Father's Day 18 June 1995 was a special day. Mom and Dad got a pair of tickets to a local distributor's screening of Pocahontas before its official release in Hong Kong theaters. They decided to sneak me in, and were not without accomplices. Many parents brought their kids too!

The day was special because it was my very FIRST trip to a movie theater! Boy, it's dark inside. (Would that hurt my eyes? Just remembering my parents saying I should turn lights on while I watch TV.) Also, so many people, and I couldn't even see any of their faces.

Captain John Smith Scouting the Virginian Hinterland

I sat on Dad and Mom's laps in turn as I was too short to see the screen sitting on my seat. I just loved the scenes with Pocahontas, Meeko the Racoon, Flit the Hummingbird, Captain John Smith, and Grandmother Willow. I lost my patience when the Powhatans or the greedy John Ratcliffe and his people popped up and started to talk.

Grandmother Willow Offering Advice and Wisdom	Meeko and Flit

Mom was wary that I wouldn't be able to sit through over an hour in the theater. I would either lose patience and yell to get out or, more likely, fall asleep in the dark. But fortunately the movie was shown in the morning. I was at my most energetic. And how could I possibly fall asleep after a big breakfast of toast and orange juice before the show? I was actually quite attentive and made far too much noise during the movie - I kept on asking what's that and where's Pocahontas. Dad had to bid me to speak softly all the time.

Chief Powhatan, Father of Pocahontas

Before long, I was humming to the tune of the very beautiful songs (especially Colors of the Wind), and I learned to say hello and goodbye with a circular hand motion the same way Pocahontas did it. I sat up straight and shouted "What happened?" when the young British soldier Thomas shot and killed Kocoum, the stern Powhatan warrior. As people assembled at dawn for the battle, I got excited and pointed to the big silver screen. I just hated people fighting. And I loved Pocahontas all the more because she courageously stopped people from fighting.

When it's all over, Mom and Dad gave me high commendation for being ALMOST quiet throughout the show, and we're off to the library and meeting Dad's dad (yes, my grandpa) for Father's Day lunch.

Dad decided he should chronicle this very special Father's Day for me. Thank you, Dad!

I hope you enjoy the images from the movie shown on this page.

And for those who are interested in exploring the background of this movie, Dad suggests this Feb 9, 1995 LA Times article titled Disney's History Lesson to start. Find out how Pocahontas got her cover-girl looks from this interesting Entertainment Weekly report. And how about an interpretative, timely review Princess of the Spirit by Richard Corliss from TIME?

Congratulations to Pocahontas in scoring a double at the 68th Oscar Awards for the Best Music in the Original Musical/Comedy category and yes, of course, the Best Original Song with Colors of the Wind.... Can I find a sound clip of the song from the Net? I'll try....

If you have seen Pocahontas, feel free to tell me what you like in my Message Book.

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