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 13 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:

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 Wednesday, July 1 at 5pm PST and again Sunday, July 19 at 11:15am PST.

(From left) Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly

Make way for another rapturous Stanley Donen directed musical, featured later in the evening: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, reviewed here, Wednesday, July 1 at 11:15pm PST.

Then there's John Ford's masterpiece The Searchers, previously reviewed here. It is Top Ten Western #2 and is as likely as any film to provide one with a truly unforgettable, rich and rewarding movie-watching experience. The search will begin Friday, July 3 at 7pm PST.

Those interested in learning more about the true to life event that inspired Alan Le May’s book and subsequently John Ford’s film of the same name, should enjoy this talk given in Los Angeles by Glenn Frankel:

Dick Powell stars in The Tall Target, a film noir with a somewhat contentious ingredient: its story takes place during an earlier (than film noir’s classic) time period. Some (unlike myself), might say that alone would disqualify The Tall Target from being in the noir category. In any event, Anthony Mann's 1951 “period noir”, a prior recommendation here, is well worth checking out. Viewers should set their sights on The Tall Target Monday, July 6 at (late evening) 1am PST.

(From left) Ruby Dee, Marshall Thompson, Dick Powell, Paula Raymond

My next TCM recommendation is 1955's modern-day take on the American Western, Bad Day at Black Rock, previously reviewed here. This exceptional suspense-thriller's day will begin Tuesday, July 14 at 7:15am PST and will happen again Saturday, July 18 at 1pm PST.

Later on Tuesday, Lee Marvin will appear, and this time star, in the explosive and stylish thriller Point Blank. I find it fascinating that Lee Marvin's badass Walker, with the high body count he seems responsible for, doesn't directly kill anyone in the entire picture. "Was it a dream?" Point Blank, first lauded here, will hit TCM Tuesday, July 14 at 3:15pm PST.

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.

Beneath an inventive situation comedy veneer, however, lies a serious underlying message regarding 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, July 22 at 5pm PST.

Film buffs who haven’t yet seen or heard much about the original 1968 film Planet of the Apes might as well have lived on another planet (cinematically speaking) considering all of the sequels, TV series, 2001 remake, 2011 reboot not to mention its two sequels released since. Nevertheless, uninitiated movie fans, particularly those young at heart science fiction enthusiasts, should relish the opportunity to visit this thoughtful, innovative and impressively envisioned cinematic planet.

(From left) Charlton Heston, Jeff Burton, Robert Gunner

In the distant future, 3 surviving astronauts crash land in a brave new world that truly appears “other worldly.” As they explore their current home’s foreign terrain in search of sustenance, their discussion (care of Rod Serling’s recognisably erudite discourse) expertly infuses character depth that will play an important part in further understanding Taylor (a commanding Charlton Heston) after he is separated from the others. These opening scenes may, in fact, be the most integral and beautifully realised in the entire film. They provide a thoroughly consuming experience allowing us time to absorb the striking surrounds and contemplate what will become of our new arrivals. Jerry Goldsmith’s rich, impressionistic score and Leon Shamroy’s perfectly composed cinematography enhance the mystery and splendour of these introductory moments. They also lend a stark contrast to the unexpected narrative cataclysm that follows: ‘the hunt,” during which we finally meet the titular rulers, one of the most spellbinding and smashingly choreographed (mainly due to Hugh S. Fowler’s editing) action episodes cinema has to offer.

(In foreground from left) Kim Hunter, Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall

The scenes that come later, although featuring many thought provoking philosophical and sociologically pertinent situations and dialogue, are hampered by the abundant english language spoken (the film would have been elevated had its designers created an original means of simian communication however unappealing this would have been for most of the movie going public) and a few dramatically stifling moments of strained satire. To compensate, there is Taylor’s escape attempt, ending with his justifiably famous declaration of defiance and the startling, unforgettable finale, once again care of co-writer Rod ‘The Twilight Zone’ Serling. Franklin Schaffner capably directed Rod Serling and Michael Wilson’s screenplay adaptation of Pierre Boulle’s novel. John Chambers created the Academy Award winning makeup. Arthur P. Jacobs produced. TCM will drop in on Planet of the Apes (updated) Thursday, April 7 (2022) at 5 pm PDT.

The more psychologically disturbing, (than monstrously horrifying) 1941 version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde has Spencer Tracy in the title role. This was previously critiqued here. The Dr. will begin his transformation Monday, July 27 at 7am PST.

A true romance film and of the highest artistic calibre has been reviewed in Opening Up a Treasure: Brief Encounter. Director David Lean's stirring "encounter" will begin on Tuesday, July 28 at 9:15am PST.

Top Ten: Cinema's Most Treasured Image #81

Following Brief Encounter, TCM will present another David Lean directed film, only this romantic encounter is not so “brief” and occurs in a far more expansive setting. Doctor Zhivago is the latest in a series of Top Ten “All that Glitters…”: The Overrated and will be shown Tuesday, July 28 at 11am PST.

Sometimes, humour seems like the only anecdote for life’s miseries. Robert Klane, along with cohorts Carl Reiner and a cast of actors playing New York City’s wackiest inhabitants, have fully embraced this tenet with their onslaught of radical absurdity, 1970’s Where’s Poppa?. This outrageous jet black comedy can be discovered on TCM Tuesday, July 28 at 11pm PST.

Where’s Poppa? is also July’s Blu-ray recommendation, reviewed as the last entry of this column.

My final TCM recommendation for the month is another MGM musical worth checking out: Guys and Dolls, previously reviewed here. They will arrive Wednesday, July 29 at 6:45pm PST.

TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above images (except for the video). 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 programme.

This month's Happy Birthday shout-out goes to the lovely and talented actress Susan Flannery who turns 81 on July 31st.

She is perhaps best known to classic film fans for playing actor Robert Wagner’s paramour Lorrie, who meets a fiery end in the famous 1974 disaster flick The Towering Inferno. Susan is far better recognised overall for her many TV appearances especially in The Bold and the Beautiful (1987 - 2018). Another character she’ll be appreciated for performing is Leslie Stewart in the 1981 TV series Dallas.

This month's Soundtrack recommendation is the recently departed Ennio Morricone's highly atmospheric and pivotal score to John Carpenter's electrifying sci-fi/horror film The Thing.

Director Carpenter, armed with a more sisable budget than ever before, turned to the iconic composer who provided an orchestral, mixed with electronic, score of brooding intensity and frightening dominance. This album is a remastered reissue of the soundtrack first released by MCA, consisting of maestro Morricone’s personally conceived score, much of which went unused in the finished film. The CD has been manufactured by Quartet Records and can be ordered from Intrada by clicking on the accompanying image.

Mentioned above as a TCM recommendation is Where's Poppa? (1970) which also happens to be my Blu-ray pick of the month.

(In foreground from left) George Segal, Rob Reiner

Jewish humour, as it applies to cinema and television, often underlines the main character’s persistent but likely failed attempts to cope with the weight of a crazy universe. In Where’s Poppa?, nebbish attorney Gordon Hocheiser (George Segal who couldn’t be more right for the part) embodies this confounded personality type and story’s theme, in a world (not just his mother) gone mad. Each and every brilliant scene (written by Robert Klane and directed by Carl Reiner) confirms and builds on this premise. Like any "shock" humour, the situations Gordon finds himself in, involve subject matter considered sacrosanct by many, so the daring approach must accompany creativity, wit, imagination and focus, in order for the humour to take effect... all highly evident. Above all, there needs to be a sense of where the line is drawn over just how far their subjects can appear victimised, again firmly in check. Seen the first time, when it was released theatrically, our group didn’t laugh at all... we were too stunned. How could anyone make fun of such serious, often unspoken, possibly guilt provoking issues considered so "off limits?” In thinking about the film’s many scenes later, however, we three (as well as countless others I've met since) have been in stitches over all of Where’s Poppa’s many deadpan and outrageous comedic effronteries.

The Kino-Lorber Blu-ray (North America Region A) offers a fine audio/visual representation of the film shown theatrically and can be ordered from Amazon.com by clicking on the image.

A.G.

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