Classic Movie Picks: November

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.)

This month TCM is showing two of their original documentaries from 2009. First up is Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me, featuring archival footage and film clips tracing the career of the famous lyricist. The doc debuts on 11/4 followed by Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, for which Mercer wrote the lyrics; it replays on 11/18 in honor of Mercer's birthday, along with 24 hours of films containing his songs. On 11/14, TCM will replay the excellent 1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year, an original doc about that legendary year in film which produced Gone with the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, Stagecoach, and many other beloved films.

Unofficially, TCM is also spotlighting Alfred Hitchcock this month. Catch thirteen Hitch classics, including all three collaborations with the ultimate "cool blonde" (and TCM Star of the Month) Grace Kelly.
11/2: Vertigo (8:00 PM), North by Northwest (10:15 PM)
11/7: Family Plot (10:00 AM)
11/9: Topaz (8:00 PM)
11/12: Dial M for Murder (8:00 PM), Rear Window (10:00 PM)
11/13: To Catch a Thief (8:00 AM)
11/14: Saboteur (8:00 PM)
11/16: Mr. and Mrs. Smith (4:15 PM)
11/23: The Man Who Knew Too Much [1934] (1:30 AM), Blackmail (3:00 AM), Jamaica Inn (4:30 AM)
11/26: To Catch a Thief (8:00 PM)
11/28: The Man Who Knew Too Much [1956] (2:00 PM)
11/30: Rear Window (2:15 AM)

Also this month:
11/7: Tonight's line-up highlights directorial debuts. I'm especially interested in The Duellists (1978) directed by Ridley Scott at 10 PM followed by Gumshoe (1971) directed by Stephen Frears.
11/15: Stay up late or wake up early to see A Matter of Life and Death (1947) at 4:00 AM. David Niven stars as an injured aviator who must argue before a heavenly court for the chance to go on living. Directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger bring a wonderful sense of fantasy and romance to this truly unique film.
11/20: An 11-film marathon dedicated to "society sleuth" The Falcon starts at 6:00 AM. The Falcon was first portrayed by the debonair George Sanders and the role was later taken over by Sanders's brother Tom Conway. The marathon includes 4 films starring Sanders and 7 starring Conway; however, they look and sound so alike that you may not notice the switch.