Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies Now Playing guide for upcoming films that I can't miss. The highlights are posted here for your reading and viewing pleasure! (All listed times are Eastern Standard, check your local listings or TCM.com for actual air times in your area. Each day's schedule begins at 6:00 a.m.; if a film airs between midnight and 6 a.m. it is listed on the previous day's programming schedule.)
Doris Day has had no shortage of love on TCM, so if you are regular viewer, you've probably seen most of the films featured this month. This time the Star of the Month films are being shown in a semi-marathon, every night in primetime April 2 through April 6; and each night is themed to a different genre of film or period in Day's career. While she's probably most closely associated with light comedy, Day also made several impressive dramatic films and, of course plenty of musicals to highlight her lovely voice. Did you know that Doris Day is still holds the box-office record for top female star of all-time? Her continued popularity is a bit surprising, but then I can't think of a female star today who could fit into Day's shoes. Maybe Reese Witherspoon? I happen to find Ms. Day delightful in all her films, but I'm especially fond of her musical comedies co-starring Gordon McRae. If you are a fan of Meet Me in St. Louis (and why wouldn't you be?), you may like On Moonlight Bay (1951) and it's sequel By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953) which follows the ups and downs of a family in early 20th century small-town America.
4/2, 9:45 PM - By the Light of the Silvery Moon
4/2, 1:15 AM - On Moonlight Bay
4/13, 6 AM-5:45 PM - Directed by Stanley Donen
Friday the 13th is a lucky day this month, bringing a full day of films directed by former dancer/choreographer Stanley Donen. Donen has directed some of my favorite movies of all-time with Singin' in the Rain dancing to the top of the list. He's rightly known for his musicals which always have vibrant energy, exuberant dancing, and unexpected surprises. Stand-outs in today's line-up include On the Town (6 AM), Royal Wedding (7:45 AM), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (2:15 PM), and It's Always Fair Weather (4 PM). In the non-musical camp, there's also a jarringly beautiful 19-year-old Elizabeth Taylor in Love is Better Than Ever (11 AM) and Fearless Fagan (9:30 AM) which offers a rare starring role for goofy supporting player Carleton Carpenter.
4/15: Silent Sunday with Harold Lloyd
12 AM, Ask Father (1919)
12:20 AM, Among These Present (1921)
1 AM, Haunted Spooks (1920)
1:30 AM, Get Out and Get Under (1920)
Like most movie fans, I recognized Harold Lloyd as the bespectacled silent comic hanging from the hand of a giant clock in Safety Last!, but until recently I wasn't too aware of his work beyond that. Well, sometimes you just need to be told that something is good for you, that it is essential, to give you that push to seek it out. For me, that push finally came from a TCM short about Lloyd presented by Bill Irwin. The clips of Lloyd made me laugh and gasp out loud, and I was truly impressed by his agile, inventive stunts. Those snippets gave me more genuine surprise and delight than most of the feature films I saw last year. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of Harold Lloyd!
4/20: Spring Break Ski Bums
8 PM - Ski Party (1965)
10 PM - Winter A-Go-Go (1965)
12 AM - Get Yourself a College Girl (1964)
TCM is celebrating Spring Break with several night of films hosted by Ben Mankiewicz and Tom Lisanti, author of Hollywood Surf and Beach Movies: The First Wave 1959-1969. I'm not feeling "swimsuit-ready" just yet, so I'll be clinging to winter with 3 films about snowy ski retreats.
4/22: Robert Bresson Double-Feature
2 AM - Diary of a Country Priest (1951)
4:15 AM - A Man Escaped (1956)
One of my favorite film podcasts is Filmspotting based out of Chicago. I often seek out films which they mention on the show, especially their "marathons" of movies by one director or of a singular genre. For the past few weeks, the fellas at Filmspotting have been discussing the work of French director Robert Bresson, including the two films showing tonight. On the surface, the subjects couldn't be more different -- a young priest in ailing health and a prisoner intent on escape -- however, both are stories of one man's internal struggles. Bresson's films are unique for their extreme minimalist style, nearly expressionless performances by non-actors, and use of natural sound rather than music. Usually that description wouldn't have me racing to the TV, but based on the high degree of respect Bresson has received from the film community, I am intrigued.
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