Flipping through it, I loved the films suggested and Burr's style in introducing them. He provides a few 'entry films' for kids in different age ranges as well as extensive lists of movies his kids have enjoyed in various genres. But I was still a bit doubtful as to whether my kids would go for them. While they're happy to listen to books or poems that may be over their heads in some parts (we have recently been into Gerald Durrell - of which hopefully more later!) the films they're used to tend towards the more instant gratification end of the spectrum.
So I told them about the new film club we'd be running, where I choose the films and they can stay (up late, with popcorn) and watch or not, as they choose. We started with Errol Flynn in The Adventures of Robin Hood. And they loved it! They were engrossed with the humour, the fight scenes and the romance. The three year old didn't really stick it and had to be taken to bed but the rest of us had a wonderful time.
Since then we've watched and enjoyed Singin' in the Rain, Meet Me in St Louis and Bringing Up Baby. These are mostly films I haven't seen either and it's been amazing to share them with the girls. They bring up references from the films (imitating Jean Hagen's nasal "I just can't stand 'im!" for example) and even got used to watching in black and white.
The next film on the list is Stagecoach, if I can get hold of it. And I'm really looking forward to exploring some more movies from Hollywood's golden years. They have so much cultural resonance, familiarity with these films is arguably as important as reading Austen or Shakespeare. And, like the best great literature, it's hugely enjoyable.
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