TopBilled
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Posts posted by TopBilled
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A friend of mine who worked for years at MGM says that the practice is for TCM to use MGM and WB/First National titles and RKO titles first. Films from Fox and Universal/Paramount require much more negotiation. This same friend is not really a fan of the SUTS program because he feels that they have pretty much exhausted MGM, WB and RKO titles for that series and they have a harder time getting access to titles outside. This is why we are lucky to get a day of Jean Gabin films or the one Fox day, like we had this year devoted to Linda Darnell.
I think we are seeing the same problem now with the 31 Days of Oscar. They are not getting the titles they used to get before, and so they are replaying a lot of the same titles and thus, it looks like they are recycling the old schedules.
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You are so right. I do not think the programmers are being thorough and really looking at the entire available catalogue.
I am really surprised, Oscars or no Oscars, that the '29 version of THE LETTER has not aired. It was released not long ago through the Warner Archives and a special broadcast of it would drum up business, would probably increase sales of the disc exponentially.
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I haven't seen ANGELS OVER BROADWAY, so I am eager for that film to air.
THE BANK DICK is definitely a gem and recently aired on Cinemax. It pops up again on TCM a few more times in the near future.
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I guess we can keep our fingers crossed and keep hoping (and hoping). Anything that brings some of them out of the vaults and into our living rooms.
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I love these two together. I think they make a great screen couple. I didn't realize they did six films together at Columbia:
THE LADY IN QUESTION (1940)
ADVENTURES OF MARTIN EDEN (1942)
FLIGHT LIEUTENANT (1942)
DESPERADOES (1943)
THE MATING OF MILLIE (1948)
MR. SOFT TOUCH (1949)
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Yes, it is very interesting. I cannot believe I had never heard of her before this thread...
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Hi Swithin,
I would agree that TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINE is due another showing. In fact, I think there should be an evening consisting entirely of Sylvia Sidney films and I would definitely include this one.
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>Any movie which has endured longer than the lifespan of its original negative is classic because some person or corporation considered its merit was so great it was worth the time and money to preserve it. To endure for generations past its origin as an ephemeral work is the definition of a classic.
I am going to agree. I think this is the best post on any of these boards in a long time. You hit the nail on the proverbial head.
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Need to not take the bait. LOL
Edited by: TopBilled on Nov 11, 2011 5:01 PM
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Then it sounds like she will remain mostly forgotten.
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Thanks, Fred. Gotta' love publicity stunts!
Have any of her surviving films been shown on TCM? One article says she had a bit part in Pickford's SECRETS and that has aired. But what about films where she starred? In some vault somewhere I bet.
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>Did you notice that Bette suddenly lost her original exaggerated phony voice during the late-1920s nightclub scene, but regained it later in the film?
My guess is that they filmed that scene first, then someone decided she should do the accent for the rest of the film.
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Disagree. It is not that hard to be creative. Plus, with all these great titles to choose from, there are a lot of combinations that can be done for many years. If it is a matter of them not having the rights to many films that have been nominated for Oscars, then maybe it's time to retire the concept. Because in that case, it is becoming like AMC when they could no longer acquire the titles they once had access to...and it was time for a new channel to come along.
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Hi calvin,
A good magician never reveals his secrets. LOL
One thing I want to add is that there is no reason to keep fans of the channel in the dark about important broadcasts on the schedule.
If they are going to show a rare classic three, four or even five months from now and they know it (the rights are already secured), then wouldn't it behoove them to tip their hand early? Think of all the free advance publicity they get from those of us who excitedly blog about an upcoming premiere on TCM and post about it on Facebook. It's a win-win for them and us.
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Both clore and sprocket have had excellent responses in this thread. This is a case where the apologists and defenders will have to be more creative with their answers.
There is more than enough time to figure out what type of print is going to be shown. And to advertise it correctly.
Also, saying that TCM has to show pan-and-scan or else there will be a hole in the schedule causes me to chuckle. No, they can (and probably do) plug the holes with another showing of SEVEN DAYS IN MAY.
I am waiting for the day that SEVEN DAYS IN MAY has an immediate encore showing and airs back-to-back. Imagine the discussion that will occur on these boards!
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Agree with all the other posters. This is the kind of movie that you want to introduce to someone who is not into classic film, because it will blow their socks off.
The ending is one of the best in film history. Powell and Francis are a dream, and truly, this selection should be shown as part of a double-feature with JEWEL ROBBERY.
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In this thread, I think we are getting confused with how the character was perceived on paper and how Bette Davis' casting works against it. The original story is fine...the casting is not. This would've worked much better if it was Joan Fontaine doing a slightly neurotic female. Bette goes a little over the top and her ugly duckling face only makes the mismatch more obvious. It works against the story and makes the film as a whole less effective than it should've been.
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>It's interesting. Frequently, whenever you or someone posts an upcoming schedule well in advance, the Administrator posts that it's not final and is subject to major changes. But it never does change much, does it? Maybe just a tiny bit? Perhaps the Administrator is the Boy Who Cried Wolf! What do you think, Mr. Administrator, can we expect big changes to February? I hope so.
Yes, I do not understand why we have to be so cautionary about it. Once it appears on the TCM database, that means the schedule is set. Of course, there will be a few last-minute changes regarding rights issues, or pre-emptions when a famous celebrity dies and a quick memorial tribute is substituted. But for the most part, the schedule is already set. There's really no need for a disclaimer in my opinion.
>I've been in the programming business for many, many years and know that sometimes it's easy to recycle. To present a program in one series, then when you have another series in which the same progam fits, you find it easy to slot it in and justify it by the fact that it's a different series. I've done it on occasion, even though I felt like I was cheating. But the proposed February schedule goes a bit overboard in that regard, I think.
I completely agree with your last sentence here. I think the programmers are getting lazy. It is too easy to throw in three or four epics and then end the evening with GONE WITH THE WIND, and call it a day on TCM. This was probably the easiest, most recycled monthly schedule they have done in quite some time. Shame on them.
In this thread, I have posted the many best picture nominees that have been overlooked. Too many of them if you ask me. And I am not even mentioning films that were not nominated for best picture, where a lead performer walked away with top acting honors. So we are talking at least two hundred classic films that have been scrapped in favor of SEVEN DAYS IN MAY and SOME LIKE IT HOT, both which will air several more times by summer.
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Thanks for the link to this great article!
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This is a riddle, right? LOL
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>I would assume that TCM is waiting for the brand new restoration of WINGS, which was completed just a few months ago.
Disagree. They could show the current version in February, then later in the year and in 2013 show the restored version. There is no need to wait to see WINGS again on the schedule, especially since it is a vital part of American film history.
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One of the best posts on this thread!
I like how you made some strong points showing the faulty logic of the OP but remaining respectful. Thanks for setting that example.
I also agree that the argument is more about the airing of modern classics.
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I hope for your sake that it turns out the way you want it to...but I think most of these titles are set. I would not expect more than 5 percent of what I have posted to change. Drastic or not.
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We know a fairly good portion of it. I think TCM needs to try harder to get those Paramount films from the 30s...and I mean more than just the stuff directed by Ernst Lubitsch, more than the stuff starring Carole Lombard (though there are a lot of her films that don't get shown).
And when was the last time a Deanna Durbin flick aired on TCM? It seems like it's been too long. We need more Universal films...more than the horror selections.
As for films in the Warner Library, I am very surprised that they are not showing GRAND HOTEL. Come on, an opportunity to show a Garbo flick, and they are not doing it? What ever on earth are they thinking? LOL
February Schedule & 31 Days of Oscar
in General Discussions
Posted
The geography theme is a bit different, yes. They have to keep finding new ways to get the same old faithful group watching the same old titles again and again.
I have nothing against what you label 'tentpole classics.' But they do need to sprinkle them throughout the month, with as many premieres as possible. Then there are those titles that would not technically be considered premieres but which have been shown very infrequently. Dust them off! Air them!
Back to the subject of rentals and libraries, because TCM is part of the Time Warner group, they do have a 'library' of sorts to choose from...when the guest programmers come on board, they are given a list of available titles. That is why I applaud loudly when someone like Cher shows up and thinks outside the box and picks HOBSON'S CHOICE. Because even within that list of available titles, there are films that are usually neglected.