I , too, carried a watermelon
This is one of the reasons I love flickr. One of my contacts posted a picture of herself, holding a watermelon. She explained how, every time she does this, she is reminded of a scene from Dirty Dancing. There is now a group called “I carried a watermelon".
Now, it's not just finding out that others are reminded of this scene each time they lug around this summer staple. The movie holds other memories for me.
I was raised Nazarene. Nazarenes are fond of boycotts. When I was six or seven, the church began a boycott on movies. All movies, even G rated Disney features, were to be avoided. The reasoning had something to do with monies trickling down to the porn industry, or some such. This boycott meant that I didn't see any popular movies in the theater; instead, I had to wait for them to air on television, a few years later. There were occasional exceptions.
My sister, Kim, and I were visiting with my mother's friend and her daughters. Non Nazarenes. When they suggested we watch some movies they rented, Kim and I waited with baited breath, as our mother decided to go ahead and let us watch. The first movie was Gremlins. I was in a blissful state. Sinning! With my mother's approval!
I knew the second movie wasn't going to be as lighthearted as Gremlins. They put the tape into the VCR with a brief pause. We were told not to be fooled by the intro-it was a good movie. I braced myself and watched my mother from the corner of my eye.
I think I stopped breathing for a moment. The people on the screen were dancing (dancing also a no no in the Nazarene church). Dirty dancing. I have to admit I was relieved when the writhing bodies were replaced by "Baby" in the backseat of her parent's car.
I vacillated between wondering what my mother must be thinking and being drawn into the story. I think the movie had a greater impact on me than it should have. I related to Baby, we had the same squinty eyes, nose, and mess of curls on our heads. I also related to her awkwardness, and struggle to define herself. Now, I don't own the DVD and watch it over and over again. (Though, I'm pretty sure I have the soundtrack around here somewhere) Nor do I think it's one of those movies everyone should see. I do, however, like finding other people that have a soft spot for cheesy eighties movies. Where’s your watermelon?
Now, it's not just finding out that others are reminded of this scene each time they lug around this summer staple. The movie holds other memories for me.
I was raised Nazarene. Nazarenes are fond of boycotts. When I was six or seven, the church began a boycott on movies. All movies, even G rated Disney features, were to be avoided. The reasoning had something to do with monies trickling down to the porn industry, or some such. This boycott meant that I didn't see any popular movies in the theater; instead, I had to wait for them to air on television, a few years later. There were occasional exceptions.
My sister, Kim, and I were visiting with my mother's friend and her daughters. Non Nazarenes. When they suggested we watch some movies they rented, Kim and I waited with baited breath, as our mother decided to go ahead and let us watch. The first movie was Gremlins. I was in a blissful state. Sinning! With my mother's approval!
I knew the second movie wasn't going to be as lighthearted as Gremlins. They put the tape into the VCR with a brief pause. We were told not to be fooled by the intro-it was a good movie. I braced myself and watched my mother from the corner of my eye.
I think I stopped breathing for a moment. The people on the screen were dancing (dancing also a no no in the Nazarene church). Dirty dancing. I have to admit I was relieved when the writhing bodies were replaced by "Baby" in the backseat of her parent's car.
I vacillated between wondering what my mother must be thinking and being drawn into the story. I think the movie had a greater impact on me than it should have. I related to Baby, we had the same squinty eyes, nose, and mess of curls on our heads. I also related to her awkwardness, and struggle to define herself. Now, I don't own the DVD and watch it over and over again. (Though, I'm pretty sure I have the soundtrack around here somewhere) Nor do I think it's one of those movies everyone should see. I do, however, like finding other people that have a soft spot for cheesy eighties movies. Where’s your watermelon?
posted by Crystal at
9:43 AM
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