Just some thoughts on current happenings:

Happy Valentine’s Day (Monday, February 14) Everyone!

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 Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will be presenting La vida por delante (1958) Friday, February 4 and Tuesday, February 8, Pratidwandi (1970) Thursday, February 10 and Saturday, February 26, The Chess Players aka Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) Saturday, February 12 and Wednesday, February 16, Novio a la vista (1954, a 35mm print) Thursday, February 17, America, America (1963, a 35mm print) Sunday, February 20 and Tuesday, February 22, and El Dorado (1967) on Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27.

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.

In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present Goodfellas (1990, a 35mm print) Friday, February 4, The Killing (1956, a 35mm print) Monday, February 7, Casablanca (1942, a 35mm print) Saturday, February 12, Brief Encounter (1945, a 35mm print) Sunday, February 13, Thunderball (1965, a 4k digital presentation) Saturday, February 19 and Thursday, February 24, Lolita (1962, a 35mm print) Monday, February 21, Dark City (1998, a 35mm print) Friday, February 25, You Only Live Twice (1967, a 4k digital presentation) Saturday, February 26, The Godfather (1972, a 4k digital presentation, as part of this film’s 50th Anniversary) Saturday, February 26 and Tuesday, March 1, Wild Strawberries (1957) Sunday, February 27, and Heat (1995, a 35mm print, as part of this film’s 25th Anniversary) on Sunday, February 27.

Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see February’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.

In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present Apocalypse Now Redux (1979/2001, an I.B. Technicolor 35mm print) Friday, February 4, Saturday, February 5 and Sunday, February 6, City Lights (1931, a 35mm print) Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13 (with both showings at 2 pm only), La Dolce Vita (1960, a 35mm print) Friday, February 18, Saturday, February 19 and Sunday, February 20, and a double bill of Point Blank (1967, a 35mm print) and Prime Cut (1972, a 35mm print) on Friday, February 25, Saturday, February 26 and Sunday, February 27.

Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see the rest of February’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.

In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present The Ballad of Narayama (1983, a 35mm print) Sunday, February 6, and Johnny Guitar (1954) on Thursday, February 10.

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.

In Los Angeles, California Secret Movie Club is presenting at The Secret Movie Club Theatre The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964) Thursday, February 10, and a double bill of Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) followed by Lincoln (2012, a 35mm print) at The Million Dollar Theatre on Monday, February 21.

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 New York City, New York, Film Forum is presenting TOSHIRŌ MIFUNE: A four-week festival of 33 films starring the legendary actor Toshirō Mifune from Friday, February 11 - Thursday, March 10. Just a few of the highlights include Scandal (1950, a 35mm print), A Wife’s Heart (1956, a 35mm print), High and Low (1963, a 35mm print) and Samurai Rebellion (1967, a 35mm print).

For information on these or the other films in this series, click on the actor’s image above. For information on all of the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner above.

In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) Sunday, February 13 and on Wednesday, February 16.

Click on the 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 Passionate Friends (1949) Monday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day), and The Godfather (1972, a 4k digital presentation, as part of this film’s 50th Anniversary) on Sunday, February 27.

To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of February’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.

In theatres across the U.S., TCM and Fathom Events are presenting Lady Sings the Blues (1972, as part of this film’s 50th Anniversary) on Sunday, February 20 and Wednesday, February 23.

Click on the film’s poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.

In Melbourne, Australia The Astor Theatre is presenting The Godfather (1972, a 4k digital presentation, as part of this film’s 50th Anniversary) on Saturday, February 26 (two showings at 3 pm and 7:30 pm) and Sunday, February 27 (two showings at 3 pm and 7 pm).

Click on the film’s image for more information. To see the rest of February’s schedule, click on The Astor Theatre banner above.

There are 17 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:

First up is Alfred Hitchcock's dazzling thriller, Foreign Correspondent, previously reviewed here. His main character’s precarious globe trotting assignment will begin Saturday, February 5 at 9 am PST.

Director John Boorman has delivered with the precision of his film's title, Point Blank (1967), a Neo-noir masterpiece fortified with style and driven by purpose.

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, February 5 at 3:15 pm PST.

The unmissable Busby Berkeley extravaganza Footlight Parade is also a previous TCM recommendation here. Let the show begin Sunday, February 6 at (early morning) 3 am PST.

One of Steve McQueen’s most iconic characterisations appears in Bullitt, reviewed here. Bullitt will speed its way onto TCM Monday, February 7 at 11:15 am PST.

There have been quite a few movies centred around boxing over the years from 1937’s Kid Galahad to 2018’s Creed II with plenty of standouts in-between such as 1947’s Body and Soul, 1956’s Somebody Up There Likes Me, 1962’s Requiem for a Heavyweight, 1972’s Fat City and 1980’s Raging Bull. None of these however get as straight to the punchline as 1949’s knockout noir The Set-Up, previously reviewed here and happening again on TCM Wednesday, February 9 at 10:45 pm PST.

Many experts have claimed that the first identifiable film noir of America’s classic time period is Boris Ingster's 1940 Stranger on the Third Floor. One can glean just how many of noir's stylish traits are inherent in this film by reading my previous TCM recommendation here. If you're a noir fan and have never seen this little RKO gem, be a stranger no more Thursday, February 10 at (early morning) 3 am PST.

Fans of film noir who haven't seen John Brahm's 1946 The Locket do not want to miss the opportunity to experience this hypnotically mesmerising drama. A previous recommendation here, The Locket is a dream-like journey crying out to be discovered. The locket can be found Thursday, February 10 at 4:15 am PST.

In case anyone reading this hasn’t seen the first in a series of sequels, remakes, reboots, even a TV series, TCM can remedy that by revisiting 1968’s Planet of the Apes, reviewed here and arriving Friday, February 11 at 5 pm 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 most appropriately on Monday, February 14 at 7:15 pm PST.

Top Ten: Cinema's Most Treasured Image #81

Following Brief Encounter a bit later, 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 Monday, February 14 at 11 pm PST.

John Huston's Reflections in a Golden Eye is a film I have mixed feelings about. The rather strange inhabitants of these southern Gothically-tinged surroundings may remain underdeveloped but the performances from its superbly chosen cast compensate by genuinely conveying their characters' frustrations and desires making this an engrossing film-watching experience. It is a previous TCM recommendation here, and is worth eyeing Wednesday, February 16 at 3 pm 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 on TCM Wednesday, February 16 at 5 pm PST.

One of Alfred Hitchcock’s more uncustomary, yet distinguished, offerings is I Confess, previously reviewed here, featuring an intense, introspective performance from Montgomery Clift. This highly engrossing confessional can be heard (and seen) Wednesday, February 16 at 9:30 pm PST.

1944’s Laura is director Otto Preminger’s slick and assured amalgamation of mystery (whodunnit) and film noir (obsessive desire, gruesome murder etc) elements. This film was briefly reviewed here. Included is a comparison between the detective played by Dana Andrews and James Stewart’s retired investigator in Vertigo. Laura will come to life on TCM Thursday, February 17 at 5 pm PST.

Immediately following Laura is another feature starring the heavenly Gene Tierney, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, a romantic fantasy/drama that provides viewers with an incredibly moving emotional experience. This timeless romance has been previously reviewed here and begins on Thursday, February 17 at 6:45 pm PST.

Casablanca is a film I've often recommended in the past. Occasionally, however, I catch some flack for not being as enamoured with this adored classic as the vast majority of viewers. For those who consider Casablanca to be one of the finest motion pictures ever made, just the inclusion in a series entitled “All that Glitters…”: The Overrated can be objectionable enough to completely ignore my critique, even though there are many qualities attributed to the motion picture contained therein. In any event, I hope some readers’ positive feelings for this film are strong enough to withstand a more critical outlook. Casablanca is on TCM's itinerary for Monday, February 21 at 9:45 pm PST.

Last year saw the sad passing of Cicely Tyson (See: End Credits) who made a genuine heartfelt impression in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, a previous TCM recommendation here. Viewers can realise a wealth of emotion by tuning in Thursday, February 24 at 12:45 pm PST.

Cicely Tyson as Portia with Alan Arkin as John Singer in *The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter*

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.

February's Soundtrack recommendation is the Disaster Movie Soundtrack Collection, a limited edition (only 5,000 units produced) four disc box set from La-La Land Records containing 3 of John Williams’ most popular and sought after scores.

Each of the three soundtracks is given its own jewel case and features improved sound over previous editions.

John Williams’ score to Earthquake (1974) employs, at least at first, a breezier and lighter approach than the others in this set, befitting this film’s sprawling locale, diverse inhabitants and more personal entanglements. Still, there are some unique conflicts sprinkled before, during and after the titular event, with Williams’ most appropriate tension building music enhancing their emotional core. Sourced from Universal Music Group and Universal Pictures elements, this soundtrack features a fully remixed and remastered presentation of the 1974 soundtrack album, plus, the world premiere of the original film score recording.

As a motion picture, The Poseidon Adventure (1972) kind of clunks along from one confined set piece to another as the passengers deliver every other line as if their lives depended on the importance of each word spoken. They’re trying to survive and escape from an upturned luxury liner, the latter goal some spectators may especially relate to when watching this film. The real hero for us is John Williams who lends all the excitement, suspense and emotional sustenance this story desperately needs. The soundtrack has been restored and meticulously remastered from original vault materials and now includes Maureen McGovern’s hit single version of “The Morning After.”

The jewel in the crown here (both the film and its score) is The Towering Inferno (1974). There is a subtly conveyed backstory to some of the characters (e.g. shortcuts taken in the skyscraper’s construction) connecting them to the disaster itself that distinguishes this epic from most of its soapier brethren. The narrative flows rather well (Steve McQueen's commanding portrayal helps a lot) and doesn't feel like it just cuts between the different participants to showcase each one's obvious and repetitive personality traits and crises. The fire itself is not treated as an “after the fact” event. It’s an ongoing catastrophe that continually worsens, challenging its participants, which makes the situations more engaging and less episodic. John Williams’ towering score rises (excuse the pun) to the occasion beginning with one of his (or anyone else’s) most sweeping and grandly thematic openings. His majesty continues all the way through to the disaster’s bravura final solution: dynamiting the tower’s water tanks. This long cue is creative suspense building at its best, and now can be appreciated in all its glory at the proper volume, restored and remastered, on its own. Ditto for John Williams’ concluding tribute to fire fighters. The 2-CD presentation is a major restoration project sourced from 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros. WEA and Irwin Allen estate materials. Disc 1 contains the original score presentation, while Disc 2 features alternates, source music and the first official CD release of the 1974 soundtrack album master.

More on this special soundtrack box set, plus ordering information from La-La Land Records, can be obtained by clicking on any of the soundtrack related images.

This month’s Happy Birthday shout out goes to Canadian born director Sidney J. Furie who turns 89 on February 28th.

Just a few of the more creatively enlivened films he’s directed include The Ipcress File (1965, a personal favourite of the spy genre starring Michael Caine and BAFTA award recipient for Best Picture), The Appaloosa (1966, an intriguing western starring Marlon Brando), The Naked Runner (1967, starring Frank Sinatra), The Lawyer (1970, an underrated murder mystery starring Barry Newman which resulted in the excellent spinoff TV series Petrocelli), Little Fauss and Big Halsy (1972, starring Robert Redford), Lady Sings the Blues (1972, starring Diana Ross as Billie Holiday), Hit! (1973, a gritty crime drama starring Lady Sings the Blues’ costar Billy Dee Williams), Sheila Levine Is Dead and Living in New York (1975, starring Jeannie Berlin and Roy Scheider), The Boys in Company C (1978, providing direct inspiration for Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket) and The Entity (1982, a horror cult classic praised by Martin Scorsese).

February’s DVD choice is also an above TCM recommendation (linked to a previous review), The Locket. Currently available from Warner Archive, this mesmerising film noir can be ordered from Amazon.com by clicking on the accompanying image.

A.G.

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