What I did on Saturday Mornings Way Back When

Summary

The text recounts a nostalgic reflection on the author's Saturday morning routines as a child in San Francisco during the late 1940s, centered around listening to the radio show "Let's Pretend," anticipating the Saturday Matinee at the El Rey theater, and the simple joys of childhood entertainment and chores.

Abstract

In the early morning fog of a 1949 San Francisco Saturday, the author reminisces about the family's breakfast time accompanied by the radio show "Let's Pretend," sponsored by Cream of Wheat. The anticipation of the Saturday Matinee at the local El Rey theater, featuring movies, cartoons, and newsreels, is a highlight of the week for the author and their friends. The excitement of selecting favorite candies like Jujyfruits or Dots with allowance money, and the responsibility of watering the lawn before heading out, encapsulate the idyllic blend of duties and pleasures that defined the author's childhood Saturdays.

Opinions

The author expresses fondness for the "Let's Pretend" radio show, indicating it was a beloved family activity.
There is a clear sense of excitement and anticipation for the Saturday Matinee, suggesting it was a significant event in the author's childhood.
The mention of specific candies like Jujyfruits or Dots reveals a personal preference and the simple pleasures of childhood treats.
The author seems to value the balance of chores, like watering the lawn, with the rewards of an allowance and the freedom to enjoy entertainment with friends.
The tagging of friends at the end of the article suggests a sense of community and shared nostalgia among the author and their peers.

My response to the October 6th writing prompt.

Delaney Patterson submitted the daily prompt for October 6th: “It’s Saturday morning, you’re a kid. What are you doing?”

It’s a foggy Saturday morning in 1949 and we’re living in San Francisco’s Westwood Park neighborhood. My mom is in the kitchen cooking breakfast. My sisters and I are in the adjoining breakfast room listening to the radio. It’s our favorite Saturday morning radio show: Let’s Pretend. The theme song comes on and we all sing in unison “For all the family’s breakfasts, you can’t beat Cream of Wheat!” Can you guess what my mom is cooking?

After breakfast I start thinking of our plans for the rest of the day. I usually walk six blocks to the El Rey theater with my two cousins and a few neighborhood friends to attend the Saturday Matinee.

Oh boy! I can hardly wait! Usually, we get to see a full-length movie but sometimes there’s a double-header. Yippee! Maybe a Roy Rogers or Gene Autry movie. And there are always five or six cartoons — Bug Bunny, Elmer Fudd, Donald Duck, Daffy Duck, Goofy, Tom and Jerry. They show the latest Movietone News, too, but nobody pays attention. Then there are a couple of previews and one or two shorts. My favorites are The Three Stooges.

I usually have enough left over from my allowance to buy one of my favorite candies. In those days I preferred those rubbery multi-flavored gumdrops like Jujyfruits or Dots. Yummy!

But there’s one thing to do before I can walk to the theater. I have to water the lawn two or three times a week and Saturday is usually one of those times. So, I complete my chore and my dad gives me my allowance.

And that’s it for a Saturday morning. Now for the afternoon! Bye Mom!

Here are Nancy’s daily prompts for October:

Thanks for reading!

What I did on Saturday Mornings Way Back When

My response to the October 6th writing prompt.

Hello October — Daily Prompts

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