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MEMORIES:
CharlieC remembers...Oh yeah, soooo good, but never ask what's in it... they probably don't even know at the theater ;-) More »
Posted on 03/18/08
PHOTOS:
1960’s Smell-O-Vision cult classic Scent of Mystery aside, the smell of the movies might indeed be popcorn. For many, going out to the movies just isn’t complete without the sultry, salty, warm scent of freshly-popped piping-hot movie popcorn. And why not? It’s a tradition that’s spanned almost an entire century, and it shows no signs of going away any time soon.
Popcorn itself has a long history. Apparently, humans and the like have been munching down on the fluffy stuff for at least five millennia. In fact, popcorn was found in a New Mexico cave, and is thought to be around 5,600 years old. 4,600 years later, someone left a kernel in a Utah cave. You’d think they’d have cleaned up after themselves! Over 500 years later, Native Americans taught the newly arrived Europeans the ways of the corn kernel, continuing an all-American tradition that would extend itself right into the movie scene.
Though theater owners in the Roaring 20s balked at the notion of messy popcorn being eaten in front of their beautiful screens, enterprising popcorn peddlers set up shop outside to offer patrons one of the few luxuries they could afford. It became such a trend that theaters began installing the poppers of their own inside the theaters. At 5 and 10-cents a bag, it was an easy choice for many to make – after all, they were already about to indulge in a movie, why not a little popcorn? While we may pay just a little more than 5 and 10 cents a bag, popcorn is as popular as ever.
Popcorn has also been employed in the art of romance, well, at least if pop culture has had anything to say about it. Even if in reality it never happened, there’s always been something magical about the possibility of reaching into the big bucket of popcorn only to brush up against the hand of your date. (Much more innocent than the occasionally awkward reaching around to hold someone’s shoulders). On the flip-side, popcorn makes quite the artillery. Nothing says “be quiet!” in a movie theater like popcorn arcs in front of a movie screen. Not that anyone would suggest such a thing.
Movie popcorn has even found a place outside the movie theater. As more and more people started taking their movies home, the idea of bringing the entire experience home seemed so much more appealing. Whether it’s done the old-fashioned way in a pot with fresh butter, with Jiffy Pop and its magical ever-rising bubble of popcorn goodness or via microwaveable bags from the likes of Orville Redenbacher, Act II and Pop Secret, movie popcorn can be brought into the comforts of your own home.
So whether you’re heading out to catch the latest action flick or tear-jerker, or if you’ve settled down with classics like Citizen Kane, Casino Royale or even Clueless (hey, it’s a classic in some circles!), and something just doesn’t feel complete, just reach for the popcorn and everything will be all right once more.
