In the summer of 1965 my mother and I went to The Guild, the art theater in Memphis, to see A Thousand Clowns. We howled with laughter all the way through it. On the way home she said “He’s right you know.” I nodded. And so are you. Thank you for this wonderful essay. Even as a 17 year old I knew the movie was much more than funny, and that what we choose shapes who we are. Any doubt I had about my personal choices was obliterated when I sat in the cafeteria at an esteemed law school and listened to the students discuss the degree they were pursuing because Daddy wanted them to have it. Their privilege and wealth tied them to Daddy’s lists and life. I always thought their post law degree plans were fantasy. Daddy would hook them up with a good firm, then it’s the Hamptons. Being someone who sat off to the side to watch and listen and remaining an outsider was my choice. Good news? Happy I don’t fit in…. Thank you again…
That's awesome that you got to see the original run. I first saw it on TCM a number of years ago. Watching and listening (and staying true) is not a bad way to go about it :)
In the summer of 1965 my mother and I went to The Guild, the art theater in Memphis, to see A Thousand Clowns. We howled with laughter all the way through it. On the way home she said “He’s right you know.” I nodded. And so are you. Thank you for this wonderful essay. Even as a 17 year old I knew the movie was much more than funny, and that what we choose shapes who we are. Any doubt I had about my personal choices was obliterated when I sat in the cafeteria at an esteemed law school and listened to the students discuss the degree they were pursuing because Daddy wanted them to have it. Their privilege and wealth tied them to Daddy’s lists and life. I always thought their post law degree plans were fantasy. Daddy would hook them up with a good firm, then it’s the Hamptons. Being someone who sat off to the side to watch and listen and remaining an outsider was my choice. Good news? Happy I don’t fit in…. Thank you again…
That's awesome that you got to see the original run. I first saw it on TCM a number of years ago. Watching and listening (and staying true) is not a bad way to go about it :)