Tag Archives: Heroes

Looking Back at Heroes – and even more Impressed.

18 Sunday Mar 2012

Posted by in Writing Romance

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As a child, my parents took me to see the new movie hit, South Pacific. My father had returned to us and although a casualty of the War in the Pacific himself, he was in good spirits at that time and wanted to see the film.

Shown on a wide screen in colour with the glorious music of Rogers and Hammerstein, it was inspiring and I fell in love for the first time.

I was too young to really understand the arguments of the day regarding politics, the War itself and the attraction between the grown ups – aka the sailors and the nurses. I was however desolate that the young Joe Cable didn’t get to go back to his girlfriend and it put paid to the rest of the film for me. How could the others be happy?

Living unknowingly in the midst of the perpetuating horror of the Stolen Generations of my time, I was discretely informed while my tears were gently brushed away, that this ‘friendship’ was somehow not allowed and that’s probably why it wasn’t continued with, in the film. It was my introduction to racism and like Joe Cable had so eloquently sung with the help of Bill Lee, ‘You’ve Got to be Carefully Taught.’

I saw the film, now a Classic Movie, again for the first time just last week and have re-run it several times, enchanted with the story by James A Michener, the scenery, the dancing and singing and the acting. It’s ‘fifties’ but I think it has aged well when compared to other musicals of the era which seem stilted and highly vaudevillian, imho.

Many at the time criticized the use of filters which flood the screen with red or deep purple hues when intriguing, mysterious scenes are about to happen. Similarly golden yellow hues overlay the happy moments. I thought in a way it worked well as it gave the theatrical singing scenes, a comfortable place to be until we returned to the main storyline. However the critics’ POV was detrimental to the very popular film and did affect the actors’ futures.

Getting back to the Hero.  For me it was and still is, without doubt, Joe Cable played by the actor John Kerr.

I realized this week I have often thought of him,  John and ‘Joe,’ over the years and wondered ‘whatever became of…’ as one does. So he, his acting, his character’s role in the story, the screen play and how it was played out on the screen had a huge effect on my childhood view of the world. He seemed such a good young man and I related well to his gentle portrayal of his brave young character at the time.

Having decided to follow up on the ‘whatever…’ and now as a woman of an age who definitely should not be ogling such a gorgeous young man in his prime, I was impressed with the results of my research. And John Kerr, I say with a smile, is older than me in real life so I don’t feel so badly about it, really.

He was a contemporary of James Dean and in fact both were in line for roles in the many films they both made. But he took a different route in his life, relaxed his focus on Hollywood, enrolled in University and became a Lawyer.

He received bonus points from me for remaining a lifelong friend of France Nuyen his ‘girlfriend’ in South Pacific and indeed assisted her in a matter of Law later on in life. She too went back to University and became a successful professional woman. Well done both of you; if I may.

So, a truly happy ending for my first Hero who caught my attention as a child for many reasons and is also seen appraisingly from this stage of my life.

It’s highly likely that he, John or Joe, may resurface as a thoughtful, good looking, romantic Hero in one of my next books.

I hope he doesn’t mind.

Choosing Heroes

04 Sunday Dec 2011

Posted by in Writing Romance

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A few days ago, I walked along the Esplanade, soaking in the exquisite views of moderate rollers coming in, beach goers relaxing on white sand or strolling along in the shallows and gulls floating in to land amongst their own.

With a soft whirring, I turned my head to see four guys in racing gear cycle past in a neat single line. Like the many who practice here along the foreshore roads the length of the Gold Coast, they were trim and had a confident air about them. Without doubt, they knew exactly what they were doing – experience in any sport shows instantly.

As one by one they lent into the curve of the round-about up ahead, in a light hearted manner I thought, there go four Heroes, I wonder which one fits my next WIP. I could only see them from behind as they had raced past at a fast pace but the guy in white stood out.

Was it just the colour of the top? They all wore similar knee length tights and patterned helmets. Why not the the turquoise, the marine blue or the yellow?

Hmm… On reflection, it was the athleticism, the not-too-slim muscular definition; the tall but not-too-tall or gawky, rangy body type and the balance. Above all, it was his balance on the bike to the point of being one with it and in total synchronisation, that caught my eye.

As I sipped my coffee and concluded my short pieces of observation on Ibis’s squishy feet and the bright red fire brigade truck that had stopped at the lights a moment earlier, bringing memories of my little granddaughter’s delight on seeing one flooding back, I looked up and saw the cyclists pull up within a metre of my table.

Now I got to see their faces for the first time. They were all late thirties or early forties and one of many groups of retired competitive riders who enjoy their training runs together.

The guy in white smiled a stunning smile, luckily I was sitting down and said “Shh, watch the language, we have a lady in our midst.”

I returned the smile to the happy bunch but obviously along with a slight frown, as I tried to find a word that had escaped me – one to describe the fire engine.

I answered, “Thank you, but that’s OK.”

“Is there a problem, luv?”

“Actually, yes there is – I can’t remember the word for the window at the front of a car,” I said as I scratched my head gently with the end of my pencil.

“Windscreen, luv,” and as the lights changed, another gorgeous smile and in answer to my thanks, he said, “not a problem, see ya, bye” and off he rode.

“Thanks again, bye.” Whew.

Windscreen. Of course it was. But the metal protective screen to stop stones, debris and the odd kangaroo perhaps, had clouded the issue. In fact, since I’ve upped my daily word count I’m finding I’m often stymied by a simple word.  Something else to research.   🙂

Might I conclude by saying, he was my choice, Mr White guy – back, front, voice, twinkling soft grey eyes, hair a little long and escaping at the nape of his neck, hmm…

How did I know that?

—ooOoo—

…and snails and puppy dogs tails…become Heroes. They really do. :)

23 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by in General, Sport

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Living in the heart of Surfers, within the current Schoolies bubble, I have to say firstly the behaviour this year so far, is excellent. They’re kids and they’re having fun.

Speaking of kids, and kids will inevitably evolve into Heroes and heroines in their own right, I thought I’d like to share the experience of being a Tennis Fan site moderator and having the good fortune to watch a sporting Hero evolve.

It began in 2004 when I took my daughter to Melbourne Park for the Australian Open Tennis and we watched a match on an outside court. The fascinating thing was not so much the match; I’m not even sure exactly who was playing except that the game was being watched by a group of Spanish speaking players and coaches including one excitable young teenager who kept clattering about swapping seats and rows, laughing and having a great time.

After about twenty minutes of this, I looked at him, squarely in the eye – he was now two seats away in the same row – and said something along the line of, “For goodness sake, please sit still,” and obviously had a frown on my face to accompany the request.

A “Mum” showing displeasure was too much for the lad and he apologised, with a sweet smile and sat still, almost still, for the rest of the match. I didn’t speak Spanish and he didn’t speak English, but he knew exactly what the problem was.

That night, to my absolute surprise, Lleyton Hewitt played a Round Three match on Centre Court and who was his opponent? Yes, it was seventeen year old Rafael Nadal no less. He put up a great fight and was applauded with a standing ovation by most of the crowd who had enjoyed the match so much, they forgot to be parochial. 🙂

Being one of his early fans who had actually told him off and asked him to sit still, got me hooked and I began to follow his progress as the tournaments took him far and wide around the globe.

Having a professional sports person in the family, although not in tennis, I felt I had an insider’s POV and understood much of the coaching, training and assorted difficulties a young sportsman faced. After posting comments on the original site usually regarding all of the above, I was asked to help moderate and am still at it.

It’s been a joy and many of the guys and gals have rallied to travel to the various venues over the years, meet each other, get an autograph and cheer our Hero on. The last few years, some from overseas have made it to the Aussie Open and next year I am going to Monte Carlo, joining fellow members from all over Europe, together with some Americans and Canadians…and me.

It has been an interesting journey, firstly being lucky enough to watch someone develop into a world class player – and all this from a little kid with a gorgeous smile who nearly drove me mad.

So I look at the Schoolies and try to imagine how they will evolve. What will they choose to do and will I cross paths with any of them again. Who knows, one may well be my Doctor in ten years time, so I am generous with my smiles.

Cheers!