Summer Under the Stars - Week 2

Hello, dear hearts.

Welcome back! I have for you my picks for week 2 of  TCM's Summer Under the Stars.  Again, it was painful to choose just one film per day, but I managed to do just that (with just one teensy weensy slip-up). And what a week of films!

Here are my picks for August 9 – 15:



SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 | WILLIAM POWELL

5pm PST - THE THIN MAN (1934)

This film is in my Top Five Favorite Films List. It's a must-see. Sophisticated wit, snappy dialogue, oh, and a murder mystery! So many excellent characters flit across the screen and Loy and Powell are sublime.

"I don't like crooks. And if I did like 'em, I wouldn't like crooks that are stool pigeons. And if I did like crooks that are stool pigeons, I still wouldn't like you!"

Psst. I realize I'm breaking my own One Film A Day Rule, but these are wonderful films on the schedule today:

7am PST - DOUBLE HARNESS (1933)
1:30pm PST - I LOVE YOU AGAIN (1940)

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 | CAROLE LOMBARD

3pm PST - MR. AND MRS. SMITH (1941)

This sexy comedy is directed by Alfred Hitchcock. I believe it's not a film that is well-known. I adore this one! Gorgeous to look at and (of course) beautifully directed. Fun from start to finish. Lombard and Montgomery were made for each other. I wish they would have done more films together. And by the way, Gene Raymond is nothing to sneeze at either (You'll get the reference once you watch the film. I hope.*wink*).


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MONDAY, AUGUST 11 | MARLON BRANDO

8:45pm PST - ON THE WATERFRONT (1954)

Where do I begin? The acting (by every actor in this film) is absolutely impeccable.  What was Kazan's secret? He could bring out the gritty, intense, grindingly realistic performances in his actors like no other. Keep an eye out for the heart-wrenching scene between Steiger and Brando in the back of the taxi. And the steamy, passionate apartment scene between Eva Marie Saint and Brando.,

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 12 | ALEXIS SMITH

12:30 am (August 13) PST - THE YOUNG PHILADELPHIANS (1959)

I've only seen this film once before. That was quite some time ago so I don't feel I can give you much insight. I definitely want to watch it again. What I remember most about this film was Alexis Smith's heartfelt role as a frustrated wife.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 | CARY GRANT

9:45am PST - THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940)

Good grief. Too much to write about! Watch this film again and again. You'll catch something new every time. It's sparkling and brilliant. And remember these sage (but true) words from a drunken Macaulay Connor:

"Champagne is a great leveleler... leveleler. It makes you my equal."

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 | CHARLES CHAPLIN

9:30pm PST - CITY LIGHTS (1931)

I have a confession to make. I've never watched this film (runs and hides). I haven't seen it, but I have it on good authority that it's a masterpiece. I've avoided it because I've heard it's a tearjerker and let's face it, I'm a wimp. I am going to square my shoulders and watch it this time around. Who's with me?

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 | FAYE DUNAWAY

9pm PST - CHINATOWN (1974)

I love love (yes, I double love it) this film! A film noir in color. A modern film (neo-noir) set in the early 1900's Los Angeles. Directed by Roman Polanski, written by Robert Towne. It's a mesmerizing film. The acting is immaculate. Dunaway is a master. The costumes are heavenly. If you're as big a fan of noir as I am, I believe you will fall head over heels in love with this one.

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Week 2 complete! If you have a chance to watch these films, I hope you enjoy them as much as I will. Let me know your thoughts on any or all of them, if you wish.  I always love hearing from you, and I could talk movies till the cows come home!
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I will be back next week with my picks for August 16 - 22 next week.

Thank you for being you.

Until next time...

xo

Summer Under the Stars - Week 1

Hello, dear hearts!

If you happen to be a TCM (Turner Classic Movies) fan, then I probably don’t have to tell you that it’s that time of year again. My favorite month on TCM is August, Summer Under the Stars Month. Each day they feature one actor’s work. This year they have a great line-up.

I thought I would offer my picks to you, one film each day to watch or record for later. It was extremely difficult at times to choose just one film a day, but I stiffened my backbone! I won’t always pick the best film, but I am choosing the film that I would watch if I could only watch one per day. For each film I choose, I’ll write a little snippet about it. I thought the best way to tackle this ambitious project was to break it down into one week increments. So, without further adieu…

Here are my picks for August 1 – 8:

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1 | JANE FONDA

6:45am PST - WALK ON THE WILD SIDE (1962)

I have been waiting for this one to be shown on TCM again! It's such a special little gem and not well known. The cast is stellar, as is the directing by Edward Dmytryk. I don't want to give anything away so I'll just impress upon you to be sure to catch this one, you won't be sorry.

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 2 | DAVID NIVEN

7am PST - THE WAY AHEAD (1944)

I will be tuning in to watch this David Niven film for the first time.  This British war film was the first film for Trevor Howard.  I really chose this one because it's directed by Carol Reed. I adore Carol Reed!

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 3 | WALTER PIDGEON

5pm PST – HOW GREEN WAS MY VALLEY (1941)

A perfect John Ford film. Be sure to have your kleenex handy, darlings. It's a tearjerker, for sure.

Maureen O'Hara can bring tears to my eyes like nobody's business. She's so tender-hearted in this film. Walter Pidgeon is understated and extraordinary in his role. I believe you will understand immediately why this film won the Academy Award.
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MONDAY, AUGUST 4 | JUDY GARLAND

7am PST - MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944)

Once again, I was torn when choosing just one film to recommend. Finally, I decided to go with the one I watch over and over. This is a personal favorite of mine. It's a delight to watch this film. And the music! The Boy Next Door is my favorite song in the film. Vincente Minnelli's camera follows Judy around like a lovesick puppy and with good reason, she was never more beautiful. The entire film is gorgeous.

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 5 | BARBARA STANWYCK

5pm PST – BALL OF FIRE (1942)

All you could ever want in a comedy! So fun to watch. Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper are wonderful together, they certainly have chemistry! Also, the other professors are like a who's who of fantastic character actors. A complete joy from start to finish. Not to mention, Barbara's costumes are designed by the one and only Edith Head.

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6 | PAUL MUNI

6am PST – BORDERTOWN (1935)

This is a new-to-me Paul Muni film. I don't have a wide knowledge of Paul Muni films. To be honest, I chose this one because Bette Davis is in it. Also, the description of the film mentions it was used later as a basis for THEY DRIVE BY NIGHT (1940), which I am a big fan of.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the two films compare.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 | JAMES STEWART

10am PST – COME LIVE WITH ME (1941)

This is not the most popular or even the best film offered for James Stewart Day, but I love it. It's not a well-known film, but I feel it's well worth seeing. A sweet and charming film with the added bonus of Hedy Lamarr. Hot tamales!

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 8 | JEANNE MOREAU

11pm PST – THE LOVERS (1958)

I've not seen this film. I have to say I have a soft spot for French films. They can be unpredictable, sad (even though I do love a happy ending), realistic, quirky, beautiful to look at, among many other wonderful qualities. I'm looking forward to this one. I hope you'll let me know if you watch it and what you thought of it.  Jeanne is in the top few of my favorite french actors. The camera loves her.

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Phew! Week 1 complete! I truly hope you will let me know your thoughts on these films. If you watch them, I would love to hear your feedback. More importantly, I hope you have a chance to enjoy these films and perhaps find that you have a new favorite among them.

I will post my picks for August 9 - 15th next week.

Thank you for being you.

Until next time...

xo