Yesterday I checked the Fathom Events website to see what old movies will be shown in theaters this month. If you’re not familiar with it, Fathom Events, in conjunction with Turner Classic Movies, releases at least one “old” movie a month in theaters all over the country, and sometimes you can find a favorite.

In the past, I’ve seen Big with my friends and their daughters. For my 50th birthday, some friends took me to Smokey and the Bandit…and even smuggled in Dr. Peppers in glass bottles for us to enjoy during the show! If they’d known how to make a Diablo Sandwich (from the movie), I’m sure they would have smuggled that in too. We also saw, on another occasion, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and last year, I forced my teenage daughter to go watch Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner with me, in hopes that she would fall in love with the movie I had watched with my mother and had loved for so long. No dice…she fell asleep about halfway through it.

This time, when I checked the website, I was thrilled. Today and Wednesday night, May 8, True Grit will be on the big screen in a theater near our house, and later in the month, Steel Magnolias, a favorite of many of my friends, will be shown.

True Grit was a favorite of my daddy’s. He loved John Wayne, and he loved westerns, so True Grit was the perfect combination. And Rooster Cogburn is a memorable character. The film was originally released 50 years ago, in 1969. I remember watching it on television with my parents when I was a little girl. Back then, we had to wait a couple of years for a movie to show up on TV…edited and censored.  I don’t remember much about the plot, so I guess I’ll need to go see it Wednesday night to try to refresh my memory. Daddy would have loved knowing I’m planning to go.

As for Steel Magnolias, being shown in theaters May 19, 20, and 21, well, I have lots of friends who can quote the whole movie. It’s difficult for me to believe it is the 30th anniversary of its release. I guess I was pushing 22 years old when it came out. Anyone who grew up in the south can relate to the characters. In fact, many of us see ourselves in certain characters. While the southern accents are a little difficult to bear at times, I can get past that for the plot of the film, because truly, I feel like I know these women. I feel like I have met someone just like each of them at some point in my life. If you’re familiar with the film, I’d love to hear which one you think you are. I know I’m not Truvy. And I know I’m not Annelle or Shelby. I think I’m probably most like M’Lynn with a helping of Ouiser and a little slice of Clairee. Maybe? My friends might think differently…

No matter which Steel Magnolias character you think you are (or aspire to be!), this is a good opportunity to see it on the big screen again. Movies are at their best on the big screen…with a big tub of popcorn, some Milk Duds, and a soda. I plan to be there.

To see the schedule of re-releases by Fathom Events and TCM, check out the website here. In addition to their partnership with TCM Big Screen Classics, they also offer lots of other events on the big screen…boxing matches, ballet, operas, and more.

See you at the movies!