Classic Movie Picks: April

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.)

4/3: Rarely-Seen Gems
8 PM – Fragments (2010)
10 PM – Unseen Cinema (2006)
Fragments is a collection of restored segments from “lost” silents and early sound films, including a clip of Emil Jannings’ Oscar-winning performance in The Way of All Flesh (1927). As many as 80% of the films made before 1930 are thought to be lost forever, mostly due to badly-preserved film stock. This compilation is as much a celebration of the important work of film archivists as it is to the art of film itself. Unseen Cinema is another treat for cinephiles, featuring examples of avant-garde cinema by filmmakers in the US and Europe from 1894 to 1941.
BONUS PICK: 4/17, 8PM – The Mysterious House of Dr. C (1976)
This film, part of TCM’s Lost and Found series spotlighting films that have long been unseen or unavailable, is an American remake of a Spanish adaptation of the ballet Coppelia in which an inventor creates a beautiful mechanical doll.

4/6, 1 PM: American Madness (1932)
This is a film by Frank Capra which deserves to be better-known. Walter Huston stars as banker Tom Dixon, who must fight to protect his customers from panic and the bank’s Board of Directors in the face of the Depression. The tense scene of a panic-fueled run on the bank is especially memorable. Capra recycled some of the ideas from this film, such as Dixon’s basic business philosophy, 14 years later in It’s a Wonderful Life.

4/10: In Memory of Elizabeth Taylor
6 AM – Lassie Come Home (1943)
7:30 AM – National Velvet (1944)
10 AM – Conspirator (1949)
11:30 AM – Father of the Bride (1950)
1:15 PM – Father’s Little Dividend (1951)
2:45 PM – Raintree County (1957)
6 PM – Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
8 PM – Butterfield 8 (1960)
10 PM – Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
12:30 AM – Giant (1956)
4 AM – Ivanhoe (1952)
Like many, I was saddened by the recent death of Elizabeth Taylor. She was one of the last great stars of the studio era, and one of the first who achieved even more celebrity due to her turbulent personal life. However, younger generations may know her better for her iconic (I’m not joking) commercials for White Diamonds perfume. They may not understand how her dazzling beauty fascinated moviegoers in the 1950s, or how her undeniable talent kept audiences’ attention for nearly 70 years. Today’s tribute includes many of Taylor’s career high-points, from her early triumph in National Velvet to her Oscar-winning roles in Butterfield 8 and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?. If you only know Taylor as a pop culture figure, today is a great opportunity to discover her films. And if you're already a fan, then maybe there's something here you havne't seen before. I am especially fond of the heart-warming Father of the Bride and it’s sequel Father’s Little Dividend, but I’ll also be tuning in for the rarely-shown spy thriller Conspirator.
Other Elizabeth Taylor films this month:
4/1, 2AM – Secret Ceremony (1968)
4/4, 12 AM – Raintree County (1957)
4/6, 2:45 AM – Little Women (1949)
4/16, 2 PM – National Velvet (1944)

4/15: Prison Break!
8 PM – The Wooden Horse (1950)
10 PM – The Colditz Story (1955)
12 AM – The One That Got Away (1958)
I love a good “prison break” movie, Grand Illusion and The Great Escape are two of my all-time favorites. Many of the classic Hollywood prison breaks take place in POW camps during WWI and WWII, which mitigates any sense of wrongdoing on the part of our escaping heroes – they’re breaking out so we can win the war! Tonight’s lineup starts with two such films about Allied POWs, one incorporating gymnastics and the other taking place at a special prison for high-risk escapees. The third film of the night breaks the mold as it is about the only German POW to escape the British during WWII, and told with an air of neutrality uncommon to this genre.
(Note: The April edition of Now Playing lists Breakout (1959) at 12 AM; however, the TCM website lists The One That Got Away, so I’ve chosen to go with what I assume is the more current web schedule.)

4/29: Royal Romance
8 PM – Royal Wedding (1951)
10 PM – Roman Holiday (1953)
12:15 AM – The Glass Slipper (1955)
2 AM – The Swan (1956)
4 AM – The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (1927)
In honor of the impending marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton, (almost) all of tonight’s films involve romance between a royal and a commoner. The exception is Royal Wedding, the romantic mismatch here is between an American and a Brit; however, it is set in London during the 1948 wedding of Prince William’s grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip. I’m especially looking forward to The Glass Slipper, a musical adaptation of Cinderella showcasing Leslie Caron’s dancing alongside a fine supporting cast of non-dancers including Michael Wilding, Keenan Wynn, Estelle Winwood, and Elsa Lanchester.

On Other Websites...

by Lani

A new film adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel Jane Eyre is now in limited release. Despite a story which centers on the May-December romance between a plain governess and her grumpy, unattractive employer, this story has been brought to the screen a surprising number of times, both on film and television. If you are wondering how the latest version compares, check out this list courtesy of Slate, which analyzes each film based on casting and "creep" factor.

And speaking of dubious literary adaptations, Red Riding Hood is also now in theatres. This film, from Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke, reworks the fairytale about a girl, a grandmother, and a wolf as a story of teenage hormones run amok. I personally find the concept of this movie to be a bit ridiculous, but I haven't seen it. Roger Ebert has seen it, has found it wanting, and has written a suitably hilarious review.

On a more somber note, Jane Russell, Hollywood's brunette bombshell of the 40s and 50s, died on February 28. Many of Russell's film roles were little more than a showcase for her voluptuous figure, and consequently, she didn't have much of a chance to develop into a serious actress. However, her natural warmth, intelligence, and wit shine through and make even the flimsiest vehicles worth watching. Her depth of character and feisty spirit are eloquently conveyed in her obituary on TCM.com. If you've never seen Jane Russell film, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), co-starring Marilyn Monroe, is a great place to start.

Classic Movie Picks: March

by Lani

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.)

3/4, 12 PM – Between Two Worlds (1944)
This fantasy story about 10 passengers on a boat to the afterlife is a unique example of the World War II-era “communal effort” film, in which people from disparate backgrounds must band together for a common goal – in this case reaching the hereafter. The cast includes John Garfield and Eleanor Parker in early lead performances.

3/6, 10 PM – The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother (1975)
This film introduces us to Sigerson Holmes, the little-known younger brother of Sherlock, who feels he must constantly prove himself to be smarter than his famous brother. Sigerson is played by Gene Wilder, who also wrote and directed this film. His solemn need to outdo Sherlock (just once in his life!) would be enough to make me laugh, but the presence of the sublimely funny Madeline Kahn pretty much guarantees it.

3/10, 6 PM – Living in a Big Way (1947)
Gene Kelly is probably my all-time favorite movie star. So, while I love watching his famous musicals over and over again, I also like discovering his lesser-known films like this early “semi-musical” about a returning GI getting to know his war bride. Though the film was not originally intended to be a musical, Kelly and enlisted Stanley Donen to help create 3 inventive musical numbers, including one in which Kelly “duets” with a dog.
BONUS: 3/14, 9 AM – The Cross of Lorraine (1944)
Another Kelly “deep cut,” this film about Allied POWs in France allowed Gene to stretch his dramatic chops in a non-dancing role.

3/13: Saint Joan
8 PM – Joan of Arc (1948) starring Ingrid Bergman
10:30 PM – Saint Joan (1957) starring Jean Seberg
12:30 AM – The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) starring Renee Falconetti
2 AM – Le Proces de Jeanne d’Arc (1962) starring Florence Carrez
Tonight’s schedule appeals to the film nerd in me - 4 different approaches to the same basic story, starring 4 diverse actresses portraying the same historical figure. Any film students out there in need of a term paper topic? How about “Saint or Sinner: Depictions of Joan of Arc in Film” - you can do the bulk of the research in one night! I’m particularly interested in The Passion of Joan of Arc, a silent film directed by Carl Dreyer. Renee Falconetti’s performance as Joan is still celebrated for its emotional intensity and it is almost all achieved through close-ups of her face.
BONUS: 3/13, 3:15 AM - The Story of Mankind (1957)
When scientists develop a world-destroying weapon, The Spirit of Man (Ronald Colman) must argue before The Supreme Tribunal in favor of the survival of the human race. The film is ultimately a hodge-podge of sketches about historical events, but it’s worth a watch for the eclectic cast of Hollywood stars – including Hedy Lamarr as Joan of Arc, Francis X. Bushman as Moses, Dennis Hopper as Napoleon, and Harpo Marx as Isaac Newton.

3/19, 6 AM – The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964)
In this musical biography, Debbie Reynolds plays Molly Brown, an orphan who set out to find a rich husband, struck gold in Colorado, and then made headlines as a survivor of the sinking of the Titanic. Reynolds had to fight for this role, the studio and director initially wanted Shirley MacLaine; however, she proved she was the perfect choice when Molly Brown became a big hit and earned several Oscar nominations, including Best Actress for Debbie (the only nomination of her career).

3/29, 8 PM – Dinner at Eight (1934)
With this film about a classy dinner party gone awry producer David O. Selznick set out to surpass 1932’s all-star showcase Grand Hotel, produced by MGM’s previous head of production Irving Thalberg. Jean Harlow (TCM’s Star of the Month for March) nearly steals the film among a cast which included Marie Dressler, Wallace Beery, Billie Burke, and 2 Barrymores – Lionel & John. Selznick and director George Cukor championed relative newcomer Harlow for the part of a brassy wife of a tycoon and it paid off. This film made Harlow, and her white satin evening dress, a huge star.

3/29: Pete & Dud
2:45 AM – 30 is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia (1967)
4:15 AM - The Bed Sitting Room (1969)
This double feature showcases the talents of former comedy partners Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. 30 is a Dangerous Age… is a comedy about a man who tries to achieve his dreams – writing a musical & getting married – in the 6 weeks leading up to his 30th birthday. In addition to starring in the film, Moore wrote the original story and also composed and conducted the music. This film may have been an attempt by Moore to come out of the shadow of his partnership with Cook, their best-known film Bedazzled came out the previous year. Moore and Cook reunited in The Bed Sitting Room, a surreal farce about the aftermath of World War III.

3/31, 10:30 PM – The Last of Sheila (1973)
A must for mystery fans, this complex whodunit set among the California jet-set, was a flop at the box-office, but has since acquired a cult following. Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim and actor Anthony Perkins co-wrote the screenplay, drawing upon their shared love of game-playing and puzzles.