1967 Kenedy, Texas

Nan Borden

1954

Kenedy, Texas

February 21, 2021

By DJ Palmer

Growing up I was always more of a book person. I appreciate good movies, but unlike a good book, an entertaining movie sometimes leaves you wanting more. All too often I find that movie directors tend to lose sight of the plot in pursuit of creating a theatric experience commensurate with the ostentatious expectations of Hollywood. However, one movie I can distinctly remember was the Graduate directed by Mike Nichols starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. The year was 1967. The place, a small town in Karnes County Texas by the name of Kenedy. When I was 13 my father decided to treat me to a movie, and in our town, the Rialto, an “old-timey” themed chain of movie theaters in South Texas, was the premier spot for movie fanatics, families, teenagers, and even young women who preferred books.

As we entered through the grand double doors of the three-story building flanked by two tall towers, resembling windmills, we were ambushed by the aroma of buttered popcorn that filled the air of the congested theater lobby. “Two tickets to the Graduate,” my father said through the glass window of the box office. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. Like bloodhounds, we traced back the smell of the popcorn to the concession stand where I begged my father to get me a Fire Stix, a “hard syrupy candy”, which at the time was the only other concession available. Unfortunately, today I would have to settle for just popcorn.

At the door to the theater, we were greeted by cordial ushers who escorted us to our seats. I settled into the movie, and I was quickly teleported to Pasadena, California where I entered the enthralling lives of the protagonists and dubiously observed the budding love triangle between Ben Braddock, Mrs. Robinson, and Elaine Robinson. I was captivated by the film because it exposed me to people and interactions, unlike anything I had encountered in South Texas. I remember thinking how outlandish it was that a married mother had the gall and ability to seduce a younger neighbor. The iconic scene where Mrs. Robinson brandishes her leg in an attempt to seduce Ben is forever engrained in my memory; partly because of how boldly sensual it was in comparison to contemporary films, but mostly because in an attempt to preserve his daughter’s innocence my father placed his hands over my eyes. Never have I been so uncomfortable in a movie theater. The ride back home from the theater was silent and awkward, but it would pale in comparison to the embarrassing dinner conversation that was waiting for me at home. As we sat around the kitchen table making small talk, my parents looked at one another as they strategized how to best approach the elephant in the room. Finally, the silence was broken, and my religious parents braved the much dreaded “sex talk.” In the end, the conversation was characterized by more prevarication than sexual education, but nonetheless, I was happy that it was over with. When I walked into the movie theater earlier that day, I had no idea that the seemingly innocuous act would accelerate the sexual discourse between me and my parents. Looking back on it, I am grateful that the Graduate expanded the scope of my world!