filmlover

WOW! You've only just got started with the 5th entry and the schedules are outstanding. It's gonna be one heck of a chore choosing a winner...thus far. Thanks, Mongo. Truer words were never spoken. Hey, Mongo, you should contribute a schedule. You are extremely knowledgeable and we haven't been graced with a schedule from you in any of the Challenges so far. I know many other members would love to see one from you. And as to path40a, we all owe him a great round of thanks for creating the very first TCM Challenge.

...if and when RO decides to retire, I'd be delighted to see Leonard Maltin become one of the regular hosts. Gad, when I read this, it was just before I was heading off to bed for the night. And just as they say you shouldn't eat or watch something unsettling on TV before bedtime because you will have a bad night's sleep, such a suggestion filled me with dread. I couldn't even drop off for about half an hour, worried that such a thing might actually come to be. As you can tell, I am not a fan of Leonard Maltin. Robert Osborne is a great professional and delivers his intros and exits with style and just the right amount of ease and charm. I find Maltin's style too much in your face, and as far as his expertise, well, I remember hearing somebody once questioned how he could give some film such a bad rating in one of his annual movies on TV books, and his reply was that he didn't see the film and that his staff does a number of the reviews. I have a few DVDs that have him introducing the features on the DVD and I have to skip right by them. His whole presence upsets me and I am glad WB doesn't use him anymore. Since he is mostly on the Disney DVDs, and I get very few of those, I feel better. One of the thoughts I had last night before I was able to finally get to sleep after reading the dread suggestion of him being a replacement for RO (or him even being on TCM) was, "I didn't think anything could ever make me give up TCM, but that would do it." I post this as my opinion only, because I can't stand the man. I was also surprised that his book on movies on TV became the standard because it was an imitation of a movies on TV review book by Steven H. Scheuer that was on sale for a number of years in competition with Maltin's was, and Scheuer's started his first in the mid 1950s, a decade before Maltin started his.

Hi, cinemascope, while your suggestion makes sense, I am certain filmhistorian considered every possibility when composing the schedule. I say compose because each person who puts so much of themselves into creating an entire week's schedule has to come up with the right flow of film and theme in each of his or her valuations. I know from each schedule I wrote that there were so many times I wanted to include more films but had a limited amount of space and time to include so many film choice possibilities. I think it important that each person be allowed to put together the schedule they envision on TCM while working within the requirements of planning in all the regular features such as Silent Sundays, TCM Underground, etc. that are in the first page instructions.

I just want to say how impressed I am so far by all the entries, including 4 incredible schedules by first timers to the TCM Challenge. And there are still 25 days to go before the Challenge closes. Plenty of time for more of you to enter.

filmhistorian, a perfect week! Great job! The first laugh I got was "Sunday Afternoon with George". I couldn't help but think of the Sondheim musical, "Sunday in the Park with George", but I guessed if you called it "Sunday in the Dark with George", it might have deeper, unsettling implications, lol. I enjoyed your transitions from one theme or star into another. Worked very, very well. And I can't think of any actor who deserves Star of the Month more than Jack Lemmon. And Naked City is not only an excellent addition for 2007's The Essentials, it is a wonderful lead-in to your tribute to Barry Fitzgerald. I am startled when I realize that there hasn't been a Debbie Reynolds boxset yet. Your choices for it are excellent. I love that you say the imaginary boxset would include commentary, home movies, and the Private Screening interview. Marvelous job, filmhistorian.

With regards to the individual Bond movies now being available on DVD, I got suspicious when I saw one place selling them today for about $6.99. It turns out that the individual titles out now are single DVDs, instead of the 2-DVDs for each movie in the boxsets. So it means you do not get the extra features. My advice is buy the Ultimate boxsets.

Matt, as always, a great schedule. All of it is filled with wonderful themes. I was glad to see one of the Wagner's Ring Trilogy, Siegfried, included. I saw it or the rest of them a number of years back though a museum. If memory serves me right, weren't they directed by Fritz Lang? And I really got a kick out of "Like They Can Really Play That Piano". You could have even extended the theme to include all those films with stars as violinists. I have to admit Ann Corio is a new name to me. Thanks for doing this highlight to her. The "Woodenest" salute was a hoot. And the Gildersleeve boxset is terrific. I didn't realize there were so many movies made of GG. You always come up with unusual and fascinating themes that enhance our knowledge and appreciation of old movies. Congratulations on a job well done.

I used to have several sets of movie star trading cards, some from the silent days and others into the Thirties and Forties. You will be surprised to learn that back then it wasn't though bubble gum packs, but, rather, as individual cards in cigarette packs.

Hi, everyone, Still having troubles with my computer but it has allowed me to log on, at least temporarily, this morning. It could still kick out at any moment, but before that happens... I've been meaning to post in this extra incentive to scheduling your week of TCM programming. As previously mentioned, the schedules that get the most votes will win prizes (TCM is generously donating t-shirts, hats, etc., and I am going to be including DVDs and other movie-related items). I also want to announce that I am going to donate an additional prize for the person who comes up with the best imaginary DVD boxset that is incorporated into their schedule (Rule #3 in the instructions). So there will be a vote for best Challenge schedule and a separate vote for best imaginary boxset incorporated into that schedule. Even if your schedule doesn't win, you might still win for the imaginary boxset part. SPECIAL NOTE: Your entry MUST consist of BOTH (a week's schedule AND a boxset), as those who have already posted their schedule here have done. No boxset entry without a schedule. filmlover

Hi, Spencer, Click on the "First Post" link above. All the details are there. I hope you will join in. Everyone is welcome, so check out the very first post in this thread if you would like to be part of the fun. filmlover.

Sweetsmell, it's a great schedule. Really glad to see you have entered it. I am a great fan of Howard Hawks so your tribute to his early work is something I would watch. And I always love any schedule with film noir. One question, in your salute to "Maverick Directors", it might be helpful to mention who they are for each film because I don't know who they are and I am sure others would like to know. The Robert Ryan boxset sounds like a great idea. One other thing that is always good is to list a few notes about your choices, let us see why you picked what you did, and anything special you want us to know about your schedule.

Due to problems with my computer at home, I will probably not be able to look in in this thread until Monday morning when I am back at work. Good luck to all and I hope to see more schedules posted. Have a great weekend!

Lovable: Don Knotts in The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, Cameron Diaz in There's Something About Mary, and Lassie (in Lassie Come Home?) when he is limping but still carries on. Memorable: George C. Scott as Patton, Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird, and Bogart as Charlie Allnut in The African Queen (not my favorite HB film by any means, but still a memorable performance).

CN is crap now. They hacked out all the classic cartoon stuff for the most part. Now you're lucky to see any WB cartoons or a Tom and Jerry Cartoon. Makes me a little sad inside. I don't know about that. I've discovered their Boomerang Channel is showing a great many of the old Popeye cartoons, about 90 min each day. A large number of the b&w Popeyes have had color added to them, but they also run each day (I think it is each day) The Popeye Show where they show the black and whites as they originally were and also provide history on the cartoons inbetween. Boomerang also shows WB cartoons.

kubrick, never feel ashamed. Everyone on these boards comes in with knowledge that none of the rest of us knows. Some are learning and there is no shame in that. Others, like myself, have been around an eternity and have just had more time to see more films over the years (sometimes more years than I want to remember, sigh).

I regret you are not sticking wih it, kubrick. I know it is always intimidating the first time. But don't forget. you still have almost four more weeks to post your completed schedule. It can be a lot of fun. Take a look at Dewey, Sweetsmell, and SinatraFan's schedules. All three are posting for the very first time, just as you are.

Dewey, What an incredible schedule! Great job! I see that I would be recording all week. You've picked a number of my favorites, too: Cyd Charisse, mysteries, and more. Your schedule is full of imaginiation and wit (love "Stars Behind Bars" and "Cyd Charisse: The Legs Went On Forever"). Excellent choices for Take Five and I would definitely buy your DVD set. Congrats all around!

Hi, everyone, due to computer problems I am having at home, I will be unable to look at the board or make any replies until Friday morning when I return to my work computer.

Hi, Kubrick, Actually, I was hoping that the creation of a box set to premiere with two movies on the schedule would be one of the fun things to do. Each time a person get s a chance to host this competition, they can pick some new thing to incorporate into the week. In the past, other Challenge hosts have request astrological signs as ways to program a night, Guest Programmers from the dead, holidays, serials planning, etc. I just thought since Robert Osborne often introduces a special movie or two sometimes and promotes a new boxset they are in, it might be fun to carry that over into the schedule. And I feel I need to add, so I don't look like some petty dictator, I know you have sincerely wanted to post a schedule and that is why I have spent so much time helping you so much here and in PMs. I know this is your first schedule but please don?t stress so much over it by trying to rush it. I understand that eagerness. I want you to be able to take part. I know it is quite an undertaking when you may never have seen a schedule before. We have all had to find our way. So when you wrote that you were stressing out because you didn?t know any silents or foreign films, I sent you links to them. And when you wrote that you didn?t know any cartoon titles, I tried to help there, too. I know you were hoping to post your draft but it didn?t have any TCM features (The Essentials, TCM Underground, Silent Sunday Nights, TCM Imports, Cartoon Alley, Star of the month, etc. nor the five Hollywood films, nor the box set), and that is why I was mentioning to you that you needed to rework your schedule a bit and showed you where you need to insert them, just as I explained that only 5 Premieres are allowed this time and that the 12 you had was too many. (In actual fact, the Challenge normally only allows 2 Premieres). I only mention all this because I am beginning to feel like a poor Moderator, and more like I am creating a schedule. I?ve wanted to host a Challenge, because 1. it is an honor, and 2. I finally get to rest for a month because I am supposed to introduce the contest rules and clarify occasionally where need be, lol. However, I feel I am doing a great injustice to others who are creating their schedules completely from scratch. I feel the need to repeat what I have said in PMs and here...you have until March 7th, so please take your time and look at others as they post their schedules, study them and understand what you are doing is coming up with a regular week of TCM programming. Look at the requirements in the first post on this thread. They are basically the same that have served all the Challenge posters for each of the previous four Challenges. This Challenge is about having fun, so don?t stress.

Know the feeling, was home for a few days with a flu or a cold about three weeks ago. Not fun. If it wasn't for movies from TCM, I might go nuts with daytime TV. Feel better.

sweetsmell, take your time, you have until March 7th. Oh, one thing, the schedule week starts on Sunday at 6AM, so all you have to do it copy and paste to move the Sunday to the beginning. It's really shaping up.

Definitely, just use the edit button next to the left of the reply buttons for your post with the schedule. All your ideas sound wonderful. "p/s" stands for "previously scheduled". Usually only listed when one lists a movie with a studio that is out of the norm for TCM, so that way it is known not to be "Premiere". No need to list p/s for films that fall within the studios in Rule #1. A sample would be: 8:00 PM Frankenstein (Universal, 1931) 70 min. p/s 9:30 PM Casablanca (WB, 1942) 103 min. Wow, I can't believe I missed Blue Dahlia a few years ago on TCM. The last time I saw this film was a few decades ago. I hope it gets released on DVD. And, yes, you're right, it does count since it was on TCM. And, please, you didn't make mistakes. There is just so many little fine details sometimes that I can still forget something when I do mine. Doing a schedule is an incredible amount of work. That's why I am always stunned after being exhausted from just doing one week when I think the TCM programmer does this 52 weeks a year.

Hi, sweetsmell, It is starting to look really good. You will still need to add daytime hours (you are scheduling one full week, 24 hours a day). Take a look at SinatraFan's entry below. You should include studio, release year, and running time, too. filmlover

lol, sorry, didn't mean to sound "wrathful". lol, somehow when I hear that word, I get an image of me looking like Mitchum, with "L-O-V-E" on one hand and "H-A-T-E" on the other.

For the first time in the Challenges, I'm having a hard time coming up with premiers. But I've found many films that TCM owns that may seem like premiers, since they own, but have never shown them. Matt, anything that WB turned out prior to 1950, or any of the Columbia, etc., mentioned in rule #1 are yours to insert where you like. It doesn't matter that they haven't been on TCM before, you don't have to count them as part of your five Premieres. You can use studios like Paramount or Universal or any others not mentioned in Rule #1 for your Premieres. So, for example, you could even schedule 5 great film noirs from Universal, or any kind of mix you want.