No Shadow, Early Spring

Reuters photo 

Punxsutawney Phil failed to see his shadow, and, according to legend, spring will come early. The Groundhog Day tradition in Pennsylvania is over a century old and was famous enough to merit a mention in high school history books of the 1960's.

However, Groundhog Day's popularity really took off in 1993, when what was received originally as a lighthearted movie of the same name became regarded as "one of the best films of the past 40 years." (For the record, your humble observer led some discussion groups during the 1990's on the philosophical issues raised by Groundhog Day.)

Roger Ebert:

"Groundhog Day" is a film that finds its note and purpose so precisely that its genius may not be immediately noticeable. It unfolds so inevitably, is so entertaining, so apparently effortless, that you have to stand back and slap yourself before you see how good it really is.