Remembering Patricia Nolan-Hall, Our Classic Movie Friend

It is with deep regret that I write of the passing of a dear friend and special member of the classic film community.

Paddy was known to the blogging community as Caftan Woman, the name of her wonderful blog. Her knowledge of classic film and pop culture was vast and varied, her way with words and she befriended everyone who crossed her path.

This became poignantly evident when the classic film community sorrowfully mourned her loss on social media at the news of her passing.

Today, Jacqueline of Another Old Movie Blog and Patty of Lady Eve’s Reel Life are hosting The Caftan Woman Blogathon to honor Paddy’s memory for which I am writing this post.

As she had to so many others, Paddy played an important part in my blogging journey. As one of my first regular readers, I always knew she would show up in my comment section and I looked forward to hearing what she had to say about the film I was writing about.

Sometimes she would recall special memories of seeing an actor on the stage or share a personal story of her connection with a film. Whatever she shared, her words were always warm, encouraging, and insightful.

I wrote the following poem as a tribute to Paddy to thank her for what she’s meant to me and to our classic film community.

Our Classic Movie Friend

A special bond has formed though we have never met

As real as the wind, as true as the sea, one we can’t forget

This art we both hold dear has built a remarkable bridge

Into a place where we can share our hopes, our dreams, and fears

You touched our hearts with your kind words

You made us laugh and cry

You cheered us when we needed it most

With generosity, wisdom, and care

To thank you now for all you’ve done

Oh, how do we begin?

We’ll continue on your well trod path

To nurture and be kind

Thanks for the memories and the love you gave

We’re here because of you

We’re glad to have known you, we won’t ever forget

Our classic movie friend.

I’ve selected excerpts from Paddy’s blog illustrating who she was as a person. I hope you’ll treat yourself to Paddy’s words whether for the first time or 100th by clicking the links below.

You couldn’t find a better friend than Paddy. Here she shares insights about Ward Bond and Frank Faylen as Bert the cop and Ernie the taxi driver in It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and their friendship with George Bailey.

“We learn a lot about Bert and Ernie through their actions with George and we learn a lot about George through how he is with his friends. The friendship is deep and they are there for each other.”

Paddy wore her heart on her sleeve. Here she waxes eloquent about her love for Stage Fright, (1950) a film we shared a love for, despite unpopular opinion.

“The very thing that annoys some viewers about the film is the very thing that tickles me no end.”

Paddy’s joie de vivre was infectious. Here she lists her 5 favorite films from the 50’s, expounding with memories and anecdotes.

“I was born in the same year as What’s Opera, Doc?. Unlike this favorite Chuck Jones and Michael Maltese short, I was not placed on the National Film Registry in 1992…Twenty-odd years ago at a Blockbuster on a busy Friday evening, What’s Opera, Doc? was playing on the screen, soundless. A young fellow in the line-up and I began singing the parts, if not to the delight of the crowd, to our own.”

Paddy had razor sharp perception. Here she recalls her first viewing of Shane (1953) and the strong emotional reactions it elicited in her as a child.

“It started with the music, with Victor Young’s score.  I remember physically sitting up straighter in my seat.  The music had such a power and a melancholy and the screen was filled with such beautiful scenery that it pulled me into the story.  Years later when I read Shane I realized that I lived the movie the way the character of the young boy lived those weeks – observing, sensing, understanding.  I felt Shane’s loneliness, Joe’s ambitions, Marian’s conflict, Joey’s hero worship.  I felt Ryker’s frustration, Wilson’s swagger and Torrey’s bravado.  I had laughed and cried at movies before, but never had the emotions felt so crystallized.”

When faced with hardship, Paddy always “soldiered on.” Here she reflects on Chaplin’s bittersweet Modern Times (1936).

“I admit to getting a little weepy when Smile is played in the score, but I spent most of this movie smiling and chuckling and laughing out loud.”

If it’s been a while since giving “Smile” a listen, I encourage you to do so via this YouTube video and Nat King Cole’s velvety voice as I finish this tribute to our dear friend.

Paddy faced many obstacles in life from which she learned the value of keeping one’s chin up, the medicine of laughter, the power of a smile. I believe she would want us to do the same.

I’ve learned a lot from her and will always be grateful for her and her virtual smiles.

Please visit the rest of the tributes here and here.

My deepest condolences to Paddy’s family and friends.