"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on current happenings:
Classic film screenings from around the world is returning this month in a limited capacity. Due to the Corona virus pandemic, please contact the theatre of choice regarding any restrictions including vaccination requirements, masks, social distancing, limited seating or last minute cancellations.
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present It’s a Wonderful Life (1946, a 35mm print) Friday, December 3 through to Friday, December 24, Die Hard (1988, a 70mm print) Friday, December 3, Tuesday, December 7, Friday, December 10 and Monday, December 13, along with 35mm presentations Wednesday, December 15, Tuesday, December 21, Wednesday, December 22 and Friday, December 24, The Shop Around the Corner (1940, a 35mm print) Wednesday, December 8 through to Thursday, December 23, The Apartment (1960, a 35mm print) Tuesday, December 14 and Wednesday, December 22, American Psycho (2000, a 35mm print) Thursday, December 16 and Tuesday, December 21, You’ve Got Mail (1998, a 35mm print) Thursday, December 16, Magnolia (1999, a 35mm print) Tuesday, December 28, Enter the Dragon (1973, an “Uncut” 35mm print) Thursday, December 30, Trading Places (1983, a 35mm print) Friday, December 31 and When Harry Met Sally (1989, a 35mm print) on Friday, December 31.
Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see December’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present a double bill of Blast of Silence (1961, a 35mm print) and The Night of the Hunter (1955, a 35mm print) Friday, December 3, Eyes Wide Shut (1999, a 35mm print, 159 minutes) Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5, a double bill of Christmas in Connecticut (1945, a 35mm print) and Remember the Night (1940, a 35mm print) Sunday, December 19, and a daytime double bill of Monkey Business (1931, a 35mm print) and Duck Soup (1933, a 35mm print) on Saturday, December 25.
Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see the rest of December’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
Pather Panchali
That Obscure Object of Desire
We Have Many Names
Aparajito
Every-Night Dreams
Apur Sansar
Meshi
Okaasan
In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca will be presenting Pather Panchali (1955) Friday, December 3, That Obscure Object of Desire (1977) Saturday, December 4, We Have Many Names (1976) Sunday, December 5 and Tuesday, December 7, Aparajito (1956) Sunday, December 5 and Tuesday, December 7, Every-Night Dreams aka Yogoto no yume (1933, a 35mm print, with live piano accompaniment) Wednesday, December 8 and Saturday, December 11, Apur Sansar aka The World of Apu (1958) Friday, December 10 and Sunday, December 12, Meshi aka A Married Life (1951, a 35mm print) Thursday, December 16 and Friday, December 17, and Okaasan aka Mother (1952, a 35mm print) on Sunday, December 19 and Tuesday, December 21.
Click on the respective film’s image for more information on each screening. To discover the entire month’s programming, click on the banner image above.
Miracle in Milan
Mysterious Island
Bunny Lake is Missing
The Bad Seed
Nights of Cabiria
In New York City, New York, Film Forum is presenting Miracle in Milan (1951, a new 4k restoration) Friday, December 3 through to Thursday, December 16, Mysterious Island (1961, a 4k restoration) Sunday, December 5 (11 am only), Bunny Lake is Missing (1965, followed by a Q&A with star Keir Dullea via Zoom and moderated by Foster Hirsch in person, author of “Otto Preminger: The Man Who Would Be King”) Tuesday, December 7, The Bad Seed (1956, a 35mm print with an in-person Q&A with star Patty McCormack, moderated by historian Foster Hirsch) Sunday, December 12, and Nights of Cabiria (1957, a new 4k restoration) on Friday, December 17 through to Thursday, December 30.
For information on any of the films in this series, click on the appropriate image above. For information on all of the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner above.
In Melbourne, Australia The Astor Theatre is presenting a double bill of Wild at Heart (1990, a 35mm print) and Two Lane Blacktop (1971) Saturday, December 4, and The Matrix (1999, a 35mm print) Saturday, December 18.
Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of December’s schedule, click on The Astor Theatre banner above.
West Side Story
The Third Man
Mulholland Drive
It’s a Wonderful Life
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present West Side Story (1961) Sunday, December 5, The Third Man (1949) Tuesday, December 7, Mulholland Drive (2001) Thursday, December 9, and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) on Tuesday, December 14, Thursday, December 16 and Sunday, December 19.
For more information on each film’s showing, click on the movie’s image above. For more information on the other films showing at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
A Clockwork Orange / Eyes Wide Shut
Ed Wood
Children of Paradise
In Los Angeles, California Secret Movie Club is presenting a double bill of A Clockwork Orange (1971, a 35mm print, 136 minutes) followed by Eyes Wide Shut (1999, a 35mm print, 159 minutes) Saturday, December 11 at The Million Dollar Theater Movie Palace. They will also be showing Ed Wood (1994, a 35mm print) Thursday, December 16 and Children of Paradise aka Les enfants du paradis (1945, a 35mm print) on Friday, December 17 at The Secret Movie Club Theatre.
For more information on each of these special screenings, click on the above corresponding image. To discover other screenings organised by this group, click on the above theatre image.
In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting The Matrix (1999) Sunday, December 12 and Wednesday, December 15, and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) on Sunday, December 19, Wednesday, December 22 and Friday, December 24.
Click on the respective poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.
In Auckland, New Zealand Academy Cinemas is presenting The Bishop’s Wife (1947) Sunday, December 12, The Apartment (1960) Friday December 17, The Silent Partner (1978) Saturday, December 18, Bell, Book and Candle (1958) Sunday, December 19, and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946, as part of this film’s 75th Anniversary) on Wednesday, December 22.
To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of December’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.
In theatres across the U.S., TCM and Fathom Events are presenting On Golden Pond (1981, as part of this film’s 40th Anniversary) on Sunday, December 12 and Wednesday, December 15.
Click on the film’s poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.
There are 23 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
Jane Wyatt, Lee J. Cobb
Despite a rather tepid relationship at this story’s centre, film noir fans shouldn’t cheat themselves out of seeing The Man Who Cheated Himself, restored by The Film Noir Foundation and UCLA Film & Television Archive and a previous Blu-ray recommendation here. TCM will air this nifty little noir Friday, December 3 at 11:30 am PST.
Another film noir well worth seeing is The Unsuspected previously reviewed here. This is the suspected next stop in Eddie Muller’s Noir Alley, arriving at TCM headquarters Saturday, December 4 at 9 pm PST and again on Sunday, December 5 at 7 am PST.
Claude Rains
“Old age. It's the only disease, Mr. Thompson, that you don't look forward to being cured of.”
The next recommendation is Citizen Kane.
This is one of our Top Ten films of all time. Any serious student of the humanities cannot see this cinematic spectacle enough. Citizen Kane contains an enormous wealth of profound thought on human relations, not to mention a dazzling display of innovative storytelling techniques without peer. Ultimately, it’s that magical synchronicity of character and plot development that places it rightfully alongside art’s highest achievements. This American motion picture masterpiece is scheduled to show on TCM Monday, December 6 at (early morning) 3:30 am PST.
Cinematography by Gregg Toland
Dark Passage is a wildly engrossing yarn that 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 Monday, December 6 at 11:15 am PST.
That’s Humphrey Bogart as Vincent Parry standing at the crossroads of Greenwich Street (behind him leading to Coit Tower) and Hyde where he will soon board the Hyde cable car. This will take him to its final stop: the turntable turnaround at Powell Street and Market.
Later in the day is another highly distinctive crime film, jam-packed with noir goodness, Too Late for Tears. This film also utilises a famous city landmark, namely Los Angeles’ Echo Park lake which was also featured in the neo noir Chinatown. Too Late for Tears was previously reviewed here. It's never too late to indulge in actress Lizabeth Scott's classic femme fatale portrayal which TCM will oblige in presenting Monday, December 6 at 5 pm PST.
“What a story! Everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end.”
All About Eve is really all about the spoken word and is a prior TCM recommendation here. She will make her grand entrance Thursday, December 9 at 8:30 pm PST.
(From left) Anne Baxter, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, George Sanders
Along with The Shop Around the Corner this month, TCM is presenting another top Christmas Holiday classic, Remember the Night, previously recommended here. The stars of this delightful cinematic charmer re-teamed for the later-made Double Indemnity. The dates to be remembered are Sunday, December 12 at 3:15 pm PST and Friday, December 24 at 8:30 pm PST.
Barbara Stanwyck and Fred MacMurray
Contributing to the torrential force of film noir is Crime Wave previously reviewed here. This is one wave you'll want to catch Monday, December 13 at (early morning) 4:45 am PST.
Charles Buchinsky (a.k.a. Charles Bronson)
Immediately following Crime Wave, is another less known film noir that is nonetheless a bonafide classic: The Narrow Margin. This little firecracker is also a previous TCM recommendation here and is set to explode Monday, December 13 at 6:15 am PST.
Even though it’s the holiday season, there is certainly no shortage of films noir at TCM as this next triple play will further affirm.
The caper film first laid its roots in The Asphalt Jungle previously reviewed here. The depth of its characters and their fascinating interactions as the drama builds to a cathartic resolution, is why this film has become one of America's finest cinematic achievements. The 'planning' will start on TCM the morning of Monday, December 13 at 9:15 am PST.
(From left) Sterling Hayden, Brad Dexter, Louis Calhern, Sam Jaffe
Immediately following The Asphalt Jungle, TCM is presenting another film starring Humphrey Bogart. Despite its convoluted plot, this film's wildly entertaining detective yarn is worth waking up for.
Previously reviewed here, The Big Sleep will awaken Monday, December 13 at 11:15 am PST.
The last of the three recommended noirs in a row is Out of the Past, one of the category’s finest and most highly praised here. She will arrive Monday, December 13 at 1:15 pm PST.
“Yes, I can be very cruel. I have been taught by masters.”
Olivia de Havilland is The Heiress, previously reviewed here and appearing again on TCM Monday, December 13 at 9:30 pm 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, Wednesday, December 15 at 11:30 am PST.
Ella Raines, Brian Donlevy
Next, is a cinematic portrait of a powerful historical female leader, Cleopatra (1963), previously reviewed here. Her reign will begin Thursday, December 16 at 8:30 pm PST.
MGM contract player Robert Taylor appeared in a startling number of excellent films. Johnny Eager, a previous recommendation here, is one of them. If you haven’t seen this exciting film noir with its irresistible characters and situations, don’t miss the opportunity Friday, December 17 at (early morning) 3 am PST.
Lana Turner, Robert Taylor
Then there's Gold Diggers of 1933, a brilliant extravaganza of romance, comedy, catchy tunes, and outrageous pre-code show numbers especially 'Pettin' in the Park' with its saucy sexual undertones that even Freud would have struggled to explain. This is another previous recommendation here. The fun will begin Saturday, December 18 at 7 pm PST.
Billy Barty
Here’s another 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, 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 Tuesday, December 21 at 9 pm PST and again on Friday, December 24 at 11 am PST.
The next recommendation is another Hidden Gem (#40: Big Business 1929, U.S.A.), as well as my all time cherished Christmas Holiday cinematic treat. This is a Laurel and Hardy film in which a war takes place but instead of resulting in tragedy, all out hilarity ensues. Stan and Ollie are Christmas tree salesmen who pick the wrong customer (James Finlayson) to call on and the situation escalates from a simple misunderstanding to total Armageddon. Big Business is probably the duo's most brilliantly conceived and executed film of all and is only 19 minutes in length, airing Thursday, December 23 at 4:30 am PST.
(From left) Oliver Hardy, James Finlayson, Stan Laurel
Late on Sunday, TCM will present an unequivocal masterpiece and one of Cinema's greatest artistic achievements: Marcel Carne's Children of Paradise (Les enfants du paradis). This was a previous TCM recommendation here, and can be acclaimed Sunday, December 26 at 11:30 pm PST
Make way for the rapturous Stanley Donen directed musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, reviewed here, Thursday, December 30 at 10:30 am PST.
1972's The Getaway, is not nearly as meaningful or resonant as some of Sam Peckinpah's earlier films; still, as a genre piece, it punches solidly above its pay grade. The Getaway recommended here, will ensue Thursday, December 30 at 7 pm PST.
Steve McQueen
Immediately following The Getaway, TCM is showing one of the most astute explorations of small town American life, The Last Picture Show, previously reviewed here. This is one of the finest films of the ‘70s and can be seen Thursday, December 30 at 9:15 pm PST.
(From left) Timothy Bottoms, Ben Johnson, Sam Bottoms
TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above TCM related 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 programme.
This month's Happy Birthday shout-out goes to American film and television producer Bryan Burk who turns 53 on December 30th.
Movies he’s produced in collaboration with J.J. Abrams include the Star Trek reboot series, the Mission Impossible films Ghost Protocol and Rogue Nation and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Bryan was a producer on the TV series Alias, Lost, Fringe, Person of Interest and Westworld. He also co-wrote the Fringe episode “There’s More Than One of Everything”. Lastly, I know Bryan personally from our most enjoyable time spent together talking about and listening to film soundtracks when I lived in Los Angeles.
The Soundtrack recommendation for the month is composer John Barry's majestic score to 1990's Dances With Wolves.
Although I’m not a fan of Kevin Costner’s direction (I don’t know which is more expansive, Barry’s score or the gap between good and bad character types), John Barry produces theme after gorgeous theme that gives all the dignity, passion and grandeur this film yearns for. This 2 CD expanded limited edition (only 5,000 units made) produced by La-La Land Records, MGM and Sony Music has been remastered and is available from La-La Land Records by clicking on the accompanying image.
December’s Blu-ray recommendation is the recently released Straight Time on the Warner Archive label (Region Free). This “Hidden Gem” can be ordered from Amazon.com by clicking on the cover’s image.
A.G.