"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on current happenings:
Our monthly feature of “Classic Film Screenings from around the world” remains suspended as there are no reliable reports of future theatrical screenings during the Corona virus pandemic.
There are 21 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
‘Noiristas’, seeking a slick and twisty British neo noir from Hammer Studios, need look no further than Hidden Gem #35 Cash on Demand, released in 1961. This grippingly intense psychological crime thriller features a Scrooge-like bank manager played by Peter Cushing about to get his comeuppance after being introduced to a most superior officer (André Morell). Cash will indeed be demanded Monday, October 5 at 5am PST.
(From left) André Morell, Peter Cushing
Viktoriya Goldentul
After the dramatic seriousness of the above TCM recommendation, it might be nice to indulge in a light-hearted and charming Christmas holiday treat: Ernst Lubitsch's The Shop Around the Corner.
James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan
Beneath an inventive situation comedy veneer, however, there is a serious underlying message concerning relationships and how concepts often get in the way of a more fulfilling union based on care and concern for one another. The Shop Around the Corner, previously praised here, will open Wednesday, October 7 at (early morning) 1:45am PST.
My next TCM recommendation is Nora Prentiss portrayed by Ann Sheridan. This formidable film noir, previously reviewed here, will make its striking impression Thursday, October 8 at 4:45pm PST.
Kent Smith, Ann Sheridan
"Complaining about the far-fetched circumstances in films noir is like objecting to the lack of realism in a Picasso painting. What I mean is that lovers of these criminally rich cinematic delights oughtn’t to bother picking out the implausibilities, since they are practically a hallmark of noir's style."
I've written this before when introducing Split Second, a film noir that presented some rather unlikely occurring situations and it certainly applies to my next recommendation as well, starring Humphrey Bogart: Dark Passage. This wildly engrossing yarn combines the best of romance with the best of noir in the best location for both: San Francisco. Previously endorsed as a Blu-Ray release here, Bogart will make his dark passage on TCM Thursday, October 8 at 8:30pm PST.
That's San Francisco's Coit Tower on top of the hill behind Bogart
"And then I saw her - coming out of the sun. And I knew why Whit didn't care about that 40 grand."
Immediately following Dark Passage is another film noir from 1947: Out of the Past, one of the genre’s finest and most highly recommended here. She will arrive Thursday, October 8 at 10:30pm PST.
My next recommendation is one of those lesser known films noir with a most appropriate title: Impact. One can experience this captivating little cinematic explosive, previously reviewed here, Friday, October 9 at (early morning) 1:45am PST.
Ella Raines, Brian Donlevy
One of the horror genre’s most influential entries has to be George A. Romero’s 1968 cult classic Night of the Living Dead, a previous TCM recommendation here. The day to watch out for is Friday, October 9 at 9:15am PST and again Thursday, October 22 at 10am PST
Next on my list of films to watch is King Kong (1933), who's scheduled to make his grand entrance on Sunday, October 11 at 6pm PST. I have reviewed this motion picture with a focus on its musical score here.
In the U.K. town of Midwich, strange children with mysterious origins are behaving badly. Find out just how bad when the chilling Village of the Damned, previously reviewed here, airs Thursday, October 15 at 6:15pm PST.
After WW II, the great Douglas Slocombe became a camera operator for Ealing Studios and made a most auspicious debut as director of photography on perhaps the studio's finest: the horror movie Dead of Night.
Douglas Slocombe (February 10, 1913 - February 22, 2016)
His phenomenal work with light and shadows contributed as much creative artistry as any other element, especially considering that Dead of Night is a portmanteau with more than several directors coming and going. Slocombe, however, is our guide throughout the entire journey, ingeniously enveloping us in an ominous atmosphere informed by his tremendous creative aplomb. One has an opportunity to take this amazing journey with him (the film previously reviewed here) on TCM Friday, October 16 at (early morning) 5am PST.
MGM's 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain was not adapted from a theatrical production, though the film was later turned into one, being first presented on stage in 1983. Its abundant creativity, innovation and driving energy place this film at the top of all cinematic musicals ever produced. Singin' in the Rain has been reviewed as a past Blu-ray selection here and will joyously dance its way onto TCM Saturday, October 17 at (early morning) 5am PST.
My next TCM recommendation for the month is, for many experts, the final film noir released during the classification's classic time period (1940 - 1959), Orson Welles' stylistically aggressive Touch of Evil.
(From left) Orson Welles, Charlton Heston
I have previously written about how there came to be several different versions of this noir extravaganza especially as it concerns the ingenious opening sequence in Main Title Inspirations No. 2 Touch of Evil. Viewers can compare the introduction's bold visual display to the equally superlative use of sound at this film's conclusion when Touch of Evil airs Sunday, October 18 at 6:15pm PST.
Don't miss Nicholas Ray's character study In a Lonely Place with Humphrey Bogart perfectly cast as Dixon Steele whose unpredictable explosions of anger make him a prime suspect for the killing of a young ingénue. This highly probative film noir, previously recommended here, is scheduled to arrive Monday, October 19 at (early morning) 1:15am PST.
(From left) Humphrey Bogart, Don Hamin
This next film is not only a must-see classic, it is a must-see numerous times American film classic, because of the impossibility of taking in all of its vast number of dazzling storytelling riches in a single viewing. One of the Top Ten: World Cinema Treasures, Citizen Kane is a previous TCM recommendation here and will present himself Saturday, October 24 at (early morning) 1:45am PST.
Orson Welles
Immediately following Citizen Kane is another American film classic concerning newspapers: Ace in the Hole. Billy Wilder's scathing examination of American opportunism and moral depravity via cocky newspaper reporter Chuck Tatum, is played with unrelenting cynical ferociousness by Kirk Douglas. This motion picture was previously reviewed here. Both director and actor will play their hand Saturday, October 24 at (early morning) 4am PST.
Kirk Douglas
Early Sunday evening, TCM will have one of its rare showings of the exceptional (occasionally identified as noir) western Gunman’s Walk, a previous recommendation here. Be on the lookout Sunday, October 25 at 7pm PST.
(From left) James Darren, Tab Hunter
Scheduled for very early Monday morning, is one of horror's finest: the chilling Eyes Without a Face previously reviewed here. One can see with their own eyes this genre masterwork Monday, October 26 at (early morning) 1:15am PST.
Returning to films noir, we have Hidden Gem #10: They Won't Believe Me (1947), with its fascinating, twisted plot and antithetically noir central character. This was my very first entry (linked here) for the Cinema Cafe Site with some kind words from the "Czar of Noir" himself, Eddie Muller, in the comments section below the review. If you're a noir fan and haven't seen this unusual motion picture, please believe me, you don't want to miss this major opportunity.
Next up is Todd Browning's shockingly bold and terrifying 1932 film, Freaks, previously reviewed here. They will appear on TCM Saturday, October 31 at (early morning) 3am PST. #Edit: Please note that one must refer only to the East Coast time TCM schedule and subtract 3 hours to get the correct PST or West Coast showtime.
My final recommendation for the month represents a really bad day for anyone who encounters Them! (the giant mutant ants that is). The motion picture, however, is one of the best creature features ever made, and was previously reviewed here. Them! will march on TCM Saturday, October 31 at 7pm PST. #Edit: Please note that one must refer only to the East Coast time TCM schedule and subtract 3 hours to get the correct PST or West Coast showtime.
Joan Weldon, Nuclear Mutated Ant
TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above images. For those who live in parts of the U.S. other than the western region, the time zone can be adjusted in the upper right-hand corner of TCM's program.
This month's Happy Birthday shout-out goes to the distinguished New Zealand born director, writer and producer Peter Jackson who turns 59 on October 31st.
He is, of course, best known for elaborately helming and adapting both The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies and secondarily his 2005 remake of the 1933 classic King Kong. His first film of prominence was Bad Taste (1987) which he began as an amateur, extremely low budget production, casting himself, friends and local residents when he was twenty two. The film took four years to complete, went on to become a cult classic and launched the eager young filmmaker’s career. Motion pictures that followed include Dead Alive (1992, his first professional feature), Heavenly Creatures (1994), The Frighteners (1996) and The Lovely Bones (2009).
October's Soundtrack recommendation is John Williams' robust and vital score to Steven Spielberg's 2005 epic rendition of H.G. Wells' sci-fi classic War of the Worlds.
Readers familiar with my review of the 1953 version (available here) may recall some unfavourable comments concerning this more recent and grandiose interpretation compared to its earlier counterpart. Nevertheless, John Williams’ musical contribution remains most impressive, capturing as it does, all of the wondrous magisterial might of the invaders, their purposeful obliteration of humanity and those personal attempts at survival depicted by the filmmakers. This limited 2 CD special edition was issued by Intrada Records. More information and ordering can be obtained from the manufacturer by clicking on the accompanying image.
This month’s Blu-ray selection is Reflections in a Golden Eye, one of the Cinema Cafe’s Top Ten Guilty Treasures reviewed here. This 2 Disc Special Edition from Warner Archive contains both the original gold tinted version and the theatrically released technicolor transfer of this mesmerising film. Both are presented in pristine condition. More information and ordering can be obtained by clicking on the accompanying image.
A.G.