There was a time

S.S.Lau

Dear Lighters:

   There was a time when silliness was an "in" thing. Remember in the 50s when Jerry Lewis movies were popular; that was bordering on total chaotic silliness. Then came the new wave, and Lewis, Bob Hope and Danny kaye were out.

   In recent years, silliness began to make a come back in movies. First there was " Get Shorty" a few years ago, and then came "Pulp Fiction". Those were pretty good movies. In the last few weeks, quite a few silly movies are showing.

   " Out of Sight", some sort of sequel to Get Shorty, was a silly movie. They
can leave the guy out, but Jennifer Lopez is, shall we say, effective.

   "Something about Mary" is beyond silly, and I did not enjoy watching the movie, in spite of Cameron Diaz.

   "The Mask of Zorro" is the Hispanic answer to Robin Hood, but Banderas is
not yet Errol Flynn. Hawkins is just elegant as Don Diego. Elena Del La Vega ( name of the character in the movie, don't know her stage name) is more than just pretty. This silly movie is enjoyable and entertaining.

   All these lead up to the movie which we showed to raise funds in Pui-Ching.
The name of the movie is something like " Sword as my courage, harp as my
heart" ( loosely translated劍 膽 琴 心 ). Steward Granger and Jean Simmons ( I think) were in it. That was a very silly movie, do you guys still remember what the movie was about?

   Something even more silly is in the air, some geriatric guys want to meet after 40 years of graduation from high school. That must be the silliest thing I have ever heard. Just ask your kids if any of them want to meet even after 4 years ? Ask them if they still keep up with each other? Ask them if they have a directory for names and addresses? I am laughing with a belly ache and rolling off my chair. What a bunch of geriatric silly guys!!!!!

   Ask them if the kids think this geriatric bunch is remarkable in their view, ask them if they would enjoy the same kind of friendship 40 years from graduation. I bet they would want that. They just may not know how to go about doing that some years from now.

   We, the lighters, have this friendship. We have a webpage, we have a directory of addresses, we have the urge to get together after 40 years. This silliness is to be treasured. Don't ignore what you kids may really want. Come and join in with the reunion. Only you can make it work, only you can preserve this silliness that your kids envy. Come and sign up now.