I remember my family watching, or attempting to watch, Dragnet in the late 1950's. I say "attempting to watch" because unfailingly when the ominous theme song began to blare "Bom-bom-bom-bom. Bom-bom-bom-bom-BOM," I began to scream and the channel was immediately changed to something more appealing to a milquetoast. And it didn't help that a police badge the size of Rhode Island appeared on the screen, a tiny screen compared to today's monstrosities. Imagine what would happen if the thing appeared on today's tube...er...plasma. With today's cinema-esque sound system. Who could tell what frightened a four-year-old girl in the late 1950's?
This week's http://www.velvetverbosity.com/ 100 Words challenge is "frightened." This is my submission. And, yes, it really happened.
awwww - I'm sorry that frightened you - I LOVED - and still do - those types of shows. Good catch on the feelings of that 4 year old.
ReplyDeleteI never saw the 50s ones. The one redone in the late 60s, where the couple is high on drugs and their passes dies in a bathtub was so disturbing I don't think I watched another one. Good imagery June. I like reading your stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks, folks. I preesherate it.
ReplyDeleteI can so relate. I'm a total scaredy cat when it comes to entertainment, but I can bear it if the sound is muted. Guess that tells us something about how sound technicians are really good at their jobs.
ReplyDeleteI can so relate. I'm a total scaredy cat when it comes to entertainment, but I can bear it if the sound is muted. Guess that tells us something about how sound technicians are really good at their jobs.
ReplyDelete- Evenstarwen
I remember watching the show too, but not with that reaction. Compared to today's police dramas, Dragnet was mild.
ReplyDeleteYou'd be surprised at how music is strategically placed to play on the emotions of the viewers, as well as establish an emotional and cognitive relationship between the film characters, film images and audience.
ReplyDeleteWithout those simple notes: "BOM-BOM-BOM-BOM," and a police badge the size of Rhode Island, who knows what your feelings would be towards the show! (Perhaps, the same?)
I like the narrative style of this piece. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteMy dad loves dragnet! I can relate to this fear though. I LOVE scary movies. Love them! However, I can't sit and watch one. I have to be doing something else at the time so that I am not looking at the screen the whole time. Silly isnt it?
ReplyDeleteAbigail and Nicolette, you are so right about the sound effects folks. I have to remind myself that when someone gets punched in the face on a show or movie, it really doesn't make that loud sound...they have added it! LOL! Tara, you are right! Today's shows give me the heebie jeebies! And hubby LOVES them! I'm NOT into watching autopsy shows! He loves them! Jennifer, thanks! Bo, noooo, it is not silly! I don't watch them at all! Busy or not! Guess you don't actually GO TO the movie theatre to see them, then, huh? :) Thanks, all!
ReplyDeleteI spent a year living at a meditation center back in 2000. We had no television, no radio, no newspapers or magazines and we shared internet access among 40 or so people on one computer.
ReplyDeleteThe effect was profound. That year Lord of the Rings came out in theaters and I wanted to see it, as did some other people living there at the time, so we had a movie outing. I couldn't bear the volume and the images. I spent most of the movie with my knees drawn to my chest and my hands partially over my ears.
I've since come to love that movie -- since I've re-entered the media world and become desensitized again to the speed and largesse.