My daughter, Ashley, has moved back home with us for a season. One of the unexpected blessings of having her here is that she has been introduced to TCM, or Turner Classic Movies. It is the channel that is almost always playing on my television. Throughout my day, these black-and-white treasures provide a comforting backdrop, bringing moments of joy, nostalgia, and reflection whenever a favorite scene appears.
What fascinates me about these films is how deeply they have influenced our culture. Recently, Gaslight, starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman, was on. Ashley was surprised to learn that the term “gaslighting,” so commonly used by her generation, actually originated from this classic film. Another day, A Summer Place, starring Dorothy McGuire and Sandra Dee, was showing. I explained that the famous line, “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee,” from Grease was a reference to Sandra Dee’s wholesome screen persona. Time and again, we discover connections between these classic movies and modern popular culture.
I am grateful for the opportunity to share these films with Ashley. As I write this, she is watching Gaslight for herself. She has already recommended it to a friend, and they plan to watch it together. It is rewarding to see her develop an appreciation for stories that have stood the test of time.
The Bible teaches us in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way they should go; even when they are old they will not depart from it.” While this verse speaks to far more than movies, I cannot help but feel that I am passing along something meaningful. These films continue to offer valuable lessons about character, integrity, love, sacrifice, and resilience. Remarkably, they do so without relying on graphic violence, explicit content, or sensationalism. I appreciate that timeless quality.
Although I may have been late in introducing these films to Ashley, we now enjoy discovering them together. As we watch, we often find modern references that trace back to these cinematic classics. Even more importantly, we frequently uncover biblical themes and life lessons woven throughout their stories.
I have always shared my faith with Ashley, but this has become another way for us to connect. Together, we can explore the past and better understand how it has shaped the world we live in today. Perhaps these films also have something to teach us about the future. Only time will tell.
King Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”
These classic films remind me of that truth. Challenges we often think are unique to our time have existed for generations. Likewise, many of the ideas and values we consider modern can be traced back to stories that were told decades ago. In many ways, these old gems affirm Solomon’s wisdom.
I am delighted to share these films with Ashley and, perhaps now, with you as well. If you have never discovered Turner Classic Movies, I encourage you to give it a try, especially during the Christmas season. There is something special about these films. They have a way of slowing us down, reminding us of enduring truths, and making the world feel a little more right again.
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