odysseus

Not sure I was clear in what I meant. I also would object to banners, etc. during feature films. You are absolutely right about that quality of TCM. I was suggesting it might be an alternative only for shorts and only because there is no schedule for them. Without doubt a schedule would be a better choice. But without a schedule I would be wiling to settle for something onscreen that would tell me what I was watching. I understand completely any aprehension to having banners even during shorts as it takes away from the "old theater days" experience. It would be nice if TCM were willing to do something on the web. Message was edited by: odysseus odysseus

Absolutely agree, Mark. It would also be nice to be able to look on the site and see what shorts played today or yesterday. Another idea would be for TCM to superimpose a "Now Playing:" box at the bottom of the screen so viewers will know what the title of the short is if they didn't tune in at the beginning when the title credits rolled. It would avoid the confusion I've occasionally had when I tuned in a few minutes before a scheduled program and what was on the screen didn't jive with what the schedule said. I've actually caught myself checking to be sure I was tuned to the right channel and looking at the right day on the schedule before it clicks in that I'm seeing an unrelated short.

I agree. I understand "Now Playing" lists shorts in the "Festival of Shorts" series, but I don't know that it lists all shorts. Coincidentally, I saw the last part of a WB Vitaphone short early in the AM this morning (played just before Olivier's "As You Like It") and I would love to know the title. Fascinating '20's dancing.