HITS & MISSES: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow on TCM

[limey]

The Last Wave started early today so my recording did not work.  Westfront 1918 was way off timing the other night too.

 

On the subject of timing being off, both the daily/monthly schedules have A Star is Born starting at 5pm PST, but it actually started airing immediately after ABBA: The Movie at ~4.37pm PST - depending on fillers, the rest of the night's timings might also be slightly different.

[AndreaDoria]

Yesterday afternoon I tuned into "A Picnic at Hanging Rock."  I thought it was going to be a western.  At first I wondered what a bunch of posh English girls were doing in the old west, until some guy called them "sheilas," and I realized they must be in Australia.

 

This was mesmerizing.  My family had to wait for dinner. 

 

The girls are on a school field trip to see the huge  mountain of rock with instructions not to actually try and climb the thing, but of course, four of them do -- with consequences. The haunting music and the beautiful, dreamy photography create a crescendo of horror throughout, but ultimately its a picture of how people respond to fear. 

 

It's based on a true story but largely fictitious.  I'll watch it again if I get the chance.

[LornaHansonForbes]

This was mesmerizing.  My family had to wait for dinner.

 

This is the blurb that should go on the DVD box cover.

Seriously, I'm doubly sorry I missed it now.

[LawrenceA]

Tomorrow night on TCM Imports, I'll be taping A Taste of Cherry, an Iranian film that comes highly recommended.

 

I'd like to have taped The Godless Girl which is on Silent Sundays, as it sounds hilarious, but alas my DVR is too busy as it is.

[mr6666]

tonight's UNDERGROUND's flicks are cool too!

(especially the 1st one)

2:15 AM God Told Me To (1976)

A cop investigates a series of gruesome murders seemingly inspired by God.

Dir: Larry Cohen Cast:  Tony LoBianco , Sandy Dennis , Deborah Raffin .

C-90 mins, CC, Letterbox Format

Article: http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/76543/God-Told-Me-To/articles.html

 

3:45 AM It Lives Again (1978)

An epidemic of mutant monster babies sweeps America.

Dir: Larry Cohen Cast:  Frederic Forrest , Kathleen Lloyd , John Marley .

C-91 mins, CC,

[Bogie56]

Sunday, May 1

 

2:15 a.m.  Taste of Cherry (1997).  This is one of Abbas Kiarostami’s most accessible films for me.

 

[Fedya]

Yesterday afternoon I tuned into "A Picnic at Hanging Rock." I thought it was going to be a western. At first I wondered what a bunch of posh English girls were doing in the old west, until some guy called them "sheilas," and I realized they must be in Australia.

I first saw Picnic at Hanging Rock two years ago when Jacki Weaver (who was in the movie) presented it as part of the TCM Spotlight on the Australian cinema of the 70s and 80s. She was clearly passionate about the movies (not just that one). And yes, Picnic at Hanging Rock is a really good film.

 

For more recent Jacki Weaver, see her excellent Oscar-nominated performance in Animal Kingdom.

[HoldenIsHere]

I first saw Picnic at Hanging Rock two years ago when Jacki Weaver (who was in the movie) presented it as part of the TCM Spotlight on the Australian cinema of the 70s and 80s. She was clearly passionate about the movies (not just that one). And yes, Picnic at Hanging Rock is a really good film.

 

For more recent Jacki Weaver, see her excellent Oscar-nominated performance in Animal Kingdom.

 

I loved TCM's spotlight on Australian cinema.

 

It introduced me to a movie that's now one of my favorites: Gillian Armstromg's STARSTRUCK.

 

 

"Move your mouth like a fish."

[Bogie56]

Monday, May 2

 

8 p.m.  Cinema’s Exiles: From Hitler to Hollywood (2009).  This looks like it could be interesting.

 

[GregoryPeckfan]

Yesterday afternoon I tuned into "A Picnic at Hanging Rock."  I thought it was going to be a western.  At first I wondered what a bunch of posh English girls were doing in the old west, until some guy called them "sheilas," and I realized they must be in Australia.

 

This was mesmerizing.  My family had to wait for dinner. 

 

The girls are on a school field trip to see the huge  mountain of rock with instructions not to actually try and climb the thing, but of course, four of them do -- with consequences. The haunting music and the beautiful, dreamy photography create a crescendo of horror throughout, but ultimately its a picture of how people respond to fear. 

 

It's based on a true story but largely fictitious.  I'll watch it again if I get the chance.

I love your review Andrea.

 

I first saw this movie a few years ago and it freaked me out but I could not take my eyes away from the screen.

[CaveGirl]

I love your review Andrea.

 

I first saw this movie a few years ago and it freaked me out but I could not take my eyes away from the screen.

Me too, Columbo Fan!

 

I love all Peter Weir films, particularly that short one made for Australian tv, called "The Plumber".

 

If you've ever had a handyman in your home who is taking forever to finish the work, you should see this film!

[Bogie56]

Tuesday, May 3

 

Mary Astor day.  Take your pick from some quite rarely seen Astor pictures.

 

1:45 a.m.  Mad Love (1935).  Peter Lorre is amazing in this.  Love those hands!

 

[JamesJazGuitar]

Tuesday, May 3

 

Mary Astor day.  Take your pick from some quite rarely seen Astor pictures.

 

1:45 a.m.  Mad Love (1935).  Peter Lorre is amazing in this.  Love those hands!

 

Thanks for the reminder.   I haven't seen those early 30s Astor films so something new for a change is nice.     

 

As for Mad Love;  Lorre is really good in this film with Colin Clive playing his usual twitchy self.     When Gogol (Lorre) assumes that his statue has come to life I always wanted him to yell out 'it's alive!'.

[Bogie56]

Wednesday, May 4

 

Audrey’s Hepburn’s birthday today.

 

2 p.m.  Wait Until Dark (1967).  Hepburn is terrific in this of course but so are Alan Arkin and Jack Weston.

 

[SansFin]

Love in the Afternoon (1957)

 

Sabrina (1954)

 

 

[speedracer5]

5/4

 

I love Audrey Hepburn so I'm happy to see they're showing a day of her films.  Breakfast at Tiffany's and Sabrina are my favorites of the ones that are scheduled.  I am sorry to say that I didn't care for Love in the Afternoon or Robin and Marian, but I definitely wouldn't begrudge anyone who enjoys these two films.  I'm planning on recording Wait Until Dark as it's one of her films that I haven't seen and every time I try to record it, something happens to my recording.  We'll see what happens this go around.

 

I wish that Funny Face and How to Steal a Million had made the lineup.  I love those two movies.  Perhaps when I get home from work and my walk to the farmer's market, I will have my own Audrey Hepburn birthday marathon and watch those two films.  I'm not sure if I'll be in the mood to watch Wait Until Dark.  That seems like a Friday or Saturday night type film. 

 

My Primetime picks are: The Killers and The Foreign Affair.  I would probably choose Foreign Correspondent too, but I haven't seen that film yet. 

 

Re: 'Foreign Affair,' the first time I saw it, I didn't get it.  I didn't think it was all that great.  Then I saw it a second time, and the second go-around, I liked it.  Perhaps something "clicked." I also really liked Marlene Dietrich and I'm always a fan of Jean Arthur.  I am going to record this film a third time and see how I feel afterward.

[film lover 293]

Wed., May 4th--All times E.S.T.:

 

8:00 p.m.--"The Seventh Cross" (1944)--Original Promo on TCM Screams "Important Actor, Important Book!"; the actual 50 seconds of the film actually shown look interesting--I'll give it a watch.

 

10:00 p.m.--"The Killers" (1946)--Burt Lancaster is too "Golly Gee" naive to believe, IMHO, his girlfriend is a Bore--but Ava Gardner wipes them off the screen without even Looking like she's trying--and Gardner Was Gorgeous and funny.  BTW, she sings with her own voice in this.  

[SansFin]

I wish that Funny Face and How to Steal a Million had made the lineup.

 

 

I share that wish with all my heart. I love them also. How to Steal a Million (1966) holds a very special place in my heart. The virtually magical world shown in: Funny Face (1957) is a complete joy.

[sapphiere]

5/4

 

I love Audrey Hepburn so I'm happy to see they're showing a day of her films.  Breakfast at Tiffany's and Sabrina are my favorites of the ones that are scheduled.  I am sorry to say that I didn't care for Love in the Afternoon or Robin and Marian, but I definitely wouldn't begrudge anyone who enjoys these two films.  I'm planning on recording Wait Until Dark as it's one of her films that I haven't seen and every time I try to record it, something happens to my recording.  We'll see what happens this go around.

 

I wish that Funny Face and How to Steal a Million had made the lineup.  I love those two movies.  Perhaps when I get home from work and my walk to the farmer's market, I will have my own Audrey Hepburn birthday marathon and watch those two films.  I'm not sure if I'll be in the mood to watch Wait Until Dark.  That seems like a Friday or Saturday night type film. 

 

My Primetime picks are: The Killers and The Foreign Affair.  I would probably choose Foreign Correspondent too, but I haven't seen that film yet. 

 

Re: 'Foreign Affair,' the first time I saw it, I didn't get it.  I didn't think it was all that great.  Then I saw it a second time, and the second go-around, I liked it.  Perhaps something "clicked." I also really liked Marlene Dietrich and I'm always a fan of Jean Arthur.  I am going to record this film a third time and see how I feel afterward.

I will watch HOW TO STEAL A MILLION 1966 because I enjoyed the chemistry of Audrey and Peter O`Toole. The film is a Fox feature, and we know how difficult it is for TCM to show their films. The scene in the museum closet and trying to get the key was worth the purchase price for me.Peter was very good in comedic roles even though he did not make many in that genre.WHAT`S NEW PUSSYCAT, MY FAVORITE YEAR, CLUB PARADISE, and KING RALPH are four comedies of Peter`s I have seen.

[GregoryPeckfan]

Audrey Hepburn is my favourite actress, so I enjoy her performances regardless of whether the overall film is a great film. For example, I love her in Robin and Marion, although I is not my favourite film.I have not seen Funny Face in about a year and I would like to see it again. 

 

I am biased as a fan of hers of course in regards to  seeing her films, but I agree that Breakfast at Tiffany's airs quite a lot - even though I love Cat.  I do have the film and can watch it when I want.

 

 

[kingrat]

THE SEVENTH CROSS is an interesting film. This is one of the first American films to mention concentration camps, although clearly no one knew the full extent of the horror. Spencer Tracy, sounding exactly like Spencer Tracy, escapes from one and tries to survive, figuring out who he can trust. I love the brief role played by Agnes Moorehead. Signe Hasso, Hume Cronyn, and Jessica Tandy all make important contributions.

 

Seeing this film helped me understand Fred Zinnemann as a filmmaker. His parents died in a concentration camp. His later film, THE SEARCH, was thus a very personal film. If you see his four films which deal with prison camps (THE SEVENTH CROSS), the war in Europe and its aftermath in America (TERESA), the aftermath of the war in Germany (THE SEARCH), and the behavior of American prisoners (ACT OF VIOLENCE), you will see familiar films like FROM HERE TO ETERNITY and HIGH NOON in a different light.

[GregoryPeckfan]

THE SEVENTH CROSS is an interesting film. This is one of the first American films to mention concentration camps, although clearly no one knew the full extent of the horror. Spencer Tracy, sounding exactly like Spencer Tracy, escapes from one and tries to survive, figuring out who he can trust. I love the brief role played by Agnes Moorehead. Signe Hasso, Hume Cronyn, and Jessica Tandy all make important contributions.

 

Seeing this film helped me understand Fred Zinnemann as a filmmaker. His parents died in a concentration camp. His later film, THE SEARCH, was thus a very personal film. If you see his four films which deal with prison camps (THE SEVENTH CROSS), the war in Europe and its aftermath in America (TERESA), the aftermath of the war in Germany (THE SEARCH), and the behavior of American prisoners (ACT OF VIOLENCE), you will see familiar films like FROM HERE TO ETERNITY and HIGH NOON in a different light.

I knew about Fred Zinnemann's history before I saw his films.  Watching the documentary last night which is airing again now reminded of this.

 

I may have just seen High noon as a regular western the first time I saw it had I not known.

 

Of the films you have mentioned, the only one I have never seen before is The Seventh Cross.

[speedracer5]

I share that wish with all my heart. I love them also. How to Steal a Million (1966) holds a very special place in my heart. The virtually magical world shown in: Funny Face (1957) is a complete joy.

It's interesting how many films Audrey made that are set in Paris.  Even though Audrey isn't even French let alone Parisian, she fits in the Paris scenery so perfectly, she should have had all her films take place in Paris. She's also fortunate in that she was actually in Paris for her films instead of having to pretend like Gene Kelly had to with An American in Paris.  I imagine in Sabrina for her brief foray into Paris, they probably did not film on location, lol.

 

Funny Face is such fun.  Even though Fred Astaire is old enough to be Audrey's father, he has such exuberance and charm in his performance that it's easy to look past the big age difference.  My favorite part is the part where Audrey is modeling all the different fashions while Fred photographs her.  Audrey's clothes are so beautiful and her joy is infectious.  My favorite part of this scene is when she comes down the grand staircase in that gorgeous red strapless column dress.  My other favorite part is when Astaire and Kay Thompson visit the beatnik house pretending to be a couple from Tallahassee, FL and end up singing the "Clap Yo' Hands" song.  I loved Thompson's outfit in this scene. 

 

I also love How to Steal a Million, aside from Audrey's gorgeous clothes, she and Peter O'Toole have such great chemistry.  I also love the 60s caper films, so this makes How to Steal a Million a home run for me.

[sapphiere]

It's interesting how many films Audrey made that are set in Paris.  Even though Audrey isn't even French let alone Parisian, she fits in the Paris scenery so perfectly, she should have had all her films take place in Paris. She's also fortunate in that she was actually in Paris for her films instead of having to pretend like Gene Kelly had to with An American in Paris.  I imagine in Sabrina for her brief foray into Paris, they probably did not film on location, lol.

 

Funny Face is such fun.  Even though Fred Astaire is old enough to be Audrey's father, he has such exuberance and charm in his performance that it's easy to look past the big age difference.  My favorite part is the part where Audrey is modeling all the different fashions while Fred photographs her.  Audrey's clothes are so beautiful and her joy is infectious.  My favorite part of this scene is when she comes down the grand staircase in that gorgeous red strapless column dress.  My other favorite part is when Astaire and Kay Thompson visit the beatnik house pretending to be a couple from Tallahassee, FL and end up singing the "Clap Yo' Hands" song.  I loved Thompson's outfit in this scene. 

 

I also love How to Steal a Million, aside from Audrey's gorgeous clothes, she and Peter O'Toole have such great chemistry.  I also love the 60s caper films, so this makes How to Steal a Million a home run for me.

George C. Scott was originally scheduled to play the art dealer. Eli Wallach replaced him, and he did a very good job.

[LornaHansonForbes]

THE SEVENTH CROSS is an interesting film. This is one of the first American films to mention concentration camps, although clearly no one knew the full extent of the horror. Spencer Tracy, sounding exactly like Spencer Tracy, escapes from one and tries to survive, figuring out who he can trust. I love the brief role played by Agnes Moorehead. Signe Hasso, Hume Cronyn, and Jessica Tandy all make important contributions.

 

 

It is, although it is worth noting- it is dark as hell- but so well done and well-acted; and so well lit (well, underlit, really- lots of shadows in this one, but so well done)- it really qualifies as something of of a war/horror hybrid and would (I'm serious here) make a good double bill with THE RETURN OF THE VAMPIRE- another darkly shadowed mixture of classic horror imagery with the unfolding real-life horrors of war.

 

in re: Tracy's accent, MGM had a habit of doing films set in eastern Europe where everyone has Eastern European names and the support all have some variation of the accent (real or fake)- but the leads are American and speak pure Muncie, Indiana (THE MORTAL STORM, THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER, A WOMAN'S FACE, MARK OF THE VAMPIRE....) . I give him a pass on this because he is otherwise good in the part.