A night at the Orpheum, or, could that movie be made today?

As cool as it would have been to be Blazing Saddles, it wasn't.

The Orpheum theater originally opened in 1921 as a movie theater, as well as live plays, vaudeville, and other activities.  The beauty of the restoration is amazing.  no stepped down floors, just a slope down to the screen/stage.  Hardwood floors are beautiful, as are the plaster decorations that are being replaced.  Red velvet curtains, mid 1900s light fixtures, and a balcony.  The seating was modern minimalist, and while they didn't rock, they did have cup holders ( a good idea with a slanted floor)

Throughout the year, they have performances of various types, as well as movie classics.  (Rocky Horror is playing in October, probably won't go to that.)  An amazing venue, on a beautiful downtown walkway.  Not exactly sure why I haven't gone to walk along Main, as it is tree lined, with lots of shops, as well as a variety of food choices.  It really is cool, and I always see lots of people (maybe that is why I don't go there)  On some nights they close Main Street to vehicles, and have concerts.

So, tonight was McLintock!  A John Wayne comedy.  If you haven't seen it, I would struggle to explain it.  John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Patrick Wayne, Stefanie Powers, Yvonne diCarlo, and on and on.  Before it started, there were little factoid slides that appeared.  One of them talked about the spanking scene, and how it was't fake, Maureen O'Hara said she had bruises for a week.  They would't let her jump through a glass window, in fact, they wouldn't even let a female stunt person do the stunt, they had a man dressed like her and a wig do the stunt.

Never mind the implied derogatory indian slurs and stereotypes.  The grand finale surrounds a woman being taught a lesson through corporal punishment,  and yes it is a happy ending.  The movie is over 50 years old, and reflects a different time.  Too many times people look at the past and interpret what happened through their eyes today.  Someone watching this movie could easily assume that John Wayne was a racist misogynist.   He was neither.

Sometimes the coolest things are right in front of us, and we don't even realize it.  We (of course, meaning me) just need to open our eyes, and see.  Easier said than done.

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