I lived my preteen and teen years when it was the in-thing of going to drive-ins. The big screen was nice, but I enjoyed eating candy and popcorn while sitting on the car’s hood. It was strong enough to hold my three siblings and me. My mother, the usual driver, preferred a yard chair over the hood. (LOL)
When the drive-in closed for the winter, we went to the small theater in Washington, Illinois.

I have memories of only one movie from that time. The movie was “The Conqueror,” starring John Wayne as Genghis Khan. I remember being impressed when someone shot John Wayne with an arrow. I marveled at how realistic it looked, sticking from his shoulder. (I imagine my grandkids would laugh at this special effect.)

I regularly spent one weekend day at the theater on Market Street in San Francisco, California. I could take a bus into town round trip for fifty cents. The theater charged twenty-five cents and allowed me to stay through as many movies as I could tolerate in one day. Lunch was often popcorn and candy. These prices fit nicely in a budget, my monthly pay of ninety-three dollars before taxes.
I spent one day enjoying two movies that I remember. The first was “Hawaii,” and the second was “The Sound of Music.” I like almost every Julie Andrews movie.

I am skipping to the recent past, fifty years. I like action movies. The more action, the better. There are too many action movies to list since what would make the list today would be displaced by a new one tomorrow.

The are several series that are particular favorites. Starwars and Startrek rank just below the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. The marvel series has excellent visuals but would be a distant third to me.

So, that is a quick summary. Sorry if my choices conflict with yours, but they are mine. (LOL)

Two left feet has kept me off Dancing with the Stars. There are other sports, but all of them require chasing a ball or running. Bowling only requires a few steps, swinging my arm and releasing a round object onto the lane, and waiting for the ball to come back. Perfect sport for me.

The Kingpin came out in 1996. I hoped for a sequel that I could read for. I became a professional bowler in 1997 and felt I had the qualifications for a walk-on role.  Since the sequel was never made, my dreams of being a movie star remained unfulfilled.

How to become a star

Unfulfilled until last week. I now am a role player in a bowling movie. The producer was seeking bowlers for a movie she was making. She had several scenes requiring someone to bowl while she filmed. She wanted a selection of bowlers from young to mature (older is not a nice word for a 70-year-old.) I petitioned for my grandchildren, secretly wanting to make them stars.

I found that acting is not all it is cracked up to be as I sat while the younger actors, Elizabeth, Autumn, and Bradley performed for the camera. Watching other actors act can be boring.

My turn finally came. I eagerly donned my shoes and bowling glove. I cut and applied bowler’s tape to my thumb (covering an old callus) and carried my bowling ball to the lanes.

Star is born

Then it started. The Director required I make some deliveries of the ball to allow her to evaluate camera angles. I must have made twenty such shots before she said we would start taping.

I delivered shot after shot as the camera moved forward, back, higher or lower. The director asked for some shots to pass under the camera sixty-feet away from me. This taxed my shot making skill since the camera was moved to several spots over the lane. I was continually cautioned not to damage the camera. How could I be blamed for damaging the camera when someone should move it before the ball struck it.

The director called an end to the recording session. I collected my equipment and stored it. I was not privy to the raw footage and must wait to see what is left after editing.

Raw film becomes the movie

The attached video is the result of my wife’s efforts. It was for a beginner’s video editing class. She has received good reviews online from course classmates and friends.

I hope you enjoy the video as much as we enjoyed making it. (I am the fellow at the far end of the alley delivering a bowling ball. Wouldn’t I make a great extra in a sequel to The Kingpin?) If you want an autograph, email me or comment using the form.

The battle for Okinawa pitted 182,000 American soldiers against a Japanese force between 100,000 and 120,000. The advantage the Americans enjoyed in numbers support by naval gunfire were was mitigated by the Japanese dug into bunkers and extended underground tunnels. The resultant conflict was one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific theater.

The battle began when American troops landed on the beaches on 1 April 1945. The Americans met little resistance until they moved inland. The 96^th Infantry Division reached Hacksaw Ridge on 25 April. They climbed rope ladders to the crest. Attempts to breach the Japanese defenses were repulsed. Battered, the 97^th was relieved by the 77^th Division on 29 April. 30 April the 77^th began its assault and succeeded in taking the Ridge after several days of heavy fighting, some of it hand-to-hand.

Hackshaw Ridge, the Movie

The movie directed by Mel Gibson is the story of Desmond T. Doss. Doss was a 7^th Day Adventist conscientious objector. The trials he endured for his convictions previewed his performance in combat.

Andrew Garfield gave a stellar performance as Doss. Vince Vaughn made a believable drill sergeant who had little shift for a soldier who refused to carry a gun. Teresa Palmer gave a good performance as Doss’ girlfriend and wife. There was a cast of characters who made Doss’ training challenging and provided fodder for the vivid combat scenes. There was enough gore to make combat realistic. When the story was finished, it was easy to understand how a conscientious objector could win the highest military award.

[bctt tweet=”Hackshaw Ridge is a good story with a message. #movie ” username=”dwaneknott”]

I would like to hear your opinion of the movie.

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