ChipHeartsMovies

Here are some tips for your problem hour, Countess: -Many of the series films like the Blondie movies clock in at just over an hour --- one may fit if you have an extra five minutes -You can always program one of the Robert Osborne interviews -You might do an IMDB search on a favorite star and compile enough shorts to fill the hour ... maybe the star of the next film airing. I did this in the last Challenge with Shirley Temple's Baby Burlesks. -Another idea is to search for a favorite director and do the same thing. Many important directors started their careers directing with short subjects. Others did patriotic shorts in WWII --- William Wyler's *The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress* , at 45 minutes, could help you out. -Laurel and Hardy, Our Gang, The Three Stooges --- all have films of varying lengths -Older silents are another area to explore

Capuchin and helenbaby have really thrown down the gauntlet, folks! Capuchin, very innovative use of "13!"

With all this talk of sock puppets...I had completely forgotten that a couple of years ago I produced an off-off-off-off Broadway production of ... *Sock Puppet Showgirls* . I'm serious. Here's an article on it: http://www.thrillist.com/sock-puppet-showgirls The sock puppets I worked with were the nice kind, though.

Right you are, Lynn. Proving once again that you're not only the most level-headed and diplomatic person in these parts, but also the one most likely to be equally versed in John Wayne, Plato, Wikipedia, Margaret O'Brien, and the stroll-puppets that plague many hereabouts.

I hope everyone chimes in with all the Berlin Wall movies!

Not sure, dianabat. It was either filmlover or Plato. Either way, someone pretty wise. (Or was it Margaret O'Brien? She was AWFULLY precocious!).

Some aspects of your description fit *One, Two, Three* --- Berlin Wall is an important part of the plot, famous leading man (James Cagney), color movie from the 60's. It doesn't quite match the plot you describe, but you might check it out. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055256/

I'll be in Amsterdam in a couple of weeks, by coincidence, and should be visiting the Filmmuseum. I'll try and find out if they have it in their collection. Many titles can be viewed onsite there but are not released commercially.

We're at Weekend #2 of the Challenge! I wanted to offer a word of encouragement to all (and bump the thread up to the top). Many people are trying their hand at this game for the first time, and let me again encourage newcomers to ask questions if something seems unclear or confusing. You can always PM me, but as you saw last weekend posting the question will get you speedy answers from other players who have been here before. Have fun everyone!

LonesomeP, glad to hear it!

You might also try the Filmmuseum in Amsterdam, hey have an extensive collection of European classics, some of which are available to the public. The homepage will come up in Dutch, but you can click "English" on the left side of the page. http://www.filmmuseum.nl/website/exec/fronthomepageread1/bebaajgbhjbi?

And CineMaven, as you know I live in the East Village (one of the most, uh, Bohemian neighborhoods in Manhattan). A bald Black woman wouldn't raise an eyebrow among us locals. Just don't start talking about Gloria Grahame as a complete package in our hipster coffee shops --- or your cover is blown!

Lonesome P, let your creativity run wild on "Location! Location!" Grouping movies by any city or state in the US is fair game. Any city or country outside the US is equally okay by me. And as a previous question alluded, if you come up with four movies set in space stations orbiting the planet, that's pretty darned creative too, and would be welcome. I hope everyone is having fun!

*The Phenix City Story* , please.

I received a question via PM that I thought would be wise to answer to remind all: For Silent Sunday Nights, TCM Imports, and TCM Underground, you can use films from any studio library. You are not restricted to the core libraries, and you do not have to count any of these films as Premieres. Hope that's helpful!

At least your new Spring look will enable you move incognito among the crowds of admirers and the paparazzi that have plagued you since your Fan Programmer pieces aired, CM.

...are we allowed to use films from Paramount and Universal? - CineMaven Only previously-shown films (or public domain?), otherwise, they count as premieres. -patful patful is 100% correct here CM. Just clarifying that a public domain movie is acceptable without counting as a premiere regardless of whether it has previously aired on TCM. The rules of this Challenge (at the beginning of this thread) explain what the deal is on Public Domain, and where the reference library is.

A great suggestion! There are also many Vitaphone shorts that are within the libraries you're allowed (mainly WB), and those unfamiliar with some of the wonderful Vitaphone shorts might enjoy checking them out. Many of the Vitaphone shorts starred vaudeville talent that is hard to find on film elsewhere. Here's a good starting point to check out the Vitaphones: although the links to see the films on this site seem not to work, there's still a great list of shorts and descriptions of their plots --- little gems starring Cab Calloway, the Nicholas Brothers, Lillian Roth, the adorable Sybil Jason, Burns & Allen, Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy, plus Jane Wyman, Ronald Reagan, and even my beloved Judy Garland _at age 6_ (Judy's in *Bubbles* from 1930 --- while she was still named Frances Ethel Gumm!). Your starting point: http://www.doctormacro1.info/Movie%20Summaries/V/Vitaphone%20Shorts.htm IMDb has more complete details on titles that interest you.

You can also find shorts as DVD extras. If, for example, you are programming Mickey Rooney, you can find shorts on the Mickey & Judy DVD box set.

Wow, helenbaby, you move fast! Congratulations on being first. I have a packed day, but I can't wait to read carefully later. One note for all -- generally it's a good idea to post your programming notes as a separate post, as it makes it easier to follow the schedule. But obviously you figured out "13," and your Hawaiian location is envious.

erzbet, since TCM announces its schedule about three months ahead that is some mighty speedy response!

They just said on TV it is going to rain for three more days. CineMaven will be pulling out movies about the Jonestown Flood and Noah's Ark by the middle of the week.

CineMaven isn't overstating the drabness of this day. While the rest of you are likely enjoying the spring, today couldn't be grayer and more dreary in NYC...feels more like November in London. But I'm not complaining, since it got her started! Wonder if it will inspire her to program Frankie and Annette at the beach...or *The Rains of Ranchipur* ?

This morning TCM showed *Knight without Armor* at 8:30 AM. The only other Dietrich on the schedule right now is *Witness for the Prosecution* on Tuesday, May 5. Dietrich films appear periodically on TCM (including the old Paramounts), but the network doesn't have access to many Paramount films without individually licensing them. Rumors abound that as their long-term lease on the Columbia vault expires that they will add many more Paramount and Universal titles to their offerings, but that's a year or two away.

*Blithe Spirit* has not aired on TCM in the past, according to the website. (As a side note, I have a friend who is in the current Broadway revival of the stage version starring Angela Lansbury, and if any of you get the chance to go, it's terrific!). Certainly you should feel free to use *Thirteen Women* ! And if the 13 theme is slowing you down. work on something else for a few days --- maybe you'll see it fresh when you return. Remember everyone, this Challenge is structured so that you have FIVE full weekends (and the weeks between) to work.