How many have seen the funniest movie, Grumpy Old Men?”

Grumpy Old Men was my step-dad’s favorite movie. He actually laugh and laugh while watching it over and over again. For those who knew my dad, he wasn’t much for laughing. He had a very stern look on his face. Not much can make him laugh!

Walter Matthau was perfect for the movie. If you have ever seen him in other movies, he played similar roles. He had that looks that made him a perfect fit for the movie. He was in such movie as “The Bad News Bears” with Tatum O’Neal, “The Odd Couples”, and “Dennis the Menace.”

When producers were looking for an actor to portray Oscar in the “The Odd Couples” series, they had to find an actor that was somewhat similar to Walter Matthau. They found that with Jack Klugman, playing opposite Tony Randall.

The remake of that series with the late Matthew Perry was an utter disaster, because Matthew Perry couldn’t light a candle to Walter Matthau and Jack Klugman.

Of course, the pairing of Walter Matthau with Jack Lemmon was just awesome. They were so different but yet so much a like. They had great chemistry together.

Did you know that Grumpy Old Men was filmed in Minnesota in January 1993, actually February 2 because of a lack of snowfall? The lake scene was shot at Lake Rebecca. The house was located at 1122 Hyacinth Ave East, St. Paul. Other filming location in Minnesota were: Red Wing for it’s scenic overlook, Center City for the church, Faribault, MN for it’s opening credits, and Stillwater, MN. A good location choice for filming the movie.

Like I said earlier, my step-dad loved that movie. Some who knew him best would have to admit that he was a grumpy old man. It was hard to get him to laugh. He was very serious all the time. The only other time he actually laughed was when my oldest brother, told a joke after Rock Hudson got AIDS. The joke was: how to not get AIDS; “sit on your ass and keep your mouth shut.”

When dad spoke, us kids better listen or feels his wrath. You almost hated to be in the same room with him because you will be lectured big time.

The older I get the more I seems to be more like my dad; and it’s nothing to do with DNA. He had rubbed off on me. Believe me, that’s not always a good thing either.

I don’t know if it’s the fact that I’m getting older, or I worked at Kmart for 12 years, or the world had just gone crazy; or a combination of all 3. You could say that I’m turning into a grumpy old man, and I’m only 58. Some say that I have an attitude because of my grumpiness. Maybe I do or maybe the world had just gone crazy. You tell me! Some say that it’s not a Christian thing to be a grumpy old man who prefer a cabin in the woods.

The book that I’m holding up is called, “The Problem with Everything.” It’s about the culture war between the older generations and the younger generations. Believe me, this is nothing new! There has always been a culture war between the 2 generations, from the time when I was young to now.

I mean, we felt the older generations were stick in the mud like they think of us today. Growing up, inside, us kids were laughing at dad foolish way of thinking. We even had teachers who we felt were old and out of touch, just like dad. I mean, I didn’t much care for my English teacher, Mr. Nelson readings choices but now I have to admired him.

I’m sure that the younger generations probably think the same about us as we did when we were their age. And I’m sure that it will be the same for them as well, we hope.

I don’t think they could redo Grumpy Old Men. Hollywood would destroy that classic.

If you see me as a grumpy old man, don’t criticize me and suggest that I should ask the Lord to melt my cold, cold heart; but instead pray for this crazy world we live in. There’s probably a good reason why I’m the way I am. I mean, aren’t we all a little grumpy because of the way the world has become? What do you think?