My husband, Bobby, is amazing. He always thinks of doing things I enjoy. Tonight, December 19, was no exception. We went to see Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” at the Lion’s Lincoln Theatre in Massillon, Ohio.
I’m a huge fan of this movie. I love to watch it every Christmas. But I have never seen it o the big screen. It was incredible! When you watch a movie in a theater it is this group experience. If it is a movie that you love and those around you seem to love it, too, it is really moving.
I was a little nervous that I might break out in song during the movie. I mean, I have seen the film plenty of times. I know the words to most of the songs and really enjoy singing along at home. I shared that with a few fellow movie goers and they assured me that they, too, might sing. I felt like kindred spirits were with me while we watched the show.
Something that never happens to me at home, happened at the theater. I wanted to applaud after the songs. I had to catch myself after “The Best Things, Happen While You’re Dancing,” song. (Not sure that is the title of the song, but that is how I remember it.) I’ve never felt the urge to do that at home, but again, something about the big screen sort of just takes me away.
It was also a kind of trip down memory lane. When we walked into the theater it was like I was back at the old theater in Medina, Ohio. Walking on the tile floor under the marque to the door, getting our tickets at the little booth, picking up some popcorn and then walking into this huge auditorium that includes a balcony, all were a step back in time for me.
The theater itself lends to the magic. The Lincoln is 100 years old. Linda Blankenship, the current director of the theater, explained that the Lion’s Club saved the theater from the brink of closing. For the last eight years she has worked as a volunteer to revive the theater. This included selecting the movies to show, popping popcorn and bringing the theater back to its former glory through a major renovation.
Whatever she did worked. The theater is beautiful. And tonight was magical. Bobby said that he never paid complete attention to the movie before. So it wasn’t until tonight that he really got the movie. And for me, watching it on the big screen made a larger than life movie, that much bigger.
The question now becomes whether this will be an annual event for Bobby and me. From what I understand, the movie is shown every year at the Lincoln. Now that we know this, will it become a new tradition for us?
