The 3 Movies That Affected Me the Most as a Kid

I’m a child of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and I still have a tremendous affinity for that era and its culture. Last night, I started randomly thinking about a couple of movies from my childhood, and I realized that three movies in particular had a big effect on me growing up. So I figured I ought to write about them.

Star Wars

This one is probably self-explanatory if you’re part of Generation X. What’s funny is that I don’t remember seeing “Star Wars” in the theater, but I know that my mom took me. I distinctly remember getting a “Star Wars” watch for Christmas that year and being excited about it. (I really don’t remember many other gifts I received as a kid, so that should tell you something.)

I’ve had tons of merchandise over the years, and I’ve watched the main trilogy so many times that I can quote dialogue without thinking twice. Some of Disney’s modernizations of “Star Wars” may have worn the franchise thin, but it has been a cultural constant throughout my life.

From watching the movies on the big screen to renting video discs to owning the movies on DVD and digital to watching some of the series on streaming, “Star Wars” has been part of my life nearly all my life.

Pete’s Dragon

“Pete’s Dragon” came out the same year as “Star Wars,” and I also remember having the soundtrack record. The songs are great, the plot is silly and fun, and the movie was a highlight of a low time for Disney as a studio.

But here’s how “Pete’s Dragon” affected me: it was what made me realize that I have musical talent. (I know, I know, #humblebrag…)

Music was important to me growing up. I can remember my mom listening to the radio and records, and my dad had a Dolly Parton 8-track(!) in his Jeep that we listened to all the time. When I was a toddler, I would sing “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero,” and I even remember singing “Lido Shuffle” to my baby sister in her crib.

But when I saw “Pete’s Dragon” and listened to the album, I heard Sean Marshall, who played Pete and was obviously a few years older than me, sing his parts, and I thought, “I could do that.”

“Pete’s Dragon” set me on a path that has lasted my whole life. I’m still making music to this day!

Grease

When I was five years old, my aunts — my mom’s two sisters — took me to see “Grease” in the theater. Don’t judge; as an adult, I still laugh over them taking me, even though most of the bad stuff went over my head.

I fell in love with the movie, and my parents bought me the soundtrack on LP, which I still have. I watch it from time to time and still love it, although I’m glad most of it went over my head for many years.

Two things came out of my childhood viewing(s) of “Grease”. The first was that I realized how music can tell a story. The second was my crush on Olivia Newton-John, which lasted for several years.

“Grease” is still a favorite of mine, although it hits differently as an adult. Nowadays, I think Rizzo is the most well-developed and realistic character; of course, it helps that she gets the best songs.

There you have it!

Who knows? Maybe I’ll analyze more movies that had an effect on me…

Photo credit: Sam Howzit, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons