Barbie Capulet

Barbie Capulet

Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet was released to great acclaim in 1968.  I saw it at the Paramount Theater in Halifax and was completely undone by the tragic story of the star-crossed lovers.

As the story unfolded, sniffs were heard throughout the darkened theater followed by muffled sobs.  The music rose to a crescendo (amazing score by Nino Rota)  and by the time the astoundingly beautiful Olivia Hussey stabbed herself in the heart the soaring soundtrack had been drowned out by the audience's anguished wails.

I was not immune to the hysteria.  The lights came up and the tears continued to pour down my cheeks.  I went to the ladies' room to wash my face.  One of the ushers was standing in front of the bank of sinks.  She was desperately trying to control her emotions.  She caught my eye in the mirror.  "I have seen this movie at least twenty times and I still can't stop crying."

Barbie Capulet is a lot more sensible than her sister Juliet and a lot less emotional than the usher and me.