The TCM Ten 9/15-9/21 September 14, 2007
Posted by clydefro in : Classic Films , trackback
A good week for smaller, lesser-known movies. Most of the things I’ve highlighted I haven’t yet seen, but that’s part of the fun. All times are EST and program days begin at 6:00 AM.
Saturday September 15
8:00 AM Johnny Eager (LeRoy, 1942) - BW-108 mins. - I’m really not sure why this film isn’t already available on DVD. Van Heflin’s Oscar win alone would make one think that Warner Bros. should have released it a long time ago. Robert Taylor stars as the title character, a racketeer who gets involved with the DA’s daughter, played by a very young and very pretty Lana Turner.
11:30 PM The Mystery of the Wax Museum (Curtiz, 1933) - C-78 mins. - TCM is giving Fay Wray the night to celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday. Two-strip Technicolor was used for this film, as well as the Curtiz-directed Doctor X, which precedes this showing. It was also the original version of Andre De Toth’s better-known House of Wax starring Vincent Price. Stay tuned at 2:30 AM for Frank Capra’s Dirigible, also with the lovely Ms Wray.
Monday September 17
4:00 PM Seven Women (Ford, 1966) - C-87 mins. - John Ford’s final film, about missionary women in 1930s China trying to stave off Mongol bandits and other calamities. Showing in a six-film birthday tribute to Anne Bancroft, who would have been 76. The Pumpkin Eater, at 12:15 PM, and The Slender Thread, at 2:15 PM, both not on DVD, might be worth making time for also. Ford’s film isn’t available on DVD either, with rights controlled by Warner Bros in R1.
8:00 PM Something Always Happens (Powell, 1934) - BW-69 mins. - The first of two back-to-back early Michael Powell films recently unearthed from the Teddington Studios “quickie quota” library. These English-made films were produced for Warner Bros. More detailed information can be enjoyed at John Hodson’s “From the Cheap Seats” film journal.
9:15 PM Crown Vs. Stevens (Powell, 1936) - BW-66 mins. - Another of the Teddington Powell pictures, with Night and the City’s Googie Withers in a supporting role. There are an additional four more movies debuting as part of TCM’s “Lost & Found: Teddington Studios” - one more tonight and three more the following week.
Tuesday September 18
1:00 PM Susan Lenox: Her Fall and Rise (Leonard, 1931) - BW-77 mins. - The star teaming of Greta Garbo and Clark Gable is enough to make this interesting. I’ve never seen a Garbo picture that I unequivocally loved (even Ninotchka), but she was such a dynamic presence that I’d watch her in anything. Made for MGM and not yet released on DVD by Warner Bros.
Wednesday September 19
2:00 AM The 400 Blows (Truffaut, 1959) - BW-100 mins. - Not obscure and not in need of another DVD release (I think it’s the only movie Criterion has released three separate versions of on DVD), Truffaut’s debut film still deserves a mention because it’s something that I think will appeal to those unfamiliar with the French New Wave or Truffaut or Criterion. If you love film, this is an extraordinary experience that requires little contextualizing to enjoy.
Thursday September 20
8:00 PM The Killer That Stalked New York (McEvoy, 1950) - BW-79 mins. - The TCM guide says this will be the channel’s debut showing of this noirish crime drama about jewel thieves and smallpox. It sounds interesting, a little like Fox’s Kazan film Panic in the Streets, and I’ve never seen it. Director Earl McEvoy only helmed three pictures and died at the age of 49. The film stars Evelyn Keyes and features Dorothy Malone. It seems to be unavailable officially on DVD or VHS. IMDB says Columbia distributed the film theatrically so I suppose Sony controls R1 DVD rights?
Friday September 21
6:00 AM The Bamboo Blonde (Mann, 1946) - BW-68 mins. - Anthony Mann again. TCM programmers always seem to show as much of Mann’s work as they can, a welcome choice since he’s still underrepresented on DVD. This one is set during WWII and involves a nightclub singer and a pilot. Frances Langford stars with “This Is Your Life” creator Ralph Edwards and Jane Greer in a supporting part. Made for RKO so presumably Warner Bros. has R1 control.
12:45 AM Mask of the Avenger (Karlson, 1951) - C-83 mins. - I’m afraid I can’t be of much help here, other than pointing out that this film is supposed to air at this time. Director Phil Karlson made some interesting pictures, including Kansas City Confidential and Scandal Sheet, which was adapted from Samuel Fuller’s novel. IMDB only has 14 votes for this particular movie, but the TCM synopsis (Italian nobleman becomes an outlaw to avenge his father’s murder) sounds intriguing and Anthony Quinn stars.
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