Old Movies: Stimuli of the Mind

With an ambivalent relationship between her English major background and the written word, Candace Arthuria finds meaning in old movies and short fiction.

I love old movies. In fact, when I record one and watch it on my DVR, I am overcome by an insatiable urge to write a term paper. It must be the English major in me.

Yet strangely, after finishing college in the ’70s, I lost interest in reading books and set about the task of earning a living. A series of jobs in which I had no interest paid the bills, but left me longing for something better.

Meanwhile, I watched TCM, mesmerized by engaging scripts and skillful performances that transported the work of brilliant authors to screen. I attempted to explain this exhilarating experience to family and friends, but most preferred cineplex and scintillating, vacuous plots that often left me thinking, “I could have written that better.”

When Gary Merrill assured Bette Davis, “Bill’s here, Baby. Everything’s all right now,” it was the most romantic line I had ever heard on film. I melted like a pint of ice cream left on the counter all night. I would have married him on the spot. A quick Google search and I soon discovered that is exactly what Miss Davis did. In real life! (Women were still Miss or Mrs. in those days.)

My husband always called me Baby, which was a source of embarrassment, given the difference in age. On a couple of occasions, I was mistaken for his daughter, or worse yet – his bimbo. But back to the movie. Shortly after “All About Eve,” the couple wed and co-starred in “Another Man’s Poison.” Miss Davis had married the man who called her Baby. So had I. And that’s when I knew I had the gift. I had called it spot on. I could have written the plot.

Following the death of my husband in 2017, and later during Covid, I wrote and compiled an eclectic collection of short fiction. I have been writing it ever since. It appears I have joined the ranks of those who cannot find time to read novels. My objective is to engage readers’ imaginations without consuming too much of their time. With abbreviated pearls of wisdom (usually somebody else’s), I incorporate literary, Scriptural, and historical references – always with the intent of making people think.

I subscribe to Descarte’s overly simplistic, yet eternally profound assessment of the human condition: “I think, therefore I am.” Daily I pray for the retention of cognition, petitioning for a reprieve from the dementia that is staking its course through my family.

At 69, perhaps I have a few years left to set my fingers to the keyboard. My hope is to persuade someone to see things through a heretofore-unknown prism. As I tread this path, I invite you to join me in exploring the exquisite nature of the written word and its adaptation to the screen.

My friend has a book forthcoming any day now and I must admit dreading the launch. I cannot tell her that I’ll wait until the movie comes out. So, I guess I had better find the time.

Candace Arthuria is an independent writer and editor based in New Jersey. Her short fiction collection, “DIVERSE: Stories Behind the Stained Glass,” earned a 2024 New Jersey State Council on the Arts Finalist Award. Arthuria’s work is multicultural and intergenerational, encompassing a broad range of genres.

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