"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on current happenings:
Classic film screenings from around the world is back this month but in a very limited edition due to the Corona virus pandemic and its possible last minute affects on actual presentations. The following screenings listed are less likely to be cancelled due to their country’s or presenters’ success in responding to the crises.
In Auckland, New Zealand Academy Cinemas will present First Blood (1982, a 4k restoration) Friday, November 6, The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956, exclusive to Academy Cinemas members and the first of an Alfred Hitchcock retrospective) Saturday, November 7, Rear Window (1954) Monday, November 9 and Friday, November 20, Strangers On a Train (1951) Tuesday, November 10 and Saturday, November 21, Rope (1948) Thursday, November 12 and Saturday, November 21, Psycho (1960) Friday, November 13 and Monday, November 16, Foreign Correspondent (1940) Saturday, November 14 and Tuesday, November 17, Shadow of a Doubt (1943) Saturday, November 14 and Thursday, November 19, a Double Feature of Saboteur (1942) and North by Northwest (1959) Sunday, November 15 and a Double Feature of The Birds (1963) and Marnie (1964) on Sunday, November 22.
For more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding above image. To see the entire month of November’s programming click on the banner above.
Noir City International, the Film Noir Foundation's first virtual film festival, is happening November 13-29, 2020. Presented by the Film Noir Foundation in partnership with AFI Silver Theatre, details for the streaming festival (including film schedule, passes, and the purchase of individual films) are available by clicking on the above image.
There are 23 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
Dick Powell’s Everyman faces a mid-life crisis, including a far more considerable threat to his well being in the form of Raymond Burr’s jealous contractor, in Pitfall, previously recommended here. Pitfall will occur Wednesday, November 4 at 9 pm PST.
Dick Powell, Lizabeth Scott
My next two recommendations both concern influential spirits from the past:
The first has an other worldly apparition but could hardly qualify as possessing a "horror" or even "haunted" theme, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, one of the most beautifully touching love stories ever brought to film. This incredibly moving drama is reviewed here. The romance will commence Thursday, November 5 at 5 pm PST.
Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison
Immediately following is Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo, loaded with multi-faceted insights and hidden rumination on human relationships, providing viewers with much to ponder long after its tale of romantic obsession ends. This cinematic treasure was previously opened here, and will avail its visual and aural riches Thursday, November 5 at 7 pm PST..
Kim Novak
Those who associate the name Sam Peckinpah with a strong dose of cinematic violence might be surprised to see the elegiac Ride the High Country, one of his early and finest westerns with far less than the usual amount of physical conflict portrayed by the maverick director. This is Top Ten Western #4 and will ride into TCM territory Friday, November 6 at 3 pm PST.
Randolph Scott as Gil Westrum (on the left) and Joel McCrea as Steve Judd
Lee Marvin stars in the explosive and stylish thriller Point Blank. I find it fascinating that Lee Marvin's badass Walker, with the high body count he seems responsible for, doesn't directly kill anyone in the entire picture. "Was it a dream?" You be the judge when Point Blank, first lauded here, hits TCM Saturday, November 7 at 1:30 pm PST.
Lee Marvin as Walker “walking”
My next TCM recommendation is Nora Prentiss whose title character is portrayed by Ann Sheridan. This formidable film noir, previously reviewed here, is certain to make a striking impression Monday, November 9 at 3 pm PST.
Kent Smith, Ann Sheridan
Also from 1947, director Michael Curtiz brings inspirationally to life the unsuspectedly stylish film noir The Unsuspected, previously reviewed here, Tuesday, November 10 at 6:15 am PST.
Claude Rains
My next two TCM recommendations are not only romance films with two of the same cast members (Paul Henreid and Claude Rains), they were both produced by Hal Wallis and share screenwriting duties by Casey Robinson.
Now, Voyager is up first and displays the greater romantic fireworks of the two, presented with fervour, maturity and elegance. Previously reviewed here, Now, Voyager will set sail Tuesday, November 10 at 10:30 am PST.
Immediately following, 1944's Academy Award Best Picture Winner Casablanca will air which I criticised in my review here, for its emotionally underwhelming Parisian flashback, partly due to the fact that we did not see the romance develop before these rather lukewarm scenes took place. There is, however, no denying the fact that this film casts a magical spell and is certainly capable of sweeping one up in its appealing blend of romance, sacrifice and political intrigue. This 1942 classic, one of Hollywood's proudest, arrives Tuesday, November 10 at 12:45 pm PST.
Viewers who dare to have their imaginations stretched considerably should be rewarded Where Eagles Dare, previously reviewed here and appearing on TCM’s radar Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30 pm PST.
(From left) Clint Eastwood, Richard Burton
Believe it or not, once again this month we have Hidden Gem #10: They Won't Believe Me (1947), with its fascinating, twisted plot and antithetically noir central character. This was my very first entry (linked here) for the Cinema Cafe Site with some kind words from the "Czar of Noir" himself, Eddie Muller, in the comments section below the review. If you're a noir fan and haven't seen this unusual motion picture, please believe me, you don't want to miss this major opportunity. The next film to emerge from the TCM shadows will air Thursday, November 12 at 5 am PST.
Jane Greer, Robert Young
Also repeating from last month’s lineup is Todd Browning's shockingly bold and terrifying 1932 film, Freaks, previously reviewed here. They will appear on TCM Friday, November 13 at 5 pm PST.
Don't miss Nicholas Ray's character study In a Lonely Place with Humphrey Bogart perfectly cast as Dixon Steele whose unpredictable explosions of anger make him a prime suspect for the killing of a young ingénue. This highly probative film noir, previously recommended here, is scheduled to arrive Saturday, November 14 at 11 am PST.
(From left) Humphrey Bogart, Don Hamin
Director Howard Hawks excelled at capturing the exciting elements in all genres: gangster films, Scarface (1932), film noir The Big Sleep (1946) and westerns Red River (1948) just to name a few. Offering further proof of this is the hilarious Bringing Up Baby, previously reviewed here. The antics will begin on TCM Sunday, November 15 at 8:45 am PST.
Next up is a more realistic and far less glamorous alternative to the James Bond world of espionage, The Ipcress File, previously reviewed as a Blu-ray selection here. One will know why I chose the heading "Now Listen to Me..." for my monthly column after seeing this film. The spying will begin Sunday, November 15 at 5 pm PST.
(From left) Michael Caine and Nigel Green
Next are 2 features back-to-back starring Humphrey Bogart.
Despite its ridiculously hard to follow plot, this film's wildly entertaining detective yarn is worth getting up for. Previously reviewed here, The Big Sleep will awaken Tuesday, November 17 at 11:45 am PST.
Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart
John Huston's The Treasure of the Sierra Madre immediately follows, is indeed an unforgettable American treasure and a prior TCM recommendation here. Its cinematic riches can be uncovered on TCM Tuesday, November 17 at 2 pm PST.
(From left) Humphrey Bogart, Tim Holt
TCM will air The Marx Brothers’ masterpiece Duck Soup, featured as one of this year’s earlier recommendations here. War will be declared Sunday, November 22 at 6:30 pm PST.
Then there is Howard Hawks' magnificent western Red River. This is Top Ten Western #6 about the opening of the Chisholm Trail used after the Civil War to drive cattle from Texas to Kansas. It stars John Wayne portraying one of his least heroic characters most earnestly. The drive will begin Monday, November 23 at 5 pm PST.
John Wayne, Coleen Gray
Many of the films first listed as "Hidden Gems" are not so hidden anymore thanks to those companies releasing them on DVD and Blu-ray in addition to their regular showings on TCM. One of these is Hidden Gem #59, The Hill, an intense dramatic achievement, as is the late Sean Connery’s performance. I've previously reviewed this film here. The Hill can be marvelled at on TCM Thursday, November 26 at (early morning) 12:15 am PST.
(From left) Sean Connery, Harry Andrews
A film that severely rocked the Production Code in its time was Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 horror sensation Psycho, previously reviewed here. The terror will begin Thursday, November 26 at 11:30 pm PST.
A fascinating but uneasy mix of various genre tropes comprise poverty row Monogram Pictures’s big budget foray into the studio big leagues: 1946's film noir Suspense.
This noir’s triangular relationship curiously mirrors Columbia’s Gilda released only several months later. While Gilda is the more fulfilling, polished and therefore intriguing of the two films, Suspense conjures up some striking impressions of its own. British skating star Belita was also Monogram’s rising star for a few years and in Suspense, her skills on the ice are on fire. You see, she’s also the star of this film’s “The Ice Parade”, a revue featuring spectacular sets, colourful costumes and magnificent musical numbers. Her husband, played by Albert Dekker, is the show’s impresario whose sinister demeanour will later become more than just a facade. Enter the uncouth, down and out Barry Sullivan with a dubious history who’s hired as the show’s peanut vendor but has bigger ambitions which, after a spell of promotions, include Dekker’s wife. Then there’s Bonita Granville whom Sullivan abandoned in Chicago, still carrying the torch. She arrives on the scene making threats to expose Sullivan’s sordid past. The fact that Sullivan’s character is presented as purposely unsympathetic but still in possession of such identifiably noir motives, is one of the film’s courageous strengths. So is Dekker’s commanding characterisation of slowly consuming jealousy which leads to an eye-catching snowbound assassination attempt. There are other visual wonders to behold, plays with light and shadows amidst ominous set designs like the pendulum swinging lamp anticipating a similar effect employed in the film noir Desperate (1947) and Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960). Finally there is the final presence of character actor Eugene Pallette with his unmistakable raspy signature sound who lends further distinction to the proceedings.
Belita
Unfortunately, a few elements are ineffectively developed and resolved, such as Belita’s vapid feelings toward Sullivan, the aforementioned threats made by Bonita Granville’s character, and a physical confrontation between two of the male characters toward the conclusion that goes unnervingly unseen. As impressive as the film’s “showstoppers” are, they can’t help but be just that: Belita’s spirited showcasing minimises the film’s darker “behind the scenes” exploits… until the last icy performance that is: an inspired integration of ‘Daliesque’ death defiance with deadly intent. This penultimate act not only delivers on the title’s promise, it foreshadows noir’s final vow ***(Spoiler Present)*** of our anti-hero’s deathly demise. Stars Sullivan and Belita would team up again in Monogram’s more resolute film noir The Gangster (1947). Frank Tuttle directed from Philip Yordan’s original screenplay with cinematography by Karl Struss and music by Daniele Amfitheatrof. Suspense will occur on TCM (updated) Friday, January 5 (2024) at 11:15 am PST.
Suspense is also November’s DVD recommendation, listed as the last entry in this column.
My last TCM recommendation this month is star Jimmy Cagney's most formidable foray into noir, White Heat. A criminal's mother-fixated pathology and the undercover cop trying to catch him are the topics of this previous recommendation here. TCM's screen will heat up Monday, November 30 at 2:45 pm PST.
(From left) James Cagney, Edmond O'Brien
TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above TCM related images.
This month's Happy Birthday shout-out goes to Sandy Descher who turns 75 on November 30th.
She is perhaps best known for playing the catatonic child in the sci-fi giant ant thriller Them! (1954). This film’s director, Gordon Douglas “discovered” Sandy while she was vacationing with her parents in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was filming The Charge at Feather River (1953) and asked her parents about a part for Sandy in his film. Since the family was travelling back to California, the offer was declined, however, they called the director some time later. Sandy also made childhood appearances in The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954, as Vicki the daughter of Van Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor), 3 Ring Circus (1954, as a crippled child with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis), The Prodigal (1955, with Lana Turner), The Cobweb (1955, with Richard Widmark and Lauren Bacall), The Bottom of the Bottle (1955, again as Van Johnson’s daughter), The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956, this time as Gregory Peck’s daughter), The Opposite Sex (as June Allyson’s daughter Debbie) and the cult sci-fi favourite The Space Children (1958, directed by Jack Arnold). Sandra additionally had recurring TV roles on The New Loretta Young Show (1962-1963), The New Phil Silvers Show (1964) and My Three Sons (1961 - 1964) as well as guest appearances on Crusader (1956), Wagon Train (1958), The Real McCoys (1961) and Perry Mason (1966).
Sandy Descher in Them!
November's Soundtrack recommendation is Maurice Jarre's frightfully intense and foreboding score to 1990's Jacob's Ladder.
Even though it is clear that Jacob’s Ladder is intent on not being clear (unlike, say, 1999’s The Sixth Sense when all is said and done), the numerous nightmarish scenes of supernatural danger that befall our main character Jacob Singer, played by Tim Robbins, start to take on a common degree of alienating abstraction (horrifyingly palpable as they are) making their effect repetitious, stifling the narrative’s progression. Themes of interest, such as failed covert medical experiments on military personnel and the sever aftereffects of combat, are hinted at but left undeveloped, not to mention negated altogether by the film’s somewhat cop-out conclusion. As a result, the “Ladder” can seem more like a step stool. We know and are reminded of how unpleasant these thoughts/events are but other than that, due to their highly metaphysical nature, they don’t contribute much to Jacob’s identify.
So, like some other films reviewed on this site, it is left to the composer to add dimension and lay the emotional groundwork so that hopefully what will be remembered amounts to more than just some dominant images… more like imagery with a purpose. Maurice Jarre’s score goes some way to provide just that: an unorthodox, otherworldly and yet at times, intimate soundscape, one that infuses a much needed personal quality to Jacob’s, and therefore the viewer’s, experience.
Quartet Records and Studio Canal are making this expanded, remastered soundtrack available as a limited edition. This 2-CD set is now available from Intrada Records. More information including international ordering can be obtained by clicking on the accompanying image.
November’s DVD recommendation is to the above reviewed Suspense which can currently be owned at a budget price from Amazon.com by clicking on the accompanying image.
A.G.