My favorite movie of all time is the 1965 film “A Thousand Clowns,” starring Jason Robards and Martin Balsam. Most people I know have never seen it.
I first watched it 20 years ago. I have it on DVD and VHS – a bootleg copy in 2009 from a friend who worked at a TV station, since it wasn’t even available on DVD at the time.
I’ve watched this movie probably 100 times.
We are talking a borderline obsession.
About five years ago, my boyfriend agreed to watch the film that I so amorously talked up, quoted and droned on about. He loved it. I think that was when I knew I loved him.
Fast-forward two years: my not-much-for-the-holidays guy gave me the sweetest gift I’ve received to date.
He invited me over to his place one evening and said he had a present for me, and that I should close my eyes. When I opened them, a very nervous boyfriend was holding a ukulele, with a hat that looked similar to the one that Jason Robards’ character Murray Burns wears in the movie.
I wasn’t sure what he was doing, or what the present could possibly be. I’m used to my presents coming in a box or gift bag.
He proceeded to play and sing the old ‘20s tune “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby.” That, my friends, is the song Murray plays with his 12-year-old nephew, Nick, and then plays to let the viewer know he’s turning his attention away from his nephew to woo the new lady in his life. I love that song, and here was my boyfriend was playing it for me.
Let’s make this clear. He bought a ukulele, a special hat, learned to play said ukulele, learned a song from my favorite movie and sang it to me.
Hand to chest and deep breath now. Stand back ladies, he’s taken.
In the realm of gift-giving, where could you possibly go from there? Presents from my boyfriend since then have been nice – and greatly appreciated because they came from him. But I don’t think anything could be as sweet as that gift he gave me that night.
And I don’t need them to be. It was a truly thoughtful gift of love. He ended up giving me the ukulele, too. I’ve learned to play a few songs, including “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby.”
Molly Blosse is Jmore design and layout manager.
[box type=”shadow”]Read all the Jmore staff gift stories:
A True Hero’s Gift by Michael Olesker
Little Things Mean a Lot by Alan Feiler
A Teddy Bear Adventure by Amanda Krotki
Ungifted! By Simone Ellin
Speaking of unique gifts, also see: 8 Crazy Shopping Events[/box]
Top photo: Molly’s sweetest gift ever. (Photo by Molly Blosse)
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