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I Just wanted To Watch the Movie
By Walt Hardester
Last edited: Friday, October 16, 2009
Posted: Monday, November 12, 2007
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Hitchcock couldn't have done this any better.
In 'Nam we had outdoor movies in the company area almost every night. This particular night the movie was Hitchcock's "Psycho."
Everyone was settled in their chairs, popcorn in hand.
We occasionally, ok, more than occasionally, were rocketed or mortered, by nearby VC, who thankfully were bad very shots indeed.
This particular night, the movie was Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho," starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, Jamie Leigh Curtis's Momma. I had seen this movie about a thousand times before, but the shower scene was always scary.
Ok, here comes the shower scene, and as if on cue, we were rocketed. I heard the hiss of a rocket and saw the blast off to my left rear, an empty field.
The next two overshot us and landed long and to the right, just beyond the fence line, in Phouc Vhin village, causing many civilian casualties that we had to deal with later.
That wasn't what pissed me off though.
Of course as in any rocket bombardment, "you go for ground."
But I still wanted to finish watching the shower scene.
Problem was, the projectionist also was aware of the situation and I heard a big time noise in the projection booth.
Lying on the ground, I expected to watch the end of the shower scene but the noise from the booth precluded that, and what I saw was the movie going off the screen, because the projectionist had hit the ground too, taking the projector with him.
Even though they were bad shots I knew they were shoting at us. Good thing they missed.
Well dayum if that didn't ruin that night's movie.
© 2007 Walt Hardester
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Reader Reviews for
"I Just wanted To Watch the Movie"
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| Reviewed by manny moreno |
11/26/2007 |
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| You must have been there early. I enjoy your site walt |
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| Reviewed by Tinka Boukes |
11/15/2007 |
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I have logged in to see the shower scene...very scary and very deadly...but a good thing you wrote this shorty or I would have never known about this movie!!
Love Tinka |
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| Reviewed by Karen Lynn Vidra, The Texas Tornado |
11/13/2007 |
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I have never seen "Psycho", nor do I care to. I don't do horror movies; never have, never will. Still, all in all, a good write, Walt!
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :( |
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| Reviewed by Georg Mateos |
11/13/2007 |
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We had two short straws in a bunch coming night movie. The takers would comouflage themselves like creatures from the blue lagune and disappear into the jungle in the dark. After the first whoosh-thump! their knives would cut the noise, permanently.
Salty Walty, Marines never duck, they take cover!
You and you scary movies...
Boooooo
Georg |
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| Reviewed by Kathy Armijo |
11/12/2007 |
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To this day I've never seen "Psycho" because I had heard about the shower scene. Sorry you missed your favorite part, but I am truly glad you were missed by the VC.
Today, is a good day to remind of us of all our service men and women who have so valiantly fought for our freedom. Thank YOU!
Karhy
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| Reviewed by Karla Dorman, The StormSpinner |
11/12/2007 |
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Walt,
Even down time was fraught with peril...you take us there and make us want to watch the shower scene all over again, terrifying as it was. :) Betcha could have used a shower, yourself! Well done.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla. |
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| Reviewed by Felix Perry |
11/12/2007 |
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Good story and good insight to life back then in Nam.
fee |
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| Reviewed by Karen Vanderlaan |
11/12/2007 |
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| quite a story-well told-i never have seen that movie |
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| Reviewed by Susan de Vegter |
11/12/2007 |
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Well...guess you know the ending by now.
Did ya'll call them scuds then?
Susan |
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