If the person driving a car I'm in makes a right onto
First Avenue off
Houston Street and
arrives at
86th Street
in Yorkville on one light, they're a keeper. If I don't mind getting stuck in
traffic with that person, I make them a best friend. But if that same person
doesn't like the film,
"Harold & Maude," I'm gone.
 |
| Tom 1971 |
Cat Stevens “Harold & Maude” sound track perfectly
matched the spirit of this motion picture and my 17 year old soul in 1971. At
once, I fell in love with Ruth Gordon, Cat Stevens and further fell for films
that turned everything inside out. As a boy, I ate up movies like the original
Lady Killers, Paths of Glory, The Producers, His Gal Friday, Cool Hand Luke, The
Bicycle Thief, Harvey, Marx Brothers, Laurel & Hardy, Arsenic and Old Lace,
What’s Up Tiger Lily?, etc. Harold & Maude left me slap happy for a week or
longer. After I saw it in the
East
Village, I walked around
the neighborhood looking at older people with new eyes; wondering who had the
same passion and love for life as Ruth Gordon’s character. It was the first
time I gave critical thought to the child inside my parents and grandparents
ready to break out at first crack of light. Sadly, I also understood most
adults forget or blocked the child’s route out. I promised myself I’d never
forget the path. I’m still on it.
 |
| St. Mark's Theatre on 2nd Avenue |
 |
| Houston St 2012 |
 |
| Houston St 2012 |
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| Nan & Thomas E. Pryor Jr. PS 96 & 158 ~ Autograph books 1921 & 1938 |
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| Helen & Patricia Ryan on 86th Street in 1949 |
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| 82nd crossing First Ave. ~ John Rode in Flag Dedication Parade ~ Aug 1942 |
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| 70th St & First Ave 1935 |
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| 1577 First Avenue 1940 |
