Classic Movie Picks: October 2016

by Lani
Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies schedule 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.)

10/3, 8 PM - Jinnah (1998)
TCM Star of the Month for October is British actor Christopher Lee, a fitting honor since Lee is well-known for his horror films. He played Dracula (10 times!), Frankenstein's monster, the Mummy, and a host of other weirdos; sometimes he was even the hero, but there was generally a lot of blood involved. During his long career, Lee's imposing physical presence and booming voice meant he was often cast as a the bad guy - in fact he played a villain in the Star Wars series, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and opposite James Bond! 
In tonight's film Lee takes center stage in a very different role portraying Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the modern nation of Pakistan. The casting of Lee was controversial; not, as you might think, because Lee was a white actor playing an Asian character, but because of his association with Count Dracula. However, audiences in Pakistan ultimately responded positively to Lee's portrayal and the film is broadcast every year on Pakistan's independence day. Unfortunately, it seems that the film never got a proper theatrical release anywhere, so audiences outside Pakistan haven't really had a chance to see it. Tonight's air date is the North American premiere. As a fan of Sir Christopher Lee, I look forward to seeing what he felt was his most important role.

BONUS: 10/24, 4:30 AM - Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972)
My official pick may be an art house biopic, but I can't deny my love for Lee's weird horror movies - especially the ones with frequent partner/foil Peter Cushing. The two actors first appeared opposite each other as Dracula and Van Helsing in 1958's Horror of Dracula. Though Lee would play Dracula several more times over the next 14 years (ruining his reputation as a serious actor in the eyes of the entire nation of Pakistan in the process), this was Cushing's first appearance as Van Helsing since the '58 film. This time around the setting is contemporary "swinging" London where the Count has been resurrected and is hunting the descendants of his old nemesis.
 

10/11, 8 PM - Hollywood Canteen (1944)
The Hollywood Canteen was a special nightclub for serviceman during WWII, where they could get a hot meal, dance with a pretty girl, and meet real film stars before shipping out. Actress Bette Davis was the driving force behind the Canteen, supervising its construction, recruiting fellow stars to volunteer there, and managing it with her agent Jules Stein. Two years after it opened, the Canteen got its own film - a romantic comedy about a young G.I. who falls for starlet Joan Leslie (playing herself). The story was really an excuse to pack the film with star cameos by Davis, Canteen co-founder John Garfield, Joan Crawford, and Jack Benny (and many more), and musical numbers from the Andrews Sisters and Roy Rogers. However, it's an interesting glimpse into how Hollywood contributed to the war effort. With its patriotic message and star power, the film was a big success at the box office and a portion of the profits went back to the Canteen. 
Davis was rightfully proud of the success of the Canteen and her contribution is recognized during tonight's programming theme of "Actresses Who Made a Difference," part of TCM's month-long spotlight series on Trailblazing Women. If you are interested in learning more about the history of the real Hollywood Canteen (good and bad), check out episode #27 of the You Must Remember This podcast, "Bette Davis and the Hollywood Canteen."

10/19: Presidents on Film
8 PM - Fail-Safe (1964)
10 PM - Advise & Consent (1962)
12:30 AM - Seven Days in May (1964)
2:45 AM - Gabriel Over the White House (1933)
With Election Day looming, you may be suffering from presidential fatigue; however, I think it's the perfect time to watch these political films...if only to remind you to vote on November 8th! Each of tonight's films depicts a President under pressure: trying to fend off World War III in Fail-Safe, pushing through a controversial Cabinet nominee in Advise & Consent, as the target of a military coup perpetrated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Seven Days in May, and (following a visit from archangel Gabriel) crusading against government corruption and organized crime in Gabriel Over the White House. Depending on the day, any of these scenarios seems unfortunately all too plausible.

 
10/28: Universal Horror
8 PM - Dracula (1931)
9:30 PM - The Mummy (1932)
11 PM - The Invisible Man (1933)
12:15 AM - The Wolf Man (1941)
On Halloween night, TCM will feature several Hammer Studios horror films of the 50s and 60s starring Christopher Lee; however, tonight, you can see the Universal Studios horror films of the 30s which inspired those later films, even more so than any literary sources. The Universal films created the iconic looks of classic literary characters like Dracula, The Invisible Man, and Frankenstein's monster; while also adding new creatures to their rogues gallery like the Mummy and the Wolf Man. If you're in the mood for an atmospheric, spooky chiller - these films deliver. However, if you're in the mood for a laugh, there's plenty to giggle about here, too - from far-fetched plots to hammy acting.

BONUS: 1:30 AM - The Black Cat (1934)
This creepy, but stylish thriller was "inspired by" Edgar Allan Poe's short story of the same title (and that's where the inspiration ended) and featured the first pairing of horror stars Karloff and Lugosi. The two actors are not playing supernatural monsters this time, but portray a sadistic cult leader and a man out for revenge. The film also features David Manners, the young hero who had previously faced off against both Lugosi in Dracula and Karloff in The Mummy. 
 

Classic Movie Picks: September 2016

by Lani

Each month, I scour the Turner Classic Movies schedule 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.)

Cary Grant Deep Cuts
9/4, 8 PM - People Will Talk (1951)
9/11, 10 AM - Mr. Lucky (1943)
Cary Grant is one of my favorite actors and I'm taking the opportunity this month to catch up with two of his lesser known films. In People Will Talk, Grant plays a doctor at a university medical school whose unconventional methods cause alarm among his more conservative colleagues. His problems at work come to a head when he falls in love with a patient, an unwed mother who attempts suicide (Jeanne Crain), while also facing charges of misconduct from his university's board. Because the film features topics like single motherhood, suicide, and abortion, it faced opposition from censors; however, the producers felt that Grant would give the film an air of moral uprightness which would override any disapproval of those taboo topics. Which is kind of ironic since many of Grant's early roles were cads and connivers (such as in Sylvia Scarlett and Topper), characters which he always seemed to relish more than the upstanding leading man types. In the wartime romance Mr. Lucky, Grant is far from morally upright as the scheming owner of a gambling ship. Though he is changed for the better when he falls for an altruistic heiress (Laraine Day) who is raising funds for war relief. So, I guess in the end he's not so bad after all.

Salute to Slapstick
9/7, 9:15 PM - A Dog's Life (1918)
9/14, 12:45 AM - The Inspector General (1949)
9/28, 1:15 AM - Strange Brew (1983)
TCM has scheduled a month-long salute to slapstick comedy throughout film history. You can get the full schedule here, but I've selected three films spanning from the silent era to the 1980s, proving that some gags never stop being funny. 
In A Dog's Life, Charlie Chaplin, as his Little Tramp character, takes in a stray after saving it from a pack of attacking dogs. As in many of the Little Tramp stories, he also meets a pretty girl who is down on her luck and uses comedy to depict the struggle of poverty. Chaplin is said to have auditioned a dachshund, Pomeranian, poodle, Boston terrier, and bulldog before deciding that a mutt would best fit the part. The dog co-star "Mutt" was adopted by Chaplin and spent the rest of his life at the star's studio; so, this dog's life was a sweet one.
Danny Kaye's vocal and physical dexterity are put through their paces in The Inspector General, in which Kaye stars as Georgi, an illiterate peasant mistakened for the titular agent of Emperor Napoleon sent to uncover corruption in a Hungarian village. The naive Georgi soon finds himself in over his head as villagers alternately beg for his help, offer bribes, and even plan his assassination. If you are a fan of Kaye, this is a must-see.
In Strange Brew, a uniquely Canadian riff on Hamlet, brothers Bob and Doug Mackenzie (Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis) help a young woman reclaim control of her family brewery. Along the way, they must face off against an army of hockey goons, space age super lasers, and a shady brewmeister played by Max von Sydow. At the time, the Mackenzie Brothers were popular characters from the SCTV sketch comedy show and Moranis and Thomas's comedy album, Great White North. It's considered a classic of the so-stupid-it's-funny brand of comedy, while also being a decent interpretation of Shakespeare's play.

Midnight in the Disney Vault
9/8, 4:15 AM - Midnight Madness (1980)
This month brings another trip into the Disney Vault hosted by film critic and Disney historian Leonard Maltin. The line-up contains 6 features and 2 shorts, including classic kid flick Treasure Island. You can see the full schedule here. I'm particularly interested in Midnight Madness, a live-action feature aimed at a slightly older audience than Disney's usual kiddie fare (rated PG!). The story follows teams of college students competing in an all-night scavenger hunt with Los Angeles as the game board. It's an "into the night" story meets wacky race in the tradition of It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World and The Great Race, and perhaps the first (and only) Disney film to include an extended sequence at the Pabst Blue Ribbon brewery. It was the first film for David Naughton (then famous for the "I'm a Pepper" Dr. Pepper ad campaign) as the Yellow Team Leader, as well as Michael J. Fox playing Naughton's younger brother. Also, look for Paul Reubens, a.k.a. Pee-Wee Herman, in a small part. 

9/29, 8 AM - Adventure (1945)
Adventure was promoted relentlessly with the outstanding tagline: "Gable's back and Garson's got him!" The line was referring to the fact that former "King of Hollywood" Clark Gable was returning to the screen after several years away due to the untimely death of his wife, Carole Lombard, followed by two years of WWII service in the Army Air Corps and a vow not to act until the war in Europe ended. His comeback vehicle was this dramatic romance (not a straightforward adventure story as the title might lead you to believe) about a hard-living merchant marine who finds true love with a straitlaced librarian. Cast as the librarian was Greer Garson, the current Queen of Hollywood. She had made a name for herself in several hits while Gable was away, including the wartime drama Mrs. Miniver, for which she won the Best Actress Academy Award. 
In an interesting bit of trivia, Garson's first film was 1939's Goodbye, Mr. Chips, opposite Robert Donat; he would notably go on to win that year's Best Actor Oscar, beating out Gable's iconic performance as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind. Donat gives a great performance as mild-mannered school teacher Mr. Chipping, which is elevated in large part by Garson's effervescent presence as his beloved Mrs. Chipping. 
The two stars of Adventure apparently did not get along - it was a classic clash of opposites, not unlike their characters in the film. However, they both agreed that they hated the tagline and ad campaign. According to one Gable biography, "Clark hated being called 'Gable,' hated being 'got' by Garson, and hated the repetition of the slogan." See for yourself if these opposites believably attract.

9/29: Gene Wilder Tribute
8 PM - Role Model: Gene Wilder (2008), with encore at 11:15 PM
9:15 PM - Young Frankenstein (1974)
12:30 AM - Start the Revolution Without Me (1970)
2:15 AM - The Frisco Kid (1979)
4:30 AM - Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
TCM will celebrate the career of the late Gene Wilder with a primetime lineup including his first feature film, an iconic Mel Brooks comedy, and two underseen gems. They will also re-air a TCM original production from 2008, Role Model: Gene Wilder, in which Alec Baldwin interviews Wilder about his life and career. 
Wilder was a versatile actor who, though known for broad comedy, approached each role very seriously and tried to inject his performance with the unexpected - think of his famous entrance as Willie Wonka. He was a wonderful physical comedian and one of the great shouters in cinema history, expertly moving from calm to hysteria in explosive shifts. But he could also convey multitudes through silence, understanding the effect of a well-timed pause and aided by his big expressive eyes. At turns impish and mischievous, gentle and kind, and sometimes a little bit sexy (I can't be the only one who sees it), Wilder's onscreen personas often echoed the sweetness and kindness which were, by all accounts, at the heart of his own personality.
In Wilder's first film, Bonnie and Clyde, he made an impression in a small role as a nervous undertaker. His star turn would come that same year in The Producers directed by Mel Brooks, a role which earned Wilder a Best Supporting Actor Academy Award nomination. His collaboration with Brooks would continue over several films, including Young Frankenstein for which the two men would receive Oscar nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay. The role of Frederick Frankenstein (it's pronounced Frohn-ken-steen) gives Wilder a chance to showcase not only his comic timing, but a bit of range as the young doctor goes from reluctant heir to full-on mad scientist. 
The historical farce Start the Revolution Without Me gives Wilder a chance to flex his acting muscles in a dual role. In this story inspired by Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, Wilder and Donald Sutherland play two pairs of mismatched twins - that's one Gene and one Donald per set - on opposite sides of the French Revolution. When the twins start getting mistaken for one another, well...hilarity ensues. Another of Wilder's underseen comedies is The Frisco Kid, a "Jewish Western" in which he plays a rabbi who befriends an outlaw (Harrison Ford, fresh off Star Wars) on their way to San Francisco. It's a great role for Wilder, and though the film got mixed reviews at the time his performance was singled out for praise.
And now please enjoy Gene Wilder demonstrating the art of the comedic pause in this clip from Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sex...