I used to go to two movies every week for the Saturday matinee

Gather, O children of wisdom, for I bring to you a reflection on the power of experience, the simplicity of joy, and the way in which the arts shape our lives, often without us even realizing it. These are the words of Mort Sahl, who, in recalling the days of his youth, shared this fond memory: "I used to go to two movies every week for the Saturday matinee when I was a kid." In these words, Sahl speaks to the pleasure and wonder of discovering the world through the lens of cinema—a place where imagination meets reality, and where the mind is set free to wander into realms unknown.

At the heart of this reflection is a sense of nostalgia—a longing for simpler times when the world was seen through the eyes of a child, when every experience was new, and the boundaries of the possible seemed endless. For Sahl, the Saturday matinee was not just a routine, but a gateway to a world of adventure, dreams, and emotions that stretched the limits of the imagination. In those two films each week, he encountered stories that became part of his soul, stories that shaped his understanding of the world and ignited his passion for comedy and the art of storytelling.

Consider, O children, the power of the arts to form the young mind. In ancient times, the Greek theater served as both entertainment and education for the people of Athens. The plays of Sophocles, Euripides, and Aeschylus were more than just performances; they were moments of reflection, of confronting the great questions of life—justice, fate, love, and the human condition. Just as the Greeks used the stage to illuminate the complexities of life, Sahl’s love for the movies was his way of engaging with the world, of reflecting on the struggles and joys of the human experience through the lens of film. The movies of his youth were not mere distractions; they were a formative influence, a way to shape his understanding of life and, ultimately, to express that understanding through his own work.

The Saturday matinee, that ritual of childhood, was a time of joy and escape. But it was also a time of learning, a time when the child’s imagination was shaped by the stories unfolding on the screen. Much like the heroes of ancient myths, those films brought larger-than-life figures into the lives of young viewers, offering both lessons and inspirations. Consider the myth of Hercules, whose labors were not just feats of strength but journeys of self-discovery. Hercules was a hero who battled monsters and faced his own inner demons, just as the heroes of Sahl’s films were confronted with challenges that spoke to the universal struggles of the human spirit.

In the same way that ancient heroes learned through trial and triumph, Sahl’s exposure to these films—week after week—became part of his own journey of self-expression and growth. The characters he saw on screen, the comedic timing of the films, and the witty exchanges all contributed to the unique voice he would eventually bring to the stage. Comedy, much like tragedy, is born from the examination of the human condition, from reflecting on the absurdity and joys of life, and Sahl’s work reflects that. The very rhythm of his speech, his ability to see the humor in the world’s darkness, was formed in those early moments, sitting in the theater, watching the world unfold before him.

Thus, the lesson we find in Sahl’s words is a powerful one: the experiences of youth, particularly the arts, leave an indelible mark on our lives. Just as Sahl’s love of cinema shaped his future, so too do the simple joys of our own childhood shape who we become. The films he watched, like the stories of old, were more than just entertainment; they were the seeds of creativity, the roots of his future expression. The same can be said for all of us—whether it is through literature, music, or film, the arts are not merely pastimes, but foundations for personal growth and expression.

O children of wisdom, let this be your guiding principle: embrace the arts—the stories, the films, the music—that shape your understanding of the world and of yourself. Seek out the moments of joy and learning, even in the seemingly simple pleasures of life. The experiences of your youth are the bedrock upon which you will build your future, and the lessons you learn today will shape the artist, the thinker, and the creator you will become. Just as Sahl fondly remembers his matinees, so too will you look back on the things that nourished your soul with gratitude and wonder, knowing that they were the stepping stones to a future of creative expression and self-discovery.