"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 noteworthy classical film theatrical screenings during the Corona virus pandemic.
There are 22 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
Make way for the rapturous Stanley Donen directed musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, reviewed here, Thursday, March 4 at 9pm PST.
A film that severely rocked the Production Code in its time was Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 horror sensation Psycho, previously reviewed here. The terror will begin Friday, March 5 at 6:45pm PST and again Thursday, March 25 at 10pm PST.
Director Howard Hawks was known for his confident, straight-forward westerns like Rio Bravo, El Dorado and Red River, this last of which is perhaps his finest. Selected and reviewed as one of the Top Ten (#6) westerns here, the story concerns the opening of the Chisholm Trail, used after the Civil War to drive cattle from Texas to Kansas. John Wayne plays one of his darker, least heroic characters most earnestly. The drive will begin Monday, March 8 at 2:30pm PST.
My next recommendation is Straight Time.
This is Hidden Gem #51, its strong authenticity due to having been made from ex-con Edward Bunker's novel, the author's participation in writing the screenplay and consultation during production. Plus, director Ulu Grosbard (See: End Credits) provides his customarily derived natural performances from an incredible ensemble cast (chosen by the film's star Dustin Hoffman). The prisoner is being released on TCM Wednesday, March 10 at 9:45pm PST.
(From left) M. Emmet Walsh, Dustin Hoffman
Not long ago in a Facebook film chat room, someone asked which film was better, Casablanca or Citizen Kane. This caused me to think about their differences, more specifically their varied approach to dramatic storytelling, to which I responded:
"I think Casablanca for many, has a far more instantly recognisable appeal, including its characters some of whom possess highly emulative qualities. Its emotional pleas are up front and easy to assimilate. Citizen Kane has more complexity, flawed characters who are invested in the past, relationships that are changing and developing, mostly in a tragic way. Casablanca ends with heroic sacrifice and optimism. Kane is dire and ultimately about loss. Casablanca's highlights remind one of its pleasures, immediate and gratifying. Kane is a deeply contemplative journey, requiring a significant investment of thoughtful consideration on the viewer's part in order to uncover its enormous wealth of profound insight into human relations."
Orson Welles, Dorothy Comingore
Both films are showing on TCM back to back, Casablanca, reviewed here, on Friday, March 12 at 7pm PST * followed immediately by Citizen Kane, previously recommended here, Friday, March 12 at 9pm PST.
* Casablanca will be presented again later this month Thursday, March 25 at 5:30am PST.
Next up is Diary of a Country Priest a.k.a. Journal d'un curé de campagne,
one of the Top Ten World Cinema Treasures and a previous TCM recommendation here. This indisputable masterpiece will air Sunday, March 14 at 11pm PST.
Claude Laydu (In this dissolve, symbolically imprisoned)
My next TCM recommendation comes with a caveat: If you haven't as yet seen this film, please do so *before* reading my review. Doctor Zhivago is the latest in a series of Top Ten “All that Glitters…”: The Overrated and will be shown on TCM Thursday, March 18 at 10:45am PST.
John Ford's most expressively emotional western, The Searchers, previously reviewed here 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 journey will begin Thursday, March 18 at 5pm PST.
"Shoot a man for sleeping with someone's wife? That's silly. Half the town'd be wiped out."
My next TCM and previous Blu-ray recommendation is 1966's The Chase (reviewed here) happening Friday, March 19 at 6:30pm PST.
Marlon Brando
My next TCM recommendation is 1955's then modern-day take on the American Western, Bad Day at Black Rock, previously reviewed here. This exceptional suspense-thriller's day will begin Saturday, March 20 at 10:30am PST.
Anatomy of a Murder is one of the most authentic and enthralling courtroom dramas of all time. Previously reviewed here, the trial will begin Saturday, March 20 at 2pm PST.
My next recommended film on TCM is jam-packed with noir goodness, Too Late for Tears, 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 Sunday, March 21 at 10:30am PST.
My next TCM, as well as March’s Blu-ray, recommendation (reviewed below) is 1960's Stop Me Before I Kill! aka The Full Treatment happening Monday, March 22 at 1pm PST.
Diane Cilento, Claude Dauphin
For those who enjoy the best in creative romantic comedy, be sure to tune in for Pillow Talk (reviewed here) Monday, March 22 at 5pm PST.
Doris Day, Rock Hudson
One of cinema’s most quintessential performances by an actress can be seen in 1947’s Possessed by the film’s star Joan Crawford. Crawford’s thorough commitment is bolstered by the actress, along with the film’s director Curtis Bernhardt, having visited several psychiatric hospitals observing patients and interviewing doctors regarding the script’s authenticity. Possessed is a prior TCM recommendation here, and can be thoroughly absorbed Tuesday, March 23 at 12:30pm 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 emotionally stirring "encounter" will begin on Thursday, March 25 at 7:30am PST.
Next on my list of films to watch is King Kong (1933), who's scheduled to make his grand entrance on Friday, March 26 at 3:15pm PST and again Wednesday, March 31 at 6:30pm PST. I have reviewed this motion picture with a focus on its musical score here.
John Huston's The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is indeed an unforgettable American treasure and a prior TCM recommendation here. Its cinematic storytelling riches can be uncovered on TCM Saturday, March 27 at 11:45am PST.
Like some of those motion pictures already recommended this month, Vertigo is another film that contentiously divides both experts and fans alike as to whether it should be included in the film noir category. Listing it as noir are the following: Film Noir Encyclopedia 4th Ed. (Silver, Ward, et al. '10), Dark City (Selby, '84), Historical Dictionary of Film Noir (Spicer, '10), Film Noir Guide (Keaney, '03), and Film Noir: Films of Trust and Betrayal (Duncan, ’02). For myself, I consider Vertigo not to be noir, the reasons for which are explained toward the latter part of my extensive review (meant for those who have seen the film) here. Either way, Vertigo is loaded with a wealth of multi-faceted insights and hidden rumination on human relationships. Viewers can enrich their lives on Sunday, March 28 at 11am PST.
Kim Novak
Bonnie and Clyde is a seminal gangster saga heavily influenced by the French iconoclast Jean-Luc Godard. A prior review here includes a special contribution from Bob DiMucci who informatively reports on some of the film's critical responses at the time of its release. Following that, are my personal recollections at the age of 12 upon seeing this radically-new expeditious approach to American cinematic storytelling. The Barrow Gang will strike on TCM Tuesday, March 30 at 3pm PST.
Faye Dunaway, Warren Beatty, Michael J. Pollard
1967's Hotel was taken, like 1970's Airport, from a novel by Arthur Hailey and is the far better crafted of the two films. This proficient and underrated motion picture was previously reviewed here and will open its doors Wednesday, March 31 at 2:45pm PST.
(From left) Rod Taylor and Richard Conte
TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above TCM 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 the multi-talented and highly awarded actor, writer, producer, director and political activist Warren Beatty, who turns 84 on March 30th.
After a few Television roles in the late ‘50s (including the recurring character Milton Armitage on The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis (1959 - 1960), Beatty made his film debut in Splendor in the Grass (1961) starring Natalie Wood and directed by Elia Kazan. Notable film roles that followed included All Fall Down (1962, for director John Frankenheimer), Lilith (1964), Mickey One (1965, the first to be paired with director Arthur Penn), Bonnie and Clyde (1967, also for director Penn which Beatty produced), McCabe & Mrs. Miller (1971, for director Robert Altman), The Parallax View (1974), Shampoo (1975, for director Hal Ashby and for which Beatty co-wrote the screenplay with Robert Towne and produced), Heaven Can Wait (1978, co-directed with Buck Henry, co-writer and producer), Reds (1981, director, co-writer and producer), Dick Tracy (director and producer), Bugsy (1991, for director Barry Levinson and producer), Bulworth (1998, director, co-writer and producer, his character’s politics mirroring the actor’s own leanings), Town & Country (2001) and Rules Don’t Apply (2016, director, screenwriter and producer, the actor portraying Howard Hughes).
The Soundtrack recommendation for the month is Wojciech Kilar’s mesmerising score to Bram Stoker's Dracula.
1992’s Gothic horror fantasy from noted director Francis Ford Coppola has a look that is striking which, along with its lavish production design, is probably enough to keep one engaged. This, despite the accompanying turgid conflicts often confusingly resolved including their underwritten but overplayed characters. Kilar’s music perfectly aligns with Coppola’s commanding imagery: ominous, at times militaristic, with an achingly passionate love motif. This is a score that is always resolute, lending a much needed dignity to the proceedings with vivid themes guaranteed to linger long in one’s memory. A limited release (only 3,000 units produced) this 3-disc set, remastered and expanded, is a combined effort of La-La Land Records, Sony Pictures, Sony Music and American Zoetrope. More information, including ordering, can be obtained from Screen Archives Entertainment by clicking on the soundtrack image.
March's Blu-ray selection is Stop Me Before I Kill! aka The Full Treatment (1960).
This psychological thriller from the U.K.’s Hammer Films, strongly emphasises psychology over conventional thriller or suspense elements, which may disappoint filmgoers anticipating contemporary cinema’s dominance of physical threats and action oriented responses. Those of us fascinated by a measured, quieter approach to enhancing mystery by revealing their characters’ innermost thoughts and desires, however (as Hitchcock does in Vertigo), are bound to be enthralled.
Diane Cilento, Claude Dauphin
The story concerns Alan Colby (played convincingly by Ronald Lewis), a professional race car driver who, after sustaining a head injury from an automobile accident in which the other driver is killed, finds that he cannot resist violent urges to strangle his beautiful wife Denise (a fetching Diane Cilento). While on vacation in the South of France, Alan meets psychiatrist David Prade (an appropriately authoritative Claude Dauphin) who believes he can help Alan overcome his brutal tendencies.
Ronald Lewis
Don’t let the lurid title fool you. This provocative narrative was created for a discerning audience with twists and turns galore. The viewer’s patience in Stop Me Before I Kill!’s languid opening, including some rather lengthy interchanges of witty repartee, is rewarded when later the proceedings turn terrifyingly deadly.
Claude Dauphin
Underrated filmmaker Val Guest directed and co-wrote the screenplay adaptation with Ronald Scott Thorn from the latter’s novel "The Full Treatment" (the film's alternate title). Guest’s enthusiasm for gradually unveiling his characters’ deep emotional roots is evident throughout and is aided substantially by the great cinematographer Gilbert (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope) Taylor.
The Blu-ray is available under its British title The Full Treatment issued by Indicator in the U.K. but is Region Free. For more information including ordering from Amazon.co.uk, click on the accompanying image.
A.G.