The audience attracted an older population of Stockton, bringing back memories of when they were kids rocking around the clock, cruising the strip, with their hair blowing in the wind. 

One thing everyone in the audience had in common was they were either seeking to remember a lost memory or gain a new memory.

Although “American Graffiti” is an older movie, you can rent it.

The Bob Hope Theater wants to bring back the classics to the community in order let society see what youth was like in previous generations. Because they’re dedicated to this, a classic movie is shown every month.

Some classics coming up are “Blazing Saddles,” Sept. 11, as well as “The Bride of Frankenstein,” Oct. 30, which both will be showing at 7:00 p.m. 

While waiting for the movie to show you’re accompanied with songs played by Tom Thompson on a 1928 organ. The red velvet curtain opens, a couple previews are shown, a cartoon adds comic relief to the audience, warming them up for the real thing.

Then the previews are over and the curtain closes. Once again the red velvet curtain opens, there’s a pause in the audience while waiting for the movie to start, so they can go back to that moment of youth.

Within seconds, Bill Haley’s famous hit “Rock Around the Clock” plays as the background music, while Mel’s Diner, a hangout spot for the youth of American Graffiti (something like our modern day Sonic Burger), blasts on the screen.

It stars Ron Howard, who plays Steven Bolander, and Richard Dreyfuss, who plays Curt Henderson.

Both are due to leave to college in the morning, and this is their last night in their hometown of Modesto. They decide to spend their last night cruising the strip.

Steven is having relationship problems, and Curt is struggling to find himself, as well as the girl of his dreams. In one scene, Curt is moseying around the town and sits on the car of one of “The Pharaohs,” a rebellious group.

He is approached by these rebels, bullied around a little bit, nervous and scared, he spends the rest of the night vandalizing with them. At the end of his adventure, it happens to be one of the best nights of his life.

Paul Le Mat, who plays John Milner, is one of the more rebellious characters of the story who gets stuck cruising around with someone’s little sister, riding next to him rather than a high school hottie.

Both these characters John, Curt, and other ones in the movie, all struggle with growing up and finding themselves, while having a little fun and action too.

The comedic scenes will never allow you to forget it. Just another great movie directed by George Lucas, director of “Star Wars.”

The film takes you back to the youth of ‘62 racing, hanging out with friends, and for the young men in the movie, one of their many missions was trying to find a young Dane to ride next to them.

They’re just a bunch of teens living in the Rock and Roll era, trying to be cool, smoking cigarettes, drinking Old Harper, and chomping on toothpicks. Girls strut with their teased hair and red lipstick. 

The choice of music for the movie really sets the mood with hits like “Rock Around The Clock,” by Bill Hayley, “Runaway,” by Del Shannon, “That’ll Be the Day,” by The Crickets, and many more, all of which are radio hits teens would cruise to back in the day, played by DJ Wolfman Jack.

Both this movie and The Bob Hope Theater deserve at least two thumbs up. This particular theater was the perfect place to show the movie. It’s a classic theatre with antique character.

The movie fits this theatre well because it educates audiences on the youth of the Rock and Roll generation, and also gives the audience flashbacks of the fun they had back then.

So, where were you in ’62? Even if you weren’t born yet, after watching this movie you know where you would have been.

After all, I know I did.