Brogan: 'The Way We Were' Returns To Concord!

Two weeks from today - Monday, October 16, Red River Theatres in downtown Concord will be filled with the sights and sounds of a true Hollywood classic. "The Way We Were", the 1973 blockbuster film will mark its 50th anniversary with a special screening, beginning at 7 PM.

The film and its title song, which topped the charts for months, are as good today as they were half a century ago when the film started its local run at the legendary Cinema 93.

Jim Webber, a legend himself in local theater and film, is producing this event and promises an evening of surprises, and great entertainment. Recently I spoke with him about his latest foray into classic films.

1. Why, "The Way We Were" as the film to recognize on its 50th anniversary?

I think this is a great film to celebrate, it was made in the early 1970s, a time of great upheaval in our country – about people looking back at the idealism of their youth in the WW2 years. We are currently in a time of upheaval and to be reminded that the pattern of idealism and disruption is recurring and not at all unusual, is somehow comforting and I think we need that.

2. Did you see the film when it was released and, if so, what impact did it have on you?

I saw the film when it opened in Boston at the Cleveland Circle Theatre. Redford and Streisand were major stars at the time and the movie was a huge hit when it opened in 1973. I remember being surprised at what a personal story it was and how the specifics of the characters’ political ideologies gave a realistic weight to what otherwise would have been just a “movie romance.”

3. This is the 4th film, in the past 7 years, that you have brought back to the silver screen at Red River. What drives you to provide this opportunity?

I think, as do others, that Red River is a treasure in our community. It’s not a cookie-cutter cinema with numbered “boxes” but has intimate movie theatres that are capable of screening films as they were intended to be seen and heard. The theatre has a vision and carefully thought-out programming to bring the best films they can to Concord. I think it’s important to support that vision.

4. Do you view these classic films differently now than you did when you first saw them as a young man and, if so, what resonates now that did not at the time?

I felt very fortunate to grow up in what I consider Hollywood’s second golden age, late 1960s to early 1970s. The studios were at a loss, but gave opportunities to young directors like Coppola, Scorcese, Friedkin, Bogdanovich, etc. Although Barbra Streisand was acting then and not yet directing, she helped shatter the image female role models in movies, more urban, down-to-earth, intelligent, ethnic and the times were ready for that. All her early performances were quite startling and unsettling (and funny). There’s an edginess there that that audiences responded to and it’s fun to look back and see if it has the same effect.

5. There was a lot of talk over the years about Streisand and Redford teaming again, not just for a sequel but for any project. Why do you think it never happened?

I think both Streisand and Redford longed for much more control of their film projects, especially as the 70’s progressed and studios took back their power, however misguided. They both became very cautious about their films, making fewer movies and certainly Barbra got a negative reputation for exerting too much control, which seems horribly sexist, looking back. And it’s always so hard to find exactly the right project.

6. More than many films, the title song of "The Way We Were" instantly has an effect on the listener. Did the composer watch the film prior to writing it?

Marvin Hamlisch had worked for producer Ray Stark on a previous film, and I think he was trusted to score a film that spans a number of mid-century styles and not make it come across as cute or corny. He did see the film prior to scoring it and actually wrote two title songs – but the one we know won out when they tried it with the opening titles. Luckily, he saw the Katie-Hubbell romance as the glue that holds it all together and his lush and romantic scoring works so well. Right before the movie was released, he completely re-scored the final scene in front of the Plaza Hotel to get the music absolutely right. And won two Oscars for it.

7. In one sentence, why should this film be seen?

It’s a classic movie romance that works; more touching than you expect it to be, more intelligent than you expect it to be, better written, better acted; it works.

Tickets for this once in a lifetime event are available online at redrivertheatres.org or by visiting the theater box-office. There is one performance only at 7 p.m.