The diminutive man had been a genius when it came to getting movies financed after the silent film era had passed and the more expensive 'talkies' entered.
Producers' names aren't usually what I notice in movie credits, so it was no surprise to me that I'd never heard of Edward Small.
These three relatives - Roy Cranman, the great-nephew; Karen Botnick Paz, Roy's wife; and Michelle "Shellie" Schmals, the third cousin - are out to make their Great-Uncle better known to those who love film.
That's why they'd set up this viewing of "Solomon And Sheba" at the Savannah JEA, posting news of the event on fb all this past week.
I'd asked my amigas to come with me, but only Carolyn did, getting there in plenty of time to stay dry on what became a very stormy Sunday afternoon.
Honestly, the crashing of the thunder outside was a a perfect counterpoint for all the clashing of swords and heated sexual overtones in this 1959 movie!!!
Carolyn actually remembered seeing the movie when it first came out in the cinema!
She was about 13 years old and was captivated by the racy costumes that Gina Lollobrigita wore, by the huge battle scenes waged between 'Solomon' and his brother, 'Adonijah', for the title of 'King of Israel', and by the saucy dances performed by the pagan 'Queen of Sheba' and her people - wow!!!
I know I would have been just as mesmerized if I'd seen it as a teen!
As it was, it was a fabulous retelling of a Biblical tale, with a large dose of literary license and a 39-year-old Yul Brynner, with a marvelous head of hair, as 'Solomon'!
Carolyn and I very much enjoyed the pre-film and post-film talks, too, with Roy telling stories about his Great-Uncle Eddie - very cool!
She loves their menu as much as I do, especially those 3-for-me combos!
She had the Ole-Timer Burger, we both shared the chips and salsa, and I took most of that Shrimp Cajun Pasta home for another meal.
She ate every bit of hers!
And she must have thanked me three times for inviting her to come out to that movie!
I'm so glad she enjoyed it, too!
Dinner and a movie - always better with a friend!
(smile!)
No comments:
Post a Comment