Classic gems shine in theater setting

The most recent movie I saw in a theater came out in 1962.

That wasn't when I watched it, because I wasn't even born then.

This cinema showing of "To Kill a Mockingbird" occurred last week.

Three friends and I attended the special screening in honor of the film's 50th anniversary. The show, presented in movie theaters across the country, was part of the TCM Event Series presented by Turner Classic Movies, NCM Fathom Events and Universal Pictures.

This wasn't my first viewing of "Mockingbird." I saw the black-and-white classic starring Gregory Peck at some point when it was shown on TV. But this was my first time seeing it on a big screen, where there's just something special about watching a gallery full of fictional characters rise to their feet in respect for a larger-than-life Atticus Finch as he walks out of the "Mockingbird" courtroom.

It reminded me how much I love such classic films and how much better they are on something larger than a TV or smart phone screen.

I don't like to think of films like "Mockingbird" as "old" movies but rather as "good" movies.

Just like some of today's flicks, there were plenty that were made 50 or more years ago that were real stinkers.

But there were also a whole lot of gems, such as "Mockingbird."

Just look 23 years earlier at 1939, probably the most incredible 12 months in film history. That year's titles include "Dark Victory," "Golden Boy," "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," "Gunga Din," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," "The Little Princess," "Love Affair," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," "Stagecoach," "The Wizard of Oz" and "Young Mr. Lincoln."

And don't forget the Academy Award winner "Gone With the Wind."

Between cable and DVD, I've watched "Gone With the Wind" dozens of times. But I've only seen it once on a big screen in a theater, when it was rereleased a decade or so ago. That was the best viewing for me. Same goes for last week's "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Sure, with TVs and DVD and DVR machines, we can watch movies throughout our houses and, with computers and smartphones, just about anywhere else. That's pretty cool.

But I still think it doesn't compare with the experience of sitting in the dark with a crowd of people all listening to the "Gone With the Wind" music explode into the theater as the opening credits flow onto a giant screen. Or watching the brilliant red flames shoot up that screen as Atlanta burns behind a fleeing Scarlett and Rhett.

Or cringing as the shadow of Boo Radley moves slowly toward Atticus' son.

Two-inch flames and even shorter shadows on a phone screen aren't nearly as impressive.
