And yes, the movie has elements of Harry Potter (kids away at a boarding school for witches) without any of those details that make us crazy for Harry Potter (i.e. a gripping story line, fully fleshed out characters, classes that last longer than three and a half minutes).
But what keeps The Worst Witch in the upper echelon of filmmaking is this one sequence. It features Tim Curry. He is the Grand Wizard. And he gets a song. Go on, I'll wait.
Did you watch it? Are you crying jubilant tears of awesome?
If not, did you see (and I mean really see) his cape change colors? Were you unmoved by the green screen effects unrivaled by Pixar (or your friend's basement studio)? Did you not see the dog turn into the cat?
Most importantly, Tim Curry has NO IDEA where his tambourine is. Are you made of stone?
They, quite literally, do not make them like this anymore. I don't even think we have the technology to make something quite so low-budget these days. Even the average camera phone has better capture than this synthed-up wonder.
But the point is- it doesn't matter. It will remain my favorite Halloween movie of all time. I will watch this clip multiple times between August and November 1st for all of eternity. (And so will my confused children and tolerant husband.)
Because it brings me back to a time when I was thoroughly blown away by these graphics. I so badly wanted the Grand Wizard to see how hard the witches had worked on the Broomstick Display. And this movie- this movie my whole family adored- could only be watched once a year when it aired. There was no YouTube. No internet to speak of. It was a lot like the radio request hour- it came on when it damn well felt like coming on, and sure, eventually you managed to tape it on VHS, but even then you missed the opening sequence because your VCR meshed it up with a cat food commercial.
AND WE LIKED IT THAT WAY. (Of course we didn't, but it's fun to be a martyr about times past.)
And my kids will never ever know the feeling of not having every single bit of media at their [hologrammed, flying car] fingertips. I envy them.
But then, when I watch an earnest clip like that and remember how special and new that technology was, I think that maybe they should envy me a little, too.
6 comments:
That about captures it for me too. There were iconic films for each holiday. I envy you guys your youth to appreciate the waiting and excitement, feel badly for most of us who have everything at their disposal. Too much instant gratification, though I admit to googling ANYTHING I WANT TO KNOW AT ANY SECOND OF THE DAY. I do try NOT to do this when I am with people though. Its hard but I do it.
Dad and I watched it last night, 1986 really shows its age but you are correct, its like MST, they don't make 'em like that anymore.
My daughter was about 5 when this came out and it was her favorite. I'm pretty sure we have a taped copy of it on a VHS tape somewhere in our basement. Along with her other faves, the Ewoks TV movie, Rainbow Bright, Dumbo's Circus and the original TV broadcast of the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show presentation with Joel Gray.
That cracks me up! I think Tim Curry was drunk when he was delivering his lines. And the cape and flying sequences. Oh good gracious!
@Mom- I wish they still made 'em like MST. I wish I wish I wish...
@Denny- I LOVE the old VHS collections. I know for a fact we've got some cinematic gold in some of our storage boxes.
@Natalie- Pretty sure he was. Can almost guarantee it.
I have never seen this. Ever. I am awestruck, confused and horrified all at the same time. I don't think I'll ever be able to look at Tim Curry the same way again. I'm pretty sure this clip will be replaying itself in my dreams.
Ah, yes.
It makes me so sad for my kids.
The perfection they've got at their fingertips.
They have no idea of excitement over the rudimentary.
Must be how cavemen would have felt had they seen us buying our meat from rows of frozen choices.
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