To seek the pale, enchanted gold

So last night we watched The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. 'Badges? We don't need no stinkin' badges!' Very gratifying to hear that line at last. It was on my list of Movies To See At Some Point In My Life, although I was disappointed not to get Bringing Up Baby. Blockbuster does not have the world's best selection when it comes to classics. This may be a good thing, though, as it will provide us a credible excuse to cancel our membership next month. 'We've found that your selection of classic movies just isn't comprehensive enough for our tastes' sounds so much better than, 'Well, our really cheap promotional-offer first month is up, and while it was fun while it lasted, we really don't want to live our lives watching this many movies, and certainly we don't want to pay for it at the higher rate.'

The movie offers a sober look at the effect of riches on mens' characters. In the beginning, washed up and at rock bottom, Humphrey Bogart's character tells an old prospector that he'd be content to make a small pile, in response to the prospector's warning that it's impossible to moderate your demands: gold gets a hold on a man and changes him. Bogart sounds so convinced that he'd be impervious to the lure. In fact there's a scene toward the beginning when a large sum of money comes into his hands, and he limits himself to that which is due him. A great instance of resisting temptation. But as the movie progresses, and wealth comes into the picture, it is astounding to see how the characters of the men alter. Suddenly what would have been a fortune when they were destitute seems like 'small beans,' and as their avarice grows, so does their mistrust and selfishness. It makes you wonder what that much money would do to you. Surely you'd be sensible and call it a day when you're ahead!