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The Under-appreciated

It is quite amazing how over-rated and over-hyped some things and some people turn out to be.  Geographically, Colorado would be an excellent example of this. All you can do is remind yourself that people are sheep, and then flee.

The converse situation, with the Under-appreciated, is more enjoyable to think about. It is a challenge to identify and dwell on the goodies of the Under-appreciated. A tangible example can have a big impact on the observer.

I wrote about my newfound appreciation of Classic Television. Perhaps the reader can suggest other shows than the ones I've mentioned. What I really need is DVDs with those shows.

My current kick is "The Virginian." One episode, "Run Quiet" of Season Two, is about a deaf mute who gets into all kinds of trouble. Along the way, he meets a woman who had been treated shabbily by a fiance. She had become cynical and defeatist about men in general. Despite herself, she takes an interest in this deaf mute.

At the end of the show, the deaf mute avoids Danger, and returns to her.  Somebody, probably the writer or the teleplay-"writer", was thoughtful with a single detail in the ending. It made the show.

His back is turned to the camera. She approaches him and the camera. Paragraphs and paragraphs of story are written into the evolution of her face. (And the sneaky make-up people had gradually made her look younger and prettier through the show.) 

The audience was probably expecting the music to swell, and the two people to melt into a big wet sloppy kiss. In fact, there was an uptick in the music, but it was not-so-obvious. They didn't kiss at all. The woman approached him and grabbed his shoulders, with a look of relief and appreciation. How could mere arms and posture be so expressive? He gently touched her chin. It was so adult and un-Hollywoodish. It was as if the teleplay had been written by Johannes Brahms.

From now on, when they give the credits at the end of the show, I will no longer gloss over the "Teleplay by..." line. Movies are primarily a visual medium; thus even the best writing won't affect the viewer powerfully unless someone has translated Ideas into photograph-able action.

Comments

Thanks for the suggestion: I vaguely remember that show. It was pretty dark for a kiddie. I might appreciate it much better now.

It really is great that Amazon has it on DVD. I am trying to find "Playhouse 90" on DVD.
Wayne Wirs said…
"Kung Fu" was Taoism for the West of us :)
I was looking for "Classics", not New Age classics. (grin)
Wayne Wirs said…
I dunno Boonie. Taoism is to New Age what the threat of nuclear annihilation was to the the feel good, idealistic world of "classic" TV of the 50's and 60's. Kung Fu was hippyish 70's for sure, but it introduced deep, traditional Eastern thought to a hell of a lot of people.
XXXXX said…
Good job explaining as I feel I can picture it well. So many of the old programs were based around living well; living with character. It was never about falling into bed with someone which seems to have taken over 75% of things nowadays. But another big difference is that the old shows moved slower....no special effects, etc. It needs to go slow to show those things you talk about....zoning into changing facial expressions, body language, etc. Not everything is spoken. The viewer fills in the rest and so it becomes very meaningful. It was always a lesson on how to be a better person.
There are still some good things out there today and today there are things that rip to the core of human nature including its not so good side.
If nothing else, studying the changes in what people like over the decades is a window into how society is always changing though, unfortunately, figuring out why it changes in the particular way that it does is a much deeper mystery.

George
I knew who wrote this comment even before I saw the name at the end. Welcome back, George.

XXXXX said…
What a hoot! You know, we just always end up getting predictable, don't we?

George
My comment was meant as a compliment, of course.