Universal Press

Disney's National Treasure Inspires Senior Citizens 

(UP Photo: Jim Powell) 

Disney's National Treasure inspires thousands of senior citizens to find "treasure" of their own.

Who said that old dogs could not learn new tricks? Definitely not Nicholas Cage, the leading actor in Disney's movie National Treasure 2. The movie has inspired thousands of U.S. senior citizens to come out of their retirement homes in search of their own "treasure". 

Due to the increasing failure of Social Security mixed with the rapid climb of inflation has experts claiming that over 1 million senior citizens will return to the work force this year in order to meet financial obligations. 

Rita Swinster, a retired pharmacist of South Carolina, began noticing her financial troubles last August. "Money was short and the cupboards were bare," claimed Swinster. "I had to find work and I had to find it quickly. McDonalds seemed like the only option I had. Nobody wanted to hire an ol' hag like me." 

Swinster, like thousands of other senior citizens surrendering thoughts of retirement, began reapplying for employment. McDonalds soon offered her a cashier position and she took it. The pay was minimal but Swinster needed every penny.

"I worked and worked. My back hurt and I didn't know how long I could last. It seemed as if there was no hope for me," Swinster said while discussing her employment at McDonalds. "This continued day in and day out until one day my grandchildren came to my house to visit me. They had brought with them the movie National Treasure 2 and I decided to watch it with them. I had no idea that it would change my perspective on life."  

She watched the movie with the grandchildren and soon started to realize that maybe McDonalds was not the only option available.

"Looking for hidden treasure seemed like a better alternative," commented Swinster. "You just go around looking for stuff and doing summersaults."

Swinster then organized a group of seven other senior citizens whom also faced financial woes. The group has since grown and currently consists of over 3,000 members nationwide. The group has yet to find anything of value, though they have found some round shaped rocks. 

Jon Turttletaub, producer and director of National Treasure 2, claims that the motion picture was not originally intended to inspire thousands of senior citizens to avoid normal forms of employment. He even went as far as to say, "I urge grandfathers and grandmothers everywhere to return to their jobs. Honestly, what are the odds of old people getting their hands on the Book of Secrets?"