"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 masks, social distancing, limited seating or last minute cancellations.
The League of Gentlemen
Two-Lane Blacktop
Cockfighter
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present The League of Gentlemen (1960, a 35mm print) Tuesday, August 3 and Thursday, August 5, Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) Thursday, August 12 and Wednesday, August 18, and Cockfighter (1974, a 35mm print) Tuesday, August 24 and Thursday, August 26.
For more information on each showing, click on the film’s corresponding image above. For more information on the other films showing at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present Raging Bull (1980, a 35mm print) Tuesday, August 3, Wednesday, August 4 and Thursday, August 5, Taxi Driver (1976, a 35mm print) Friday, August 6, Saturday, August 7 and Sunday, August 8, a double bill of The Landlord (1970, a 35mm print) and The Last Detail (1973, a 35mm print) Wednesday, August 11 and Thursday, August 12, Jaws (1975, a 35mm print) Friday, August 20, Saturday, August 21 and Sunday, August 22, a double bill of This Gun for Hire (1942, a 35mm print) and The Glass Key (1942, a 35mm print) Thursday, August 26 and Friday, August 27, and Heat (1995, a 35mm print) on Saturday, August 28, Sunday, August 29 and Monday, August 30.
Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of August’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present Blue Velvet (1986, a 35mm print) Tuesday, August 3, The Green Ray [Le rayon vert] (1986, a 35mm print) Wednesday, August 4, Goodfellas (1990, a 35mm print) Friday, August 6 through Thursday, August 12, Apocalypse Now (1979, a 35mm print, the theatrical cut) Sunday, August 8, Tokyo Story [Tôkyô monogatari] (1953, a 35mm print) Thursday, August 12, Heat (1995, a 35mm print) Thursday, August 12, Thief (1981, a 35mm print) Monday, August 23, A Summer’s Tale [Conte d'été] (1996, a 35mm print) Thursday, August 26 and City Lights (1931) on Saturday, August 28.
Click on the respective image for more information. To see August’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.
In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) Wednesday, August 4, The Iron Giant (1999, Signature Edition), Sunday, August 8 and Wednesday, August 11, Back to the Future (1985) Sunday, August 22 and Wednesday, August 25 and Pretty in Pink (1986, as part of this film’s 35th Anniversary) on Sunday, August 29 and Wednesday, September 1.
Click on the respective 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 a double bill of Blow Up (1966) and Blow Out (1981) Saturday, August 7, Elevator to the Gallows (1958, a special screening for Auckland Film Society members) Monday, August 16 and Straw Dogs (1971) on Sunday, August 22.
To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of August’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.
The Conformist
In Los Angeles, California Secret Movie Club is presenting a Million Dollar Club matinee screening of The Conformist (1970, a 35mm print) Saturday, August 14 at downtown L.A.’s Million Dollar Theatre. For more information on this special screening, click on the above still from The Conformist. To discover other screenings organised by this group, click on the above theatre image.
In theatres across the U.S., TCM and Fathom Events are presenting Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971, as part of this film’s 50th Anniversary) Sunday, August 15 and Wednesday, August 18 and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986, Remastered, as part of this film’s 35th Anniversary) on Thursday, August 19 and again on Sunday, August 22.
Click on the respective film’s image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.
There are 22 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
Vertigo is a 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 Tuesday, August 3 at 8:15 pm PDT.
Kim Novak
Immediately following Vertigo is a far less known film starring Kim Novak that is unquestionably a film noir, 1954’s Pushover, reviewed here and making a rare showing on TCM Tuesday, August 3 at 10:45 pm PDT.
Fred MacMurray, Kim Novak
"And then I saw her - coming out of the sun. And I knew why Whit didn't care about that 40 grand."
Out of the Past, is one of film noir's finest and most highly recommended here. She will arrive Friday, August 6 at 5 pm PDT.
If a rambling narrative, coupled with an irreverent attitude is not your thing, you’ll probably want to skip my next TCM recommendation this month, Robert Altman’s California Split, previously reviewed here. The “plot” if one can call it that, concerns a couple of freewheeling gamblers played by Elliott Gould and George Segal who some may find, as I do, charismatic enough to make their camaraderie highly infectious and escapades naturally engaging. The split will happen on TCM Tuesday, August 10 at 9:30 pm PDT.
(In forefront, from left) Elliott Gould, George Segal
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, reviewed as a Blu-ray recommendation here, can be discovered on TCM Tuesday, August 10 at 11:30 pm PDT.
George Segal, Ruth Gordon
John Cassavetes’ first motion picture Shadows (1958) became a forerunner of independent, guerilla style, semi-improvisational filmmaking, and like his other deeply felt personal projects that followed (e.g. Faces, Husbands, A Woman Under the Influence and The Killing of a Chinese Bookie), made a striking impression with its raw, spontaneous, and what some have called formless and wandering, mise-en-scène. Those who are familiar with this filmmaker’s unique brand of auteurism, may be surprised to find his directorial credit on 1963's A Child Is Waiting, written by Abbey Mann and produced by Stanley Kramer.
Steven Hill, Gena Rowlands
Every one of this film's emotionally charged characters is given a dedicated rendering by its superb cast which includes Burt Lancaster, Judy Garland and Gena Rowlands (John Cassavetes’ wife at the time), guided so sensitively by Cassavetes' insightful, penetrating direction and Mann’s thoughtfully revealing screenplay. Most impressive of all is Steven Hill's portrayal of the story's least sympathetic character, the child's father. It's somewhat hard to fathom producer Stanley Kramer messing around with Cassavetes' directed scenes by what is evident here, but as reported, the director and his producer clashed regarding the story’s subject matter (Cassavetes feeling that intellectually disabled children should not be pitied nor institutionalised) and in post production, Cassavetes was fired when it came time to edit the film. As a director himself, Kramer should have recognised Cassavetes' superior naturally observational vision, compared to his own typically heavy-handed approach, and left the director and his film alone. Astute cinephiles familiar with both directors’ filmographies can see, by way of some of the shot compositions, Kramer’s less trustful relationship with his audience, making sure we feel the intended emotional response. We’re left wondering what could have been if Cassavetes’ less manipulative and sentimental guidance had been allowed to steward the narrative all the way through. Still, there is much to admire here: a prevailing sense of subtlety and enough earned pathos that its director is largely responsible for. A Child is Waiting can be discovered on TCM (updated) Monday, January 2 (2023) at 10 pm PST.
Bruce Ritchey, Judy Garland
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.
A Child is Waiting is also August’s Blu-ray recommendation (see below).
An outstanding film noir from 1947 is Hidden Gem #10: They Won't Believe Me, 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.
*** Note *** For only the third time on TCM, the recently restored longer version including an added 15 minutes from all but two previous U.S. presentations (i.e. 95 minutes instead of the usual 80 minutes) will be aired. This makes TCM’s Monday, August 16 at 11 pm PDT showing a must see for film noir fans.
Jane Greer, Robert Young
The screen will heat up big time when Fritz Lang's The Big Heat, previously recommended here, arrives Tuesday, August 17 at 5 pm PDT.
Be sure to stay tuned for 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 Tuesday, August 17 at 7 pm PDT.
(From left) Humphrey Bogart, Don Hamin
"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 Thursday, August 19 at (early morning) 12:30 am PDT.
Marlon Brando
TCM has scheduled a trio of notable films featuring actor Van Heflin.
MGM contract player Robert Taylor appeared in a startling number of excellent films. Johnny Eager, a previous recommendation here, is one of them. Van Heflin appears as Taylor’s confidant and won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his role in Johnny Eager. If you haven’t seen this exciting film noir with its irresistible characters and situations, don’t miss the opportunity Friday, August 20 at 5 pm PDT.
Van Heflin (above), Robert Taylor
Patterns is Hidden Gem #54 with Ed Begley as a displaced executive whose shameful bullying at the hands of his superior corporate officer (Everett Sloane) is slowly starting to anger Begley's younger ally and (unbeknownst to himself) replacement, played by Van Heflin. All three male leads exhibit voracious appetites for their Rod (The Twilight Zone) Serling created dynamic parts. The dramatic fireworks are set to explode Friday, August 20 at 7 pm PDT.
Ed Begley (Far left), Everett Sloane (Centre), Van Heflin (Centre on the right)
Later in the evening, TCM will have one of its rare showings of the exceptional (occasionally identified as noir) western Gunman’s Walk, a previous recommendation here. Van Heflin stars as a powerful rancher. Be on the lookout Friday, August 20 at 8:45 pm PDT.
(From left) Tab Hunter, Van Heflin
Director Howard Hawks excelled at capturing the exciting elements in all genres: gangster films, Scarface (1932), film noir The Big Sleep (1946) and westerns Red River (1948) just to name a few. Offering further proof of this is the hilarious screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby, previously reviewed here. The antics will begin on TCM Saturday, August 21 at 9:15 am PDT.
Anatomy of a Murder is one of the most authentic and enthralling courtroom dramas of all time. Previously reviewed here, the trial will begin Monday, August 23 at 8:45 pm PDT.
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. Hotel will open its doors Saturday, August 28 at (early morning) 12:45 am PDT.
(From left) Rod Taylor, Richard Conte
Another film released the same year as Hotel is British director John Boorman’s Point Blank, a neo-noir masterpiece fortified with style and driven by purpose.
Lee Marvin
… and the L.A. River
Lee Marvin's 'cold as a frozen corpse' Walker, is a machine-like man on a mission, appearing unstoppable as he charges through LAX possessed with unbridled vengeance. It's also quite ironic that despite Walker's hardened resolve, the considerable threat he poses, generous amount of punishment he dishes out, and the high body count he seems responsible for, doesn't directly kill anyone in the entire picture. "Was it a dream?" You be the judge when Point Blank (first acclaimed here) hits Saturday, August 28 at 5 pm PDT.
Many cinema buffs prefer the decade older version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to this one, but not I. The psychological terror inflicted in Victor Fleming's 1941 version makes it infinitely compelling, dastardly ‘noirish’, suggestively sexual, and contemporarily relevant. My prior review can be read here. The good Dr. and his not so good alter ego, will make their appearance on Sunday, August 29 at 8:15 am PDT.
(From left) Ingrid Bergman, Lana Turner
1944's Academy Award Best Picture Winner Casablanca will air once again, a film for which I criticised in my review here, for its emotionally underwhelming Parisian flashback, partly due to the fact that we did not see the romance develop before these rather lukewarm scenes took place. There is, however, no denying the fact that this film casts a magical spell and is certainly capable of sweeping one up in its appealing blend of romance, sacrifice and political intrigue. This 1942 classic, one of Hollywood's proudest, arrives Sunday, August 29 at 3 pm PDT.
Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman
The following 2 recommendations showcase the amazing versatility of actor James Cagney.
A criminal's mother-fixated pathology and the undercover cop trying to catch him are the topics of an undisputed film noir, White Heat, a previous recommendation here. TCM's screen will heat up Monday, August 30 at 1 pm PDT.
(From left) James Cagney, Edmond O'Brien
The unmissable Busby Berkeley extravaganza Footlight Parade is also a previous TCM recommendation here. Let the show begin Monday, August 30 at 5 pm PDT.
TCM will once again be presenting The Best Years of Our Lives, an incisive look into how each of three returning servicemen adapt to civilian life at home, after World War II. Previously, I highly praised The Best Years of Our Lives for its exceptional musical score composed by Hugo Friedhofer in the first part of a series entitled Top Ten: Motion Picture Music Treasures. This emotionally powerful tour de force will commence Tuesday, August 31 at 5 pm PDT.
Dana Andrews, holding the Mayo... Virginia Mayo that is
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 the talented actor, accomplished musician and political activist Richard Gere, who turns 72 on August 31st.
His noteworthy performances include those seen in the films Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), Days of Heaven (1978), American Gigolo (1980), An Officer and a Gentleman (1980), Breathless (1983), The Cotton Club (1984), Internal Affairs (1990), Pretty Woman (1990), Final Analysis (1992), Sommersby (1993), Primal Fear (1996), The Jackal (1997), Unfaithful (2002), Chicago (2002, a Golden Globe winner for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical), Nights in Rodanthe (2008), Arbitrage (2012), The Benefactor (2015) and Norman (2016), amongst others.
The Soundtrack recommendation for the month is Don Davis' way out of the box creative juggernaut: 1999’s visionary blockbuster The Matrix.
Davis’ avant-garde musical soundscape envelopes and dazzles while matching in drive and imagination the filmmakers’ astonishing visuals and narrative momentum. This new but limited (only 2000 units produced) 2CD set from Varese Sarabande presents the complete score which can be ordered from Intrada Records by clicking on the above image.
August’s Blu-ray recommendation is to the above reviewed film A Child is Waiting issued by Kino-Lorber (North America Region A locked) and available from Amazon.com by clicking on the accompanying image.
A.G.