"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on current happenings:
Happy Valentine’s Day (Saturday, February 14th) Everyone!
Classic film screenings from around the world this February include:
Ninotchka
In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will present Ninotchka (1939, as part of their BILLY WILDER series) on Tuesday, February 10, Thursday, February 12 and Saturday, February 14.
Click on the film’s image for more information on this 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 the Paranimf of the Universitat Jaume I, and in Alicante Spain at the Arniches Theatre, click on the banner image above.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present a double bill of Pretty Maids All in a Row (1971, a 35mm print) and High School Girl (1974, a 35mm print) on Thursday, February 12, and Friday, February 13.
Click on either of the poster images for more information on this presentation. To see the rest of February’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
In Culpeper Virginia, The Library of Congress at the James Madison Building Pickford Theater is presenting Flamingo Road (1949, a 35mm print) on Thursday, February 12.
Click on the poster image for more information on this film’s screening. To see the rest of February’s schedule, click on the Packard Campus image above.
Dead Reckoning
In Hollywood (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Egyptian Theatre will present Dead Reckoning (1947, a Nitrate print, as part of ‘American Cinematheque’s Nitrate Film Festival 2026’ along with an Introduction by Alan K. Rode) on Friday, February 13.
For more information on this programme, click on the film image above. To see the entire month of February’s programming including other films showing at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (also part of greater Los Angeles), and The Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz (also part of greater Los Angeles), click on the American Cinematheque banner.
Noir City will take place in Seattle, Washington from February 13 - February 19.
From the Noir City Site:
Noir City showcases the best in film noir. Programmed by Eddie Muller—Film Noir Foundation founder, Turner Classic Movies host, and "Czar of Noir''—this celebration of the film noir genre is a beloved annual event.
Entering its 18th year, Noir City Seattle returns to SIFF Cinema Downtown February 13-19. Your host for opening weekend: Eddie Muller! Seattle author Vince Keenan will take over hosting duties Monday through Thursday. All Noir City Seattle films this year will be screened in a digital format.
To see Noir City’s complete schedule, click on the poster image above.
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present Casablanca (1942, a 35mm print) on Saturday, February 14 and Wednesday, February 18, Brief Encounter (1945, a 35mm print) Sunday, February 15, Mulholland Dr. (2001, a 35mm print) Sunday, February 15 and Wednesday, February 18, Vertigo (1958, a 4K presentation) Monday, February 16, Heat (1995, a 35mm print) Thursday, February 26, and The Battle of Algiers (1966) on Friday, February 27.
* Note: Some of the 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.
In Detroit, Michigan The Redford Theatre will present Casablanca (1942, a 35mm print) on Saturday, February 14.
Click on the top image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Redford Theatre banner above.
Before Sunrise
In San Francisco, California, The Roxie Theatre will present Before Sunrise (1995, a 35mm print, as part of its BROKEN HEARTS CINEMA CLUB series) on Saturday, February 14.
For more information on this showing, click on the movie image above. For more information on the other films being presented at The Roxie, click on the theatre picture.
In Hollywood (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The Vista Theater will present All That Heaven Allows (1955, a 35mm print) on Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15 both dates at 10 am only.
To discover more about the screening of All That Heaven Allows, or the other films playing this month at the Vista Theater, click on either of the above images.
The General
In Lyon, France the Institut Lumiere is presenting The General (1926, with Piano accompaniment by Didier Martel, as part of its FILM CONCERTS AND SILENT FILMS series) on Sunday, February 15 at 2:30 pm only.
Click on the film image above for more information on this screening. Click on the Institut logo for all of the films showing this month.
All About Eve
Mutiny on the Bounty
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present All About Eve (1950, a 35mm print) Sunday, February 15 and Thursday, February 26, and Mutiny on the Bounty (1962) on Wednesday, February 18.
* Note: Some of the showtimes are matinees only.
For more information on either film’s showing, click on the respective movie image above. For further information on the other films presented at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, as part of this film’s 65th Anniversary) on Sunday, February 22 and Wednesday, February 25.
Click on the poster image for more information on this screening. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.
In Como (part of greater Perth) Western Australia, The Revival House will present Fargo (1996, a 35mm print, as part of this film’s 30th Anniversary) Wednesday, February 25 and Sunday, March 1, and Primal Fear (1996, a 35mm print, as part of this film’s 30th Anniversary) on Thursday, February 26.
Click on the respective poster image for more information on these screenings. To see the other films showing this month, click on the theatre banner above.
In Auckland, New Zealand, Academy Cinemas is presenting Casablanca (1942) on Wednesday, February 25.
To obtain more information on any of this programme, click on the poster image. To see February’s complete schedule, click on the Academy banner above.
In Sydney, Australia The Ritz Theatre will present L'Avventura (1960) on Thursday, February 26.
Click on the film image for more information on this screening. For other films playing at The Ritz Theatre, click on the banner above.
Days and Nights in the Forest
In New York City, New York, Film Forum is presenting
Days and Nights in the Forest (1970, a New 4K Restoration) from
Friday, February 27 – Thursday, March 12
Click on the film image for more information and on the Film Forum banner for other motion pictures playing this month.
These are the reviewed films showing on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. for the remainder of this month:
Anyone who wishes to enjoy the Holiday spirit might want to pay a little visit to Ernst Lubitsch's The Shop Around the Corner (1940), previously reviewed here. The festivities will begin Monday, February 9 at 11:15 pm PST.
James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan
Director Don Siegel's follow-up to Dirty Harry was a little crime caper that comparatively few took notice of perhaps because its title didn't suggest anything too exciting on the cinematic menu. The fact that it starred the often comedic Walter Matthau may have also contributed to the public's confusion over just what kind of film Charley Varrick was. U.S. TCM subscribers unfamiliar with this motion picture have the chance to find out Wednesday, February 11 at 7 pm PST. It is also a previously reviewed Blu-ray recommendation here.
Andy Robinson
One of David Lean's more ambitious projects may have turned out less artistically accomplished than its director intended. Still, it has many attributes making Doctor Zhivago well worth seeing. Afterwards, I'd be truly appreciative if readers had a look at my review here. This epic scale romance will begin on TCM Thursday, February 12 at 5 pm PST and again on Saturday, February 21 at 9 pm PST.
Many readers have taken me to task for my inclusion of Casablanca on a list of “All that Glitters…”: The Overrated. I would simply ask that they read what I wrote about this revered classic before judging me too harshly. There is much to praise about the film contained in my review and the weaknesses I've noticed are, I feel, worthy of consideration. In any event, please indulge in this motion picture's magic and let me know if my observations have merit. The journey begins Saturday, February 14 at 9 pm PST.
If I was in charge of choosing a single film noir for someone only willing to see one in the entire canon, I would select Double Indemnity (1944) as its most fulfilling and accomplished representative. It has been previously reviewed in Opening Up a Treasure: Double Indemnity. Thoughts of adultery, greed and murder will manifest themselves on TCM Sunday, February 15 at 9 am PST.
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 Sunday, February 15 at 3 pm PST.
Faye Dunaway
After directing Colorado Territory (1949), Raoul Walsh’s very next film retained all of that film’s energy and even added some for White Heat (1949), previously reviewed here. TCM's screen will heat up Sunday, February 15 at 5 pm PST.
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 Tuesday, February 17 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 18 at 7:15 am PST.
Ginger Rogers
One of the most intelligent and illuminating documentaries ever produced is Robert Epstein's 1984 feature The Times of Harvey Milk previously reviewed here and making another rare showing on TCM Thursday, February 19 at 1 pm PST.
(From left) Harvey Milk, George Moscone, Dan White
Driving Miss Daisy (1989) is an Academy Award winning film from the ‘80s briefly commented upon here, and will show Friday, February 20 at 5 pm PST.
Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy
Rain Man (1988) is another Academy Award winning film from the ‘80s briefly commented upon here, and will show Friday, February 20 at 7 pm PST.
(From left) Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise
Next is David Lean’s magnificent 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia which will appear Saturday, February 21 at 8:30 am PST. I wrote a brief review here in response to some members of our chat room (all readers are encouraged to join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/902349343110685) who also shared their thoughts on this important film.
Peter O'Toole
Next, is a cinematic portrait of a powerful historical female leader, Cleopatra (1963), previously reviewed here. Her reign will begin Saturday, February 21 at 12:30 pm PST.
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 Wednesday, February 25 at 1 pm PST.
I have more to say on Spencer Tracy’s performance, compared to a few others who have played the same part, in an article seen here.
Spencer Tracy
What better way for film lovers to celebrate cinema's diversity after watching a serious drama like the previous selection, than to partake in the light-hearted, almost make-believe world of a Princess' Roman Holiday (1953)? One can indulge in this delightful fairy tale, previously reviewed here, Thursday, February 26 at 5 pm PST.
Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck
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 (1942) where the romance witnessed from start to finish comes alive with fervour, maturity and elegance. Previously reviewed here, Now, Voyager will set sail Friday, February 27 at 8:30 am PST.
Top Ten Western #6 is Howard Hawks' 1948 Red River reviewed here. This is one acutely observed, character-driven western you don't want to miss. The drive will begin on TCM Saturday, February 28 at 11 am PST.
(From left) John Wayne, Montgomery Clift
Anthony Mann’s laser-like focus on his characters’ deep-rooted psychological clashes of will makes this film noir western exhilarating, tension-filled and one of extreme efficiency and excellence. 1953’s The Naked Spur, previously reviewed here, will be shown on Saturday, February 28 at 1:30 pm PST.
(From left) Millard Mitchell, Robert Ryan, Janet Leigh, Ralph Meeker
TCM's current schedule can be seen by clicking on any of the above TCM related images. To confirm the correct Pacific Standard (West Coast) showtime information, subtract 3 hours from the Eastern Standard (East Coast) showtime listed on TCM’s schedule.
February's Soundtrack recommendation is 1984's The Razor's Edge. Composer Jack Nitzsche provides all of the grandeur and thematic beauty one could anticipate.
(To be continued… ) A.G.