Schwurgericht

When I was 12 years old in Silver Spring, MD; theater-man Paul Roth took over Warner's double feature house the SECO and remodeled it into an art theater, Roth's Silver Spring. The admission price went from 44 cents now up to $1.00 (which was double any nearby admission price. It was a new atmosphere, no popcorn, and they served free coffee in the lounge. This was the first "art" theater in Washington DC's suburbs.

Today in 2011, most moviegoers have to dumb-ourselves-down in order -- as grown-ups -- to see the mindless drivel Hollywood makes to please the 12 year-old's. In 1950, quite regularly the 12 year-old's would reach upward and try to grasp and enjoy movies aimed at adults. Thus it was with the French drama, "Justice is Done." This excellent court drama was my first movie with subtitles. What a start! I've never since then seen a movie with so many subtitles. Talk, talk, talk! Of course with a criminal case in court, lots of talking has to be done. Reading subtitles opens up the mind to many great movies. "Wild Strawberries" (the best movie ever made), "Seven Samurai" others.

Roth's Silver Spring (the Seco) still exists, functioning now as a church. I had my first date with Diane at Roth's; later my last date with Diane at Roth's --- sacred ground I'd say.