"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on current happenings:
Classic film screenings from around the world this October include:
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present Night of the Living Dead (1968) Monday, October 3 and Tuesday, October 11, The Exorcist [Extended Cut] (1973, a 35mm print) Wednesday, October 5, Monday, October 17, Saturday, October 22, Sunday, October 30 and Monday, October 31, Manhunter (1986, a 35mm print) Thursday, October 6 and Wednesday, October 26, Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992, a 35mm print, in celebration of this film’s 30th Anniversary) Friday, October 7, Wednesday, October 12 and Saturday, October 15, Re-Animator (1985) Wednesday, October12, The Mummy (1932) Saturday, October 15, The Thing (1982, a 4k presentation, in celebration of this film’s 40th Anniversary) Friday, October 28, Saturday, October 29 and Sunday October 30, and Seven (1995, a 35mm print) on Saturday, October 29.
Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see October’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.
The 400 Blows
Breathless
Isabelle Hupert
In New York City, New York, Film Forum is continuing with The 400 Blows (1959, a new 4k restoration) Friday, September 23 – Thursday, October 6. Also being shown is Breathless (1960, a 35mm print, as part of an In Memoriam to Jean-Luc Godard) from Monday October 3 - Thursday, October 6.
ISABELLE HUPPERT is being presented from Friday, October 7 - Thursday, October 27: A series of films starring the French actress. Just a few of the highlights include Every Man for Himself (1980, a 35mm print) Thursday, October 13, Friday, October 14, Monday, October 17 and Saturday October 22, and The Lacemaker (1977, a DCP restoration) on Sunday, October 16, Monday, October 17 and Monday, October 24.
To receive more information on The 400 Blows or Breathless, click on the corresponding image above. For the complete programme to the ISABELLE HUPPERT series, click on the appropriate image. For information on all of the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present a double bill of Twisted Nerve (1968, an IB Technicolor 35mm print) and Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting (1969, an IB Technicolor 35mm print) Tuesday, October 4 and Wednesday, October 5, Seven (1995, a rare Silver Retention 35mm print) Friday, October 14 at 2 pm only, Vertigo (1958, an IB Technicolor 35mm print) Friday, October 21, Saturday, October 22 and Sunday, October 23, Re-Animator (1985, a 35mm print) Saturday, October 22 at Midnight only, Breakdown (1997, a 35mm print) Friday, October 28 at 2 pm only, and The Exorcist [Director’s Cut] (1973, a 35mm print) on Saturday, October 29 at Midnight only.
Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of October’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
Death of a Cyclist
The Mother and the Whore
American Dream
In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will be presenting Death of a Cyclist aka Muerte de un ciclista (1955) Wednesday, October 5 and Sunday, October 16, The Mother and the Whore aka La maman et la putain (1973) Thursday, October 13 and Friday, October 14, and American Dream (1990, as part of a tribute to the San Sebastian Film Festival’s 70th Anniversary) on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16.
Click on the respective film’s image for more information on each screening. To discover more of October’s programming including films playing in Alicante, Spain at the Arniches Theater, click on the banner image above.
Frankenstein
The Bride of Frankenstein
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present Frankenstein (1931) Wednesday, October 5 and Sunday, October 9, and The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) on Wednesday, October 5 and Wednesday, October 12.
For more information on each film’s showing, click on the appropriate movie image above. For more information on the other films being presented at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting The Thing (1982, in celebration of this film’s 40th Anniversary) Sunday, October 9 and Wednesday, October 12, and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) on Sunday, October 23 and Wednesday, October 26.
Click on the poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.
In Melbourne, Australia The Astor Theatre is presenting a double bill of Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992, in celebration of this film’s 30th Anniversary) and Fright Night (1985) Monday, October 10, Psycho (1960, a 4k presentation) Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16, a double bill of Dr. No (1962, a 4k presentation) and From Russia with Love (1963, a 4k presentation) Saturday, October 22, and a double bill of Goldfinger (1964, a 4k presentation) and Thunderball (1965, a 4k presentation) on Sunday, October 23.
Click on the appropriate image for more information on these screenings. To see the rest of October’s schedule, click on The Astor Theatre banner above.
American Psycho
The Changeling
In Los Feliz (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Los Feliz 3 Theatre will present American Psycho (2000) Wednesday, October 12, Thursday, October 13 and Friday, October 14, and The Changeling (1980, a new 4k restoration, presented by Cinematic Void and Severin Films, and a Q&A with filmmaker Peter Medak and producer Joel B. Michaels plus Filmmaker Peter Medak and producer Joel B. Michaels will be signing copies of Severin Film’s brand new UHD/Blu-ray/CD release of THE CHANGELING preceding the film. Severin Films will have copies for sale onsite.
For more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding above image. To see the entire month of October’s programming including other films showing at both the The Los Feliz 3 theatre and MUBI Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (also part of greater Los Angeles), click on the American Cinematheque banner.
Noir City will take place in Washington D.C. from Friday, October 14 - Thursday, October 27. “Film Noir Foundation founder Eddie Muller, host of TCM's Noir Alley, will introduce screenings on the festival's opening weekend, Oct. 14–16. Film historian Foster Hirsch will introduce screenings Oct. 21–23.”
Click on the poster image for more information.
In Auckland, New Zealand Academy Cinemas is presenting Starship Troopers (1997, as part of Academy Cinemas' Paul Verhoeven Director Spotlight October 13th - 18th) Saturday, October 15, Flesh + Blood (1985, as part of Academy Cinemas's Paul Verhoeven Director Spotlight October 13th - 18th), Tuesday, October 18, L’Argent aka Money (1983, an Auckland Film Society screening for Auckland Film Society members) Tuesday, October 25, and No Country for Old Men (2007, in celebration of this film’s 15th Anniversary) on Tuesday, October 25.
To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of October’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.
In Stockholm, Sweden The Stockholm Concert Orchestra will present Gladiator (2000) with live musical accompaniment featuring Hans Zimmer’s exciting score on Saturday, October 15 with two seperate performances at 2 pm and 7 pm.
Click on the above image for more information.
In theatres across the U.S., TCM and Fathom Events is presenting In the Heat of the Night (1967, in celebration of this film’s 55th Anniversary) Sunday, October 16 and Wednesday, October 19, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992, in celebration of this film’s 30th Anniversary) Sunday, October 23 and Thursday, October 27, and a double bill of Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954) and Phantom of the Opera (1943) on Saturday, October 29.
Click on the film’s respective poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.
The Invisible Man 1933 / The Invisible Man 2020
In Los Angeles, California Secret Movie Club is presenting at the Secret Movie Club Theater a double bill of The Invisible Man (1933) and The Invisible Man (2020) plus a Q & A with the 2020 film’s director Leigh Whannell between features on Saturday, October 22.
For more information on this special screening, click on the appropriate movie image. To discover other screenings organised by this group, click on the above theatre image.
The Bride of Frankenstein
In Destin, Florida The Sinfonia Gulf Coast will present The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) with live musical accompaniment featuring Franz Waxman’s exhilarating score on Saturday, October 22.
Click on the above image for more information.
Hocus Pocus
In San Francisco California The San Francisco Symphony will present Hocus Pocus (1993) with live musical accompaniment featuring John Debney’s gorgeous score on Tuesday, October 25.
Click on the above image for more information.
Take the Skin and Peel It Back: Halloween by Cronenberg
In Vancouver, British Columbia, The Cinematheque will be presenting Take the Skin and Peel It Back: Halloween by Cronenberg from Thursday, October 27 - Wednesday, November 2. “This Halloween season, hold onto your guts as The Cinematheque serves up four body-horror classics by the godfather of the subgenre, plus a pay-nothing screening of his newest “new flesh” think piece, Crimes of the Future (2022).”
For more information about the titles and showtimes, click on the top image above. For these and other films scheduled this month at The Cinematheque, click on the theatre banner above.
There are 25 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
One of cinema’s most quintessential performances can be seen in 1947’s Possessed by the film’s star Joan Crawford. Crawford’s thorough commitment is bolstered by the actress, along with the film’s director Curtis Bernhardt, having visited several psychiatric hospitals observing patients and interviewing doctors regarding the script’s authenticity. Possessed is a prior TCM recommendation here, and can be thoroughly absorbed Monday, October 3 at 7:15 pm PDT.
Joan Crawford
Although starting out as quite the common man, circumstances will turn this rather nondescript accountant played by Edmond O'Brien, into a kind of noir superhero in D.O.A. previously recommended here. This "dead man running" will seek justice with a vengeance on TCM Tuesday, October 4 at 9:15 pm PDT.
Last month, I recommended, and linked to a past review of, Casablanca, which I criticised for its emotionally underwhelming Parisian flashback. Prior to this film, however, Casablanca's producer Hal Wallis and one of its contributing writers, Casey Robinson, made Now, Voyager where the romance witnessed from start to finish comes alive with fervour, maturity and elegance. Previously reviewed here, Now, Voyager will set sail on Saturday, October 8 at (early morning) 3 am PDT.
If I was in charge of choosing a single film noir for someone only willing to see one in the entire canon, I would select Double Indemnity as its most fulfilling and accomplished representative. It has been previously reviewed in Opening Up a Treasure: Double Indemnity. Thoughts of adultery, greed and murder will manifest themselves on TCM Saturday, October 8 at 1:15 pm PDT.
In the U.K. town of Midwich, strange children with mysterious origins are behaving badly. Find out just how bad when the chilling Village of the Damned, previously reviewed here, airs Sunday, October 9 at 11:45 pm PDT.
One of the horror genre’s most influential entries has to be George A. Romero’s 1968 cult classic Night of the Living Dead, a previous TCM recommendation here. The day to watch out for is Tuesday, October 11 at (early morning) 2 am PDT.
Barbara Stanwyck stars as a devoted wife trying to save her husband (played by Barry Sullivan) but equally determined to match wits against killer Ralph Meeker in order to do so, in the previously recommended (here) noir, 1953's Jeopardy. This life or death struggle will commence Wednesday, October 12 at 6:30 am PDT.
Ralph Meeker, Barbara Stanwyck
Top Ten Western #8 High Noon, is a simple but tightly constructed narrative, one of the few that unfolds almost completely in real time. This western shows how to build suspense and character synergistically to create a most genuine and satisfying cinematic viewing experience. The showdown will arrive on TCM Thursday, October 13 at 5:30 pm PDT.
Gary Cooper
Despite a rather tepid relationship at this story’s centre, film noir fans shouldn’t cheat themselves out of seeing The Man Who Cheated Himself, restored by The Film Noir Foundation and UCLA Film & Television Archive and a previous Blu-ray recommendation here. TCM will air this nifty little noir Friday, October 14 at 4:45 am PDT.
Jane Wyatt, Lee J. Cobb
Next is one of film noir's finest, Gun Crazy, previously reviewed here. Noir's most distinguishing feature, a focus on their criminal participants' psychology, marks a major shift regarding motive. In the earlier "gangster" films, money and power provided enough reason for the pursuit of illegal gains whereas in noir, the internal cause behind the action is paramount, and runs so much deeper... and darker. See for yourself, Friday, October 14 at 8:30 am PDT.
Does anyone notice anything peculiar in this shot considering this film was made during the Production Code?
A film well worth seeing is Network (1976), previously reviewed here. This “mad as hell” exposé of just how far some TV executives will go to exploit for profit, a former news anchor’s severe “on the air” mental breakdown, will itself air on TCM Friday, October 14 at 5 pm PDT.
MGM's 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain was not adapted from a theatrical production, though the film was later turned into one, being first presented on stage in 1983. Its abundant creativity, innovation and driving energy place this film at the top of all cinematic musicals ever produced. Singin' in the Rain has been reviewed as a past Blu-ray selection here and will joyously dance its way onto TCM Friday, October 14 at 9:15 pm PDT.
(From left) Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly
Next up is The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, a previous TCM recommendation here. Viewers can realise a wealth of emotion by tuning in Sunday, October 16 at 8:30 am PDT.
Alan Arkin, Sondra Locke
One of Steve McQueen’s most iconic characterisations appears in Bullitt, reviewed here. Bullitt will speed its way onto TCM Sunday, October 16 at 5 pm PDT.
One of Alfred Hitchcock’s more uncustomary, yet distinguished, offerings is I Confess, previously reviewed here, featuring an intense, introspective performance from Montgomery Clift. This highly engrossing confessional can be heard (and seen) Monday, October 17 at 3:15 pm PDT.
Anne Baxter, Montgomery Clift
After the dramatic seriousness of the above 3 TCM recommendations, it might be nice to indulge in a light-hearted and charming Christmas holiday treat: Ernst Lubitsch's The Shop Around the Corner.
James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan
Beneath an inventive situation comedy veneer, however, lies a serious underlying message regarding relationships and how concepts often get in the way of a more fulfilling union based on care and concern for one another. The Shop Around the Corner, previously praised here, will open Tuesday, October 18 at 11 am PDT.
Woody Allen’s most personally heartfelt film Manhattan (1979) may still be his finest. Previously reviewed here, interested viewers can decide for themselves Tuesday, October 18 at 6 pm PDT.
Also in this month’s lineup is Todd Browning's shockingly bold and terrifying 1932 film, Freaks, previously reviewed here. They will appear on TCM Thursday, October 20 at 4:30 am PDT and again on Tuesday, October 25 at 3:15 am PDT.
Many experts have claimed that this next TCM recommendation is the first identifiable film noir made in the U.S. and released during the category's classic time period (1940 - 1959): Boris Ingster's 1940 Stranger on the Third Floor. Viewers can glean just how many of noir's stylish traits are inherent in this film by reading my brief review here. If you're a noir fan and have never seen this little RKO gem, be a stranger no more Saturday, October 22 at 9 am PDT.
Noir photographic artistry care of Nicholas Musuraca
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 was previously recommended here and will be investigated Wednesday, October 26 at 3:15 pm PDT.
(From left) Humphrey Bogart, Don Hamin
James Garner, Rod Taylor and Eva Marie Saint star in the intriguing “Mission Impossible” prototype espionage thriller 36 Hours, previously reviewed here. The hour to watch will occur Friday, October 28 at 7:15 am PDT.
(From left) Rod Taylor, James Garner, Eva Marie Saint
This will be a really bad day for anyone who encounters Them! (the giant mutant ants that is). The motion picture, however, is an exhilarating creature feature, previously reviewed here. Them! will march on TCM Friday, October 28 at 1 pm PDT.
Joan Weldon, Nuclear Mutated Ant
One of the horror genre's finest achievements is The Innocents, reviewed here. You'll have a chance to see this extraordinary film Friday, October 28 at 7:15 pm PDT.
(From left) Pamela Franklin, Deborah Kerr
Rarely does an atmosphere of such overpowering dread subsume a cinematic story so completely as it does 1943's The Seventh Victim. A young woman (portrayed as a fetching innocent by Kim Hunter) goes searching for her missing sister (enigmatically played by Jean Brooks) in New York City's Greenwich Village and stumbles upon a satanic cult of devil worshipers, putting both of their lives at risk. Mark Robson, who directed a number of these Val Lewton produced gems, is himself at the peak of his considerable creative powers. This devilishly striking combination of horror and film noir was a previous TCM recommendation and reviewed here. The fate of both sisters will be determined Sunday, October 30 at 11:45 am PDT.
Jean Brooks
“You will have a real face.”
Now comes France's finest entry in the horror genre, Georges Franju's Les yeux sans visage aka Eyes Without a Face.
This is also a previous TCM recommendation here. Although the subject matter is as gruesomely shocking as can be imagined, it rises far above your common slasher flick. Gore is kept to a minimum. Its main characters' tragic desires, along with their feelings, are the focus. Eyes Without a Face depicts its events in a mature, elegant and refined fashion. The resulting contrast between the horrific choices and their resulting victimised subjects along with the shadowy surroundings and resigned sadness of our title character, create a most unsettling and lasting impression. This artistic masterwork can be seen with one's own eyes Monday, October 31 at (early morning) 1 am PDT.
TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above TCM related images. For those who live in parts of the U.S. other than the western region, the time zone can be adjusted in the upper right-hand corner of TCM's programme.
The Soundtrack recommendation for the month is Ennio Morricone's enthralling score to what was intended to be the third entry in a trilogy starting with Conan the Barbarian, Red Sonja.
Thank goodness the music is as exciting and creative as it is, because without it, this film would have all the sophistication of kids playing dress up.
Morricone has not held back in delivering a thunderous procession complete with choir, eerie passages that evoke mystery, exciting cues of risk-taking exploits, and an intricately layered love theme.
This inspired score has been released twice before but never in such a definitive fashion. Quartet Records, in collaboration with Studio Canal, is presenting this newly expanded and remastered edition containing all of the music from the original album in stereo, plus the complete score in mono (from the only elements available). Click on the accompanying image for more information including ordering from Intrada Records.
This month's Happy Birthday shout-out goes to the highly honoured stage and screen actress Joan Plowright, who turns 93 on October 28th.
Her impressive array of screen credits include Time Without Pity (1957), The Entertainer (1960, recreating her co-starring role with Sir Laurence Olivier in the original London production of John Osborne’s play), Uncle Vanya (1963), Three Sisters (1970), Equus (1977), Britannia Hospital (1982), Brimstone & Treacle (1982), Revolution (1985), Drowning by Numbers (1988), The Dressmaker (1988), I Love You to Death (1990), Avalon (1990), Enchanted April (1991), Last Action Hero (1993), Dennis the Menace (1993), Widows’ Peak (1994), Jane Eyre (1996), Surviving Picasso (1996), Tea with Mussolini (1999), Callas Forever (2002), Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont (2005) and The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008).
In 1961, Plowright married Laurence Olivier after his marriage ended to actress Vivien Leigh, and in 1963, she became closely associated with his work at the National Theatre. The couple remained married until Olivier's death in 1989.
This month’s current Blu-ray recommendation is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941), released earlier this year for the first time in this format by Warner Archive and previously reviewed as a past TCM recommendation here.
Click on the video image below for more information and a current 31% discount in ordering from Amazon.com
A.G.