White Christmas, Bing Crosby

Sometimes things are not what they seem.

I sat down to watch “White Christmas” for the first time. I sighed as the movie began, expecting schmaltz big time.

Yet the opening scene is of war. Weary soldiers gather. They duck for cover. A general bids his troops farewell. And “White Christmas” is sung. It’s opening line makes sense…

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know

For many years I thought this song was plain awful. But having seen it placed in the context of war, it took on another life.

From that opening scene I fell in love with this song.  

I've also fallen in love with oldies. But for a long time, I couldn’t stand them. Like Crosby’s tune.

For many years, I had the pleasure of showing cinema classics to the oldies at church. And when I screened “White Christmas” the opening scene took on a deeper meaning still. Many, if not all, had served during the war. They would’ve understood the soldier's weariness. Recalled many farewells. Remembered someone who never came home. And they too would’ve dreamed of a white Christmas. Well, an Aussie Christmas.

No surprise they sat in silence during the opening scene.

At the end of each film I screened they declared, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to…” It was tempting to sigh. But everyone thinks their things are better. Once you realise this, you’re free to listen and learn.

And I loved hearing their stories. Of going to the cinema for a thr’pence. Church dances on a Friday night. Puttering old cars. Hard dirt floors. Newspapering walls for insulation. Walking great distances to save their pennies. How to fix things around the house. Losing a child. Outliving their children. Seeing suburbs change.

I learned much over milky weak tea, shortbread, cinema classics and Bing Crosby.

Sure, they’re stuck in the mud. But who isn’t? We just think our mud is better. It’s not better, just different. During those Saturday afternoons, watching those old “fill-ems”, I came to know people filled with joy, sadness, laughter, perseverance, hope; people who dreamed. I discovered they were no different to me.

All I had to do was listen.

Oldies, like this song, are often not what they seem.