be done
and bad guys to get
and his horse to ride
into the big screen sunset

and he sat there smiling
at the dame
the leading actress
smoke lingering

you digging
into the small tub
of ice-cream
he’d brought you

from the salesgirl
with the lit up tray
( who no doubt
hoped to be

a big screen actress
herself some day)
and staying there
beside him

right through
the cartoons
and the other feature
until he turned to you

and said
let’s go
this is where
we came in

and he got up
from his seat
and you followed
taking a last glimpse

of the screen
the gunfire
the flashes of light
you and your old man

out of the cinema
into the dark night.

Comments: 22 ( 1 removed by Terry Collett )

David Prosser Feb 12, 2013, 5:55am UTC

Exactly as I remember Terry.

Terry Collett Feb 12, 2013, 12:39pm UTC

Thank you, David. I went at least twice a week as a kid, sometimes alone if it was a "U" or with my biological father if it was an "A".

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Peter Rogerson Feb 12, 2013, 8:52am UTC

Watch those old films now and they're nothing special. And neither were the often wooden leading actresses.

Terry Collett Feb 12, 2013, 12:40pm UTC

Thank you, Peter. Yes, I know. We are spoilt now days.

reply to this comment

ʚϊɞ Carol ʚϊɞ Feb 12, 2013, 11:50am UTC

Amazing how much things have changed. Great to have such good memories.

Thanks for sharing at The Surreal Circus.

Terry Collett Feb 12, 2013, 12:41pm UTC

Thank you, Carol have your comment now.

ʚϊɞ Carol ʚϊɞ Feb 12, 2013, 12:46pm UTC

Great!

Terry Collett Feb 12, 2013, 2:04pm UTC

As a child living in London my favourite past time was going to the cinema. As a child back then it cost about 6d pence in old UK money. I loved westerns (cowboy films) best and war films second. Now I seldom watch films, and a western would probably bore me to tears.

ʚϊɞ Carol ʚϊɞ Feb 12, 2013, 2:12pm UTC

I guess we all change over the years. It is nice to go back and reminisce.

reply to this comment

Risa G. Feb 12, 2013, 12:19pm UTC

Excellent poem as usual, Terry.

Terry Collett Feb 12, 2013, 12:41pm UTC

Thank you, Risa.

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Karen E. Feb 12, 2013, 5:04pm UTC

Very nice! My dad never took me to the show...

Terry Collett Feb 13, 2013, 2:32am UTC

Sorry about that, Karen. Thank you for reading.

reply to this comment

Angela A. Feb 12, 2013, 9:56pm UTC

I loved going to the movie theater when I was younger. It was much cheaper then. We had a dollar cinema downtown. Now, all the movies are $6 a person or higher