My family was living in a combination House and Grocery Store on Bienville Avenue in New Orleans, LA when Little Fella (me) was born in 1941.
In 1955 our family moved to Uptown on Magazine Street. The reason for the move was so my Father could take over ownership of my Grandfather’s Grocery Store and Grandpa could retire.
Less than 2 months after we moved my Aunt Josie (also my Godmother) announced that she was going to take Little Fella and his Little Cousin Henry to see Yul Brynner in The King and I in a fancy downtown theatre.
I certainly appreciated Aunt Josie’s Birthday Gift but I was confused by her choice of Movies. I kept thinking, “Where are the cowboys?” Henry was probably confused also but he would watch any movie chosen by any aunt of ours as long as he got free popcorn.
We were watching and munching our way deep into the movie when Aunt Josie jumped up and announced that we had to leave right away! Little did we know she and we had to be someplace at a time and place which we did not know about and she and we were running out of time to get there on time.
Little Fella was a little shocked because we were only about 15 minutes away from the end of the movie and he was sure the cowboys would be riding into the movie any minute now.
Aunt Josie was not to be deterred. She ushered us out in an agitated state and the next thing I knew she had paid the required 21 Cents for the 3 of us to ride on the Street Car and we were on our way to my new Uptown House.
Shortly after arriving home I found out the reason for Aunt Josie’s agitation. A Surprise Birthday Party had been arranged to take place in Grandpa’s Back Yard and friends from the Old Neighborhood had been imported to fill up Grandpa’s Back Yard.
I acted surprised because I was surprised.
The Late Paul Harvey is visiting with me today and he just shouted out in his late booming voice, “And Now You Know the Rest of the Story!”
The Bottom Line of the Rest of the Story is, to this very day, Little Fella Has Not Seen the End of The King and I. I have often wondered if King Yul and Anna lived Happily Ever After.
Would I kid u?
Smartfella
Lagniappe: A Fella Wow Fact ... Yul Brynner played the role of the king in The King and I 4,625 times...Wow!
Grandpa’s Big House Was Across The Street From Little Fella’s Little House
