The TCM Ten 9/22-9/28 September 21, 2007
Posted by clydefro in : Classic Films , trackback
Kirk Douglas fans, take note. A bit of a slow week overall, but a few rarely shown things, including Douglas in The Juggler. All times are EST and program days begin at 6:00 AM.
Saturday September 22
6:00 AM T-Men (Mann, 1947) - BW-93 mins. - More Mann noir, this time the John Alton-lensed companion to Raw Deal. Like that film, this is released on DVD in numerous crappy editions and TCM’s print probably trumps them all.
5:15 PM Anatomy of a Murder (Preminger, 1959) - BW-161 mins. - One of Preminger’s best, one of Jimmy Stewart’s finest performances and truly one of the best courtroom dramas ever. It’s a tad lengthy (this is Preminger though), but such an astounding piece of cinema that you’ll hardly notice. George C. Scott, Ben Gazzara, and Lee Remick provide fine support. Released on R1 and R2 DVD by Sony/Columbia, but the R1 is full frame and this was shot 1.85:1. TCM should be showing the correct letterbox version.
Sunday September 23
12:00 AM The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg (Lubitsch, 1927) - BW-107 mins. - Lubitsch silent, hopefully TCM will actually show this one instead of bumping it like they did Lady Windemere’s Fan a couple of weeks ago. I don’t think this is available on DVD yet. IMDB lists John M. Stahl, who’d go on to direct Gene Tierney in Leave Her to Heaven, as an uncredited director. Not sure what the story is there, but the film stars Ramon Novarro and Norma Shearer. One of the Lubitsch silents Warner Bros. owns, I believe, as it was made for MGM. WB is so good about releasing classic movies but seems almost completely uninterested in putting out their silents.
2:00 AM Westfront 1918 (Pabst, 1930) - BW-93 mins. - A Janus Films property, meaning Criterion is likely to release at some point. Set during World War I, this German silent was made by G.W. Pabst, director of three films released on DVD in the past year - Pandora’s Box, The Threepenny Opera (both Criterion), and Diary of a Lost Girl (Masters of Cinema). TCM has shown this before, but it’s been several months so I’d advise anyone interested to watch or record this showing if they want to see the film in the next six months or so.
Monday September 24
6:00 PM None But the Lonely Heart (Odets, 1944) - BW-114 mins. - In the annals of Hollywood award history, the two big-time star actors who seem least recognized are Henry Fonda (nominated for two Academy Awards, but forty years apart) and Cary Grant, who only received two Oscar nominations including one for his performance here. Director, playwright, and screenwriter Clifford Odets helmed just two films and his other was the even less-heralded The Story on Page One. I think this is certainly worth watching, for Grant and Odets at least, and it’s surprisingly unavailable on DVD. Made for RKO, and with Warner Bros. controlling the bulk of their library, they presumably own the home video rights in R1.
Tuesday September 25
11:45 PM Champion (Robson, 1949) - BW-100 mins. - Sort of a Kirk Douglas-themed week here. This was his star-making role, for which he received his first of three Oscar nominations. A low-budget grind of a picture, Lewton veteran Mark Robson’s film about a mostly unlikeable boxer’s struggle to succeed was released by United Artists and then wound up with Republic Pictures. The R1 DVD released by Artisan is no longer in print. The Republic library is a mess, but I think Paramount Lion’s Gate controls it in R1.
Wednesday September 26
11:00 AM The Male Animal (Nugent, 1942) - BW-101 mins. - Henry Fonda may be a little under appreciated for his comedic roles. Here he stars as a professor dealing with trustees concerned with a piece of literature Fonda wants to read to his class. Further complications arise when his wife’s ex-boyfriend comes to town for homecoming. Olivia de Havilland co-stars as the wife, Jack Carson is the former football star ex, and Joan Leslie plays de Havilland’s sister. Made for Warner Bros. and not yet on DVD.
Thursday September 27
1:15 PM Ace in the Hole (Wilder, 1951) - BW-111 mins. - After writing about this at length twice, not much else to say. I would recommend that anyone put off by a first viewing try to give it another chance a bit afterwards. Those unwilling to pony up the $40 MSRP for the Criterion DVD can see it for the price of their monthly cable subscription here.
3:15 PM The Juggler (Dmytryk, 1953) -BW-84 mins. - Probably the most anticipated film of the week for me. I’m not sure how rare this or how often TCM shows it, but I’ve been looking out for it since seeing Kirk Douglas in conversation last March and Annette Insdorf mentioned not being familiar with the film and having a hard time finding a copy. Douglas plays a Jewish refugee in Israel having difficulty with the psychological effects of World War II. Not released anywhere on VHS or DVD to my knowledge, Sony currently owns the rights and most likely have no plans to put it out. Orson Welles’ version of Othello airs directly afterwards.
6:30 PM The Bigamist (Lupino, 1953) - BW-79 mins. - Edmond O’Brien is the man of the title, married to both Joan Fontaine and (secretly) Ida Lupino. Off the screen, the man credited with this screenplay, Collier Young, married Fontaine in 1952, only one year after his divorce from Lupino. Is it any surprise that Fontaine was unhappy with her role in the finished film? Lesson: don’t mess with Ida Lupino. The Bigamist was independently made by Lupino’s production company and appears to be in the public domain. Alpha released a DVD in R1, but I’ve not seen it. It can also be watched (or legally downloaded) for free online here.
Comments»
The Juggler (Dmytryk, 1953)
Thanks for the heads up. Never seen this. What a treat.