"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on this month’s happenings:
Happy Valentine’s Day (Wednesday, February 14) Everyone!
Classic film screenings from around the world this February include:
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present The Seventh Seal (1957, a 35mm print) Thursday, February 1, Tuesday, February 13 and Saturday, February 24, Tokyo Story aka Tôkyô monogatari (1953, a 35mm print) Friday, February 2 and Thursday, February 8, Goldfinger (1964, a 4k presentation) Saturday, February 3, Tuesday, February 13 and Friday, February 23, Bicycle Thieves aka Ladri di biciclette (1948) Sunday, February 4, Singin’ in the Rain (1952, a 4k presentation) Sunday, February 4, The Mummy (1999, a 35mm print) Tuesday, February 6 and Friday, February 23, From Russia with Love (1963) Friday, February 9, Casablanca (1942, a 35mm print) Saturday, February 10, The Killing (1956, a 35mm print) Sunday, February 11, 8 1/2 (1963, a 35mm print) Monday, February 12 and Thursday, February 29, No Country for Old Men (2007, a 35mm print) Thursday, February 15, Taxi Driver (1976, a 35mm print) Friday, February 16, Thunderball (1965, a 4k presentation) Saturday, February 24, Paths of Glory (1957, a 35mm print) Sunday, February 25, and The Magnificent Seven (1960, a 35mm print) on Wednesday, February 28.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.
Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see February’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.
The Third Man
The Pianist
A Hard Day’s Night
Ennio
Pandora’s Box
In New York City, New York, Film Forum will present The Third Man (1949, a 35mm print, a 75th Anniversary Screening) Thursday, February 1, The Pianist (2002, a new 4k restoration) Thursday, February 1, A Hard Day’s Night (1964) Wednesday, February 7, Ennio (2021) from Friday, February 9 - Thursday, February 15, and Pandora’s Box (1929, a DCP restoration) from Wednesday, February 14 - Tuesday, February 20.
For more information on the films mentioned, click on the appropriate image above. For a complete calendar of all the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner.
Re-Animator
Rebecca
Bicycle Thieves
Winchester ‘73
Spellbound
In Hollywood (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Egyptian Theatre will present Re-Animator (1985, Original Uncut 35mm Show Print, along with a Q&A with actors Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton and producer Brian Yuzna) Friday, February 2, Rebecca (1940, a Nitrate print, part of the American Cinematheque’s Nitrate Film Festival, along with an introduction by Kirk McDowell, Assistant Collection Manager in the Moving Image Department at the George Eastman Museum) Friday, February 16 and Sunday, February 18, Bicycle Thieves aka Ladri di biciclette (1948, a Nitrate print, part of the American Cinematheque’s Nitrate Film Festival, along with an introduction by Kirk McDowell, Assistant Collection Manager in the Moving Image Department at the George Eastman Museum) Saturday, February 17 and Monday, February 19, Winchester ‘73 (1950, a Nitrate print, part of the American Cinematheque’s Nitrate Film Festival) Sunday, February 18 and Sunday, February 24, and Spellbound (1945, a Nitrate print, part of the American Cinematheque’s Nitrate Film Festival) on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.
For more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of February’s programming including other films showing at The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, The Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz, and The Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (the other mentioned theatres also part of greater Los Angeles) click on the American Cinematheque banner.
In Melbourne, Australia The Astor Theatre is presenting Seconds (1972, featuring a pre film introduction by Emma Westwood along with a short film from Camilla Jackson) Saturday, February 3, and Come and See (1985) on Sunday, February 11.
Click on the repsective poster image for more information on each film’s screening. To see the rest of February’s schedule, click on The Astor Theatre banner above.
In theatres across the U.S., Fathom Events is presenting My Fair Lady (1964, as part of this film’s 60th Anniversary) on Sunday, February 4 and Monday, February 5.
Click on the film’s poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.
La Dolce Vita
Cool Hand Luke
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present La Dolce Vita (1960, a 35mm print) Tuesday, February 6, and Cool Hand Luke (1967) on Thursday, February 8 and Wednesday, February 21.
For more information on each film’s showing, click on the appropriate movie image above. For further information on the other films being presented at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present a double bill of The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976, a 35mm print) and Pale Rider (1985, a 35mm print) Wednesday, February 7 and Thursday, February 8, Days of Heaven (1978, a 35mm print) Friday, February 9 at 2 pm only, and Lady and the Tramp (1955, an IB Technicolor print) on Saturday, February 10 at 10 am only.
Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of February’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
Pale Flower
The Sons of Katie Elder
In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will be presenting Pale Flower aka Kawaita hana (1964, as part of their Masahiro Shinoda series) Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10, and The Sons of Katie Elder (1965, as part of their Contemporary Western series) on Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18.
Click on the film’s image for more information on each screening. To discover more of February’s programming including other films playing in Valencia, Spain at the Edificio Rialto, Castelló, Spain at the Raval Theatre and at the Paranimf of the Universitat Jaume I, and Alicante Spain at the Arniches Theatre, click on the banner image above.
Red Beard
North by Northwest
In Culpeper Virginia, The Library of Congress at the Packard Campus Theater is presenting Red Beard aka Akahige (1965) Friday, February 9, and North by Northwest (1959) on Friday, February 23.
Click on the poster image for more information on each film’s screening. To see the rest of February’s schedule, click on the Packard Campus image above.
Le petit soldat
The Secret of Roan Inish
In Vancouver, British Columbia, The Cinematheque will be present Le petit soldat aka The Little Soldier (1963, a 35mm print, as part of their JLG Forever series) Saturday, February 10, Monday, February 12, Monday, February 19 and Saturday, February 24, and The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) on Sunday, February 18 at 10:30 am only.
For more information about the individual screening mentioned, click on the appropriate image. For all of the films scheduled this month at The Cinematheque, click on the theatre banner above.
In Auckland, New Zealand Academy Cinemas is presenting a double bill of Images (1972) and Despair (1978) Sunday, February 11, and Band a part aka Band of Outsiders (1964, in celebration of this film’s 60th Anniversary) on Monday, February 19.
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. Flashback Cinema is presenting Casablanca (1942) Sunday, February 11 and Wednesday, February 14, and Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) Sunday, February 25 and Wednesday, February 28.
Click on the poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.
Noir City will take place in Seattle, Washington from February 16 - February 22. This year’s festival features films noir from the U.S. and other parts of the world. Highlights include a new Film Noir Foundation restoration of a duo of suspense stories from the pen of Cornell Woolrich: Never Open That Door (1952, Argentina) and Street of Chance (1942, U.S.A., a 35mm print). Also playing is: Across the Bridge (1957, U.K.), Zero Focus (1960, Japan), Black Tuesday (1954, U.S.A., a 35mm print), Le trou aka The Hole (1960, France, a new 4k restoration), The Asphalt Jungle (1950, U.S.A.), and Four Ways Out (1951, Italy, a 35mm print).
For more information including the complete schedule, click on the image above.
Casablanca
In Detroit, Michigan The Redford Theatre will present Casablanca (1942, a 35mm print) on Saturday, February 17.
Click on the respective movie image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Redford Theatre banner above.
There are 25 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
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 Friday, February 2 at (early morning) 12:15 am PST and will occur again on Friday, February 16 at 6:15 am PST.
Spencer Tracy
The multi-talented Gordon Parks made his directorial debut at age 57 with 1969's The Learning Tree based on his semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. This touching coming of age story was previously lauded, along with its creator Parks, in an article entitled: Exploring the Artefacts #5: The Alchemist. Included are some clips of Parks' music compositions for The Learning Tree and Shaft's Big Score. The Learning Tree can be studied Sunday, February 4 at 6 am PST.
(From left) Kyle Johnson, Alex Clarke
One of Alfred Hitchcock’s more uncustomary, yet distinguished, offerings is 1953’s I Confess previously reviewed here, featuring a fervent, introspective performance from Montgomery Clift. This highly engrossing confessional can be heard (and seen) Monday, February 5 at 9 pm PST.
Anne Baxter, Montgomery Clift
Next is the unmissable Busby Berkeley extravaganza Footlight Parade (1933), a previous TCM recommendation here. Let the show begin Tuesday, February 6 at 10:15 am PST.
Musical numbers created by Busby Berkeley
Some cinephiles take aim at those films identified as film noir if their stories’ setting occur during an earlier time than the classic period (1940 - 1959) in which they were made. They insist that this alone would disqualify a film from being categorised as such, even though the dark criminal surroundings and emphasis on character motive are present and accounted for. The Tall Target is such an example and for myself, joins other so called “period noirs” that are rightfully embraced in the film noir canon. Anthony Mann's 1951 effort, a prior recommendation here, is well worth checking out. Viewers should set their sights on The Tall Target Tuesday, February 6 at 12 pm PST.
(From left) Adolphe Menjou, Dick Powell
After World War II, many returning servicemen were disillusioned to find jobs scarce and their wives’ (or girlfriends’) faithfulness even scarcer. The Best Years of Our Lives addresses this reality head on when the Dana Andrews character finds it impossible to please either his previous employer or trophy wife upon returning to civilian life. Perhaps for this narrative distinction, authors Borde and Chaumeton referred to The Best Years of Our Lives in their highly respected book “Panorama of American Film Noir 1941 - 1953”, the first to be published on the subject.
Dana Andrews holding the Mayo… Virginia Mayo that is
The film portrays no crime, the focus is not on Andrews’ experiences alone, and he comes out better off at the end without his superficial but admittedly gorgeous wife, which for myself, collectively place this film well outside of noir’s dark and gloomy world of illegal activity. 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 on TCM Wednesday, February 7 at 6:15 pm PST.
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 Saturday, February 10 at 11 am PST.
For those who enjoy the best in creative romantic comedy, be sure to tune in for 1959’s Pillow Talk (reviewed here) Sunday, February 11 at 12 pm PST.
Doris Day, Rock Hudson
A film well worth seeing is Network (1976), previously reviewed here. This “mad as hell” exposé of just how far some TV executives will go to exploit for profit a former news anchor’s severe “on the air” mental breakdown, will itself air on TCM Tuesday, February 13 at 11 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," released in 1945, will begin on Wednesday, February 14 at 11 am PST.
Later, following Brief Encounter, is another film helmed by David Lean. One of his more ambitious projects may have turned out less artistically accomplished than its director intended. Still, it has many attributes making Doctor Zhivago (1965) well worth seeing. Afterwards, I'd be appreciative if readers had a look at my review here. This epic scale romance will begin Wednesday, February 14 at 7 pm PST.
Omar Sharif, Julie Christie
Next is another film noir bonafide classic: 1952’s The Narrow Margin. This little firecracker is also a previous TCM recommendation here and is set to explode Thursday, February 15 at 11:30 am PST.
Also on TCM’s agenda is the Neo-noir Bullitt (1968), one of Steve McQueen’s most iconic characterisations. Reviewed here, Bullitt will speed its way onto TCM Friday, February 16 at 5 pm PST.
The caper film first laid its roots in The Asphalt Jungle (1950) 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 Saturday, February 17 at 9:30 am PST.
Next is 1958’s The Big Country. I have written a few words about the film and a few more regarding its soundtrack here. The Big Country will be explored Saturday, February 17 at 2 pm PST.
(From left) Chuck Conners, Gregory Peck, Carroll Baker
1945’s Spellbound directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is another film whereby I’ve previously promoted its soundtrack and have added a few words regarding the film itself here. Spellbound will air Tuesday, February 20 at 7:30 pm.
Dream sequence by Salvador Dali
In my review of Casablanca, I made some criticism regarding its emotionally underwhelming Parisian flashback. Prior to this film, however, Casablanca's producer Hal Wallis and one of its contributing writers, Casey Robinson, made Now, Voyager where the romance witnessed from start to finish comes alive with fervour, maturity and elegance. Previously reviewed here, Now, Voyager will set sail Tuesday, February 20 at 9:30 pm PST.
Otto Preminger’s directed classic, 1944’s Laura, is the exacting director’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 Friday, February 23 at 5 pm PST.
A motion picture from the ‘80s that approaches a most incendiary social issue and historical tragedy in typical Hollywood (dramatically forced) fashion is Mississippi Burning (1988) reviewed here, and playing this month: Friday, February 23 at 8:30 pm PST.
(From left) Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe
In 1966, one of the more challenging films to face off against the Production Code (mentioned in Exploring the Artefacts #3: Code Breakers) was that year’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (reviewed here) remarkably delivering all of the guttural force of its theatrical origin while creating a more intimate, and cinema appropriate, dynamic all its own. Let the “games” begin Sunday, February 25 at 11:15 pm PST.
Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton
Besieged with production problems, and sometimes wrongfully criticised because of them, this next TCM recommendation is, nevertheless, an accomplished and splendorous piece of dramatically dynamic adventure storytelling: the 1962 version of Mutiny on the Bounty, reviewed here and showing on TCM Monday, February 26 at 8:30 am PST.
(From left) Marlon Brando, Trevor Howard
This will be a really bad day for anyone who encounters Them! (the giant mutant ants that is). The motion picture, however, is an exhilarating creature feature, previously reviewed here. Them! will march on TCM Monday, February 26 at 3:15 pm PST.
Joan Weldon, Nuclear Mutated Ant
My next selection is Gold Diggers of 1933 reviewed here. The show must go on Wednesday, February 28 at 4 am PST.
Ginger Rogers
Bad Day at Black Rock, reviewed here, is 1955's modern-day take on the American Western. This exceptional suspense-thriller is also a former entry in Eddie Muller’s Noir Alley and will occur Thursday, February 29 at 7:30 am PST.
(From left) Russell Collins, Walter Brennan, Spencer Tracy (seated), Dean Jagger, Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) has Humphrey Bogart portraying perhaps his darkest and most psychologically troubled character. Watching his slow transformation from an honest and idealistic adventurer to a tormented, paranoid psychotic is one of the art's most stunning, dramatically forceful experiences perfectly matched to a magnificent and fatalistically ironic conclusion. My further thoughts on this film are here. This cinematic treasure can be discovered Thursday, February 29 at 9 am PST.
(From left) Walter Huston, Humphrey Bogart, Tim Holt
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 Happy Birthday shout-out to the infinitely talented actress Joanne Woodward, who turns 94 on February 27th.
Since she was very young, all Joanne wanted to do was act. After winning some Georgia beauty contests and graduating from Louisiana State University where she majored in drama, Joanne appeared in some small theatrical productions and studied acting with Sanford Meisner in New York. During her performances in various TV assignments and plays, she met fellow up-and-coming actor and future husband Paul Newman. Joanne made her motion picture debut in Count Three and Pray (1955). Prominent roles that followed (some alongside Paul Newman) were in the motion pictures A Kiss Before Dying (1956), The Three Faces of Eve (1957, a Best Actress in a Leading Role Academy Award Winner), The Long Hot Summer (1958), The Fugitive Kind (1960, costarring Marlon Brando), From the Terrace (1960), Paris Blues (1961), A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966), A Fine Madness (1966, costarring Sean Connery) Rachel, Rachel (1968, directed by Paul Newman and a Best Actress in a Leading Role Academy Nominee), They Might Be Giants (1971, costarring George C. Scott), The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds (1972, also directed by Newman), Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973, another nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role), The Glass Menagerie (1987, again directed by Newman), Mr. & Mrs. Bridge (1990, still another Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role) and Philadelphia (1993).
The Soundtrack recommendation of the month is Cliff Martinez’s dazzlingly ambient score to the 2002 sci-fi marvel Solaris.
This motion picture takes a less languorous approach in adapting Stanislaw Lem’s novel compared to Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 rightfully acclaimed film of the same name. Consequently, the newer version has less of the enigmatic quality that subsumes the Russian filmmaker’s more elaborate predecessor. Still, there is much to admire in this updated retelling, confidently directed by Steven Soderbergh… namely the intellectual uncertainty and emotional catharsis experienced by the main character, authentically portrayed by George Clooney.
Functioning at the highest level is Cliff Martinez’s captivating musical accompaniment which transports all of the mystique of the unknown along with the emotional responses of its characters to both the unearthly present and earthbound past events on display.
The special CD re-issue is from La La Land Records. More information and ordering is available by clicking on the accompanying image.
Hidden Gem #62, 1982’s Split Image has for the first time been issued on home video (other than tape) and is February’s Blu-ray recommendation of the month. Issued by Kino-Lorber, this Region A presentation is currently available at Amazon.com at a 20% discount. Click on the image below for more information and ordering.
Your purchase goes to help our friends at DVD Beaver.
A.G.